Press
October 9, 2023
October 5, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sarah Kriger Hwang
Phone: 414-273-0800
Email: shwang@r-t-w.com
Renaissance Theaterworks has some Magic up their Sleeves with WITCH
Renaissance kicks off their season with a devilishly fun comedy
September 18, 2023 (Milwaukee, WI)- Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) opens their 31st season with the bitingly dark comedy, WITCH by Jen Silverman, October 22nd - November 12th with preview performances on October 20th and 21st, at the Theater on 255 S Water Street in Milwaukee’s Harbor District. WITCH will be directed by RTW’s Artistic Director Suzan Fete and features an impressive ensemble cast of Marti Gobel, Neil Brookshire, Reese Madigan, James Carrington, Joe Picchetti and Eva Nimmer. Tickets are available on r-t-w.com 24 hours-a-day, by phone at 414-278-0765 or in person at the box office, 255 S. Water St., from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and 2 hours before performances. Full list of performance dates, times and special shows below.
Play Synopsis
A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her – and then returns again – unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.
The Return of Milwaukee Favorites
WITCH is going to be a reunion of Milwaukee favorites. In 2019, RTW produced Silverman’s play THE ROOMMATE which was also directed by Fete and featured Gobel, and it was one of the most well received shows that season by both audiences and critics. “We had a great time doing THE ROOMMATE and we were thrilled that audiences felt the same.” says Fete “Now that we’re on the other side of the pandemic we sense that audiences want to come to the theater and really enjoy themselves. They can expect to laugh heartily with our production of WITCH.”
Not only does Silverman’s dark wit flourish in the hands of Fete, she has assembled a powerhouse of talent to bring this story to life. “We’re so excited to be working with Marti [Gobel] again, on another play by Jen Silverman.” says Fete. “And joining her is some of the best talent around. Neil [Brookshire], Reese [Madigan], James [Carrington], Joe [Picchetti] and Eva [Nimmer] are all so gifted and wonderful to work with. This is the cast you will not want to miss!”
The cast should sound familiar to RTW audiences, because everyone has been in a previous RTW production. Gobel has been seen in numerous shows with RTW including NEAT, THE VIOLET HOUR and CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY. Brookshire was in THE VIOLET HOUR and PHOTOGRAPH 51. Madigan was last seen in the acclaimed RUSSIAN TRANSPORT. Carrington was in the powerful production of THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL. Picchetti made an impact in PHOTOGRAPH 51. And lastly, Eva Nimmer commanded the stage in ACTUALLY.
Cast
ELIZABETH SAWYER…………………………………Marti Gobel*
SCRATCH……………………………………………….Neil Brookshire*
SIR ARTHUR BANKS ………………………………….Reese Madigan*
CUDDY BANKS……………………………………...…James Carrington*
FRANK THORNEY……………………………………..Joe Picchetti
WINNIFRED……………………………………………...Eva Nimmer
Production Team
DIRECTOR……………………………………………… Suzan Fete
PRODUCTION MANAGER & STAGE MANAGER.… Bailey Wegner*
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR……………………………… Tony Lyons
LIGHTING DESIGN……………………………………..Noele Stollmack**
SCENIC DESIGN…………………………………...…..Jeff Kmiec**
SOUND DESIGN……………………………………….. Josh Schmidt**
COSTUME DESIGN…………………………………… Amy Horst
PROP DESIGN………………………………………… Olivia Bastien
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY…………………………….Jamie Cheatham
MOVEMENT DESIGN………………………………….Jayne Regan Pink
INTIMACY DIRECTION…..……………………………Jennifer Dobby
SHOW MASCOT………………………………………..Rowena Theadora Witch
*Member of Actors' Equity Association
^Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers
** Member of the United Scenic Artists of America
Playwright/Director/Cast Biographies
Jen Silverman PLAYWRIGHT
Jen Silverman is a playwright, novelist, poet and screenwriter. Jen’s plays include Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties (Woolly Mammoth, MCC, Southwark Playhouse London); The Moors (Yale Rep, Playwrights Realm); The Roommate (Humana Festival, Williamstown, Steppenwolf, South Coast, Long Wharf) and Witch (Writer’s Theatre, Geffen, Huntington). Jen’s plays have been produced internationally in Australia, the UK, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, and elsewhere. Jen is the author of the debut novel We Play Ourselves and the story collection The Island Dwellers (Random House) and the poetry chapbook Bath, selected by Traci Brimhall for Driftwood Press. Additional work has appeared in Vogue, The Paris Review, Literary Hub, Ploughshares, the Yale Review and elsewhere. Jen wrote The Miranda Obsession as a narrative podcast for Audible/ Vice, starring Rachel Brosnahan. Jen is a three-time MacDowell Fellow, a member of New Dramatists, and an Affiliated Artist with New Georges, Clubbed Thumb, Space on Ryder Farm, and the Playwrights Center. Honors: The Helen Merrill Award, the Yale Drama Series Award, the Lilly Award, Fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Jen is a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts Fellow (prose) and 2022 Guggenheim Fellow (theatre). Jen also writes for TV and film. Education: Brown, Iowa, Juilliard.
Suzan Fete DIRECTOR
Suzan is a graduate of University of Illinois. Suzan co-founded RTW in 1993. Favorite RTW projects include: directing TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, BLACKBIRD, TOP GIRLS, and THE ROAD TO MECCA, touring NEAT to Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 2013 and finishing as finalists with ALL OF THE EVERYTHING and LUCKY NUMBERS in the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, in 2015 and 2019 respectively. Suzan is especially proud that RTW won the prestigious 50/50 in 2020 International Applause Award for the 2015-16 season in recognition of RTW's commitment to women playwrights. Suzan lives happily in Wauwatosa with her husband, Jeff.
Marti Gobel ELIZABETH SAWYER
Marti Gobel is an Actor, Director and Teaching Artist. She returns to Renaissance Theaterworks with great love and affection. Past RTW acting credits include: THE PERSIANS, CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY, NEAT 2012/2021 (Milwaukee, Sheboygan, South African), THE VIOLET HOUR, SEX WITH STRANGERS and THE ROOMMATE. Past R-T-W directing credits include: THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL, NATIVE GARDENS and POOF!. Ms Gobel is a proud member of both AEA and SAG-AFRTA.
Neil Brookshire SCRATCH
PHOTOGRAPH 51, THE VIOLET HOUR (Renaissance Theaterworks). Additional Milwaukee credits: THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS, THE LAST WHITE MAN (Next Act Theatre). Wisconsin and Regional companies: Peninsula Players, Door Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theater, Boise Contemporary Theater, Idaho Dance Theatre, Opera Idaho, Company of Fools, Seattle Novyi Theatre, People's Light, Cadence Theatre Co, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Tennessee Shakespeare Co., and ten seasons with Idaho Shakespeare Festival. He has performed the solo show, BENT COMPASS, in three festivals in Canada. Neil has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Boise State University, and an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University.
Reese Madigan SIR ARTHUR BANKS
Reese is thrilled to be back at RTW, where he's previously been seen as Misha in RUSSIAN TRANSPORT, and as many people in AMELIA. He's played both on and Off Broadway and at many regional theaters around the country. At Next Act he’s appeared in SILENT SKY and LOMBARDI; and in 20 productions at Milwaukee Rep where a few favorites include A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Bob Cratchit), DEATH OF A SALESMAN, (Biff Loman), CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Brick Pollitt), LOMBARDI (Paul Hornung). Other Wisconsin credits: BORN YESTERDAY (Paul Verrall), APT; LIFE SUCKS (Astor), Forward Theatre and as MACBETH, Door Shakespeare. Later this season, he's honored to be back at both The Rep in A CHRISTMAS CAROL and Next Act in THE TREASURER. Many thanks to Suzan and Jayne!
James Carrington CUDDY BANKS
James Carrington is thrilled to be back with Renaissance Theaterworks! James is an actor and singer based in Milwaukee and a graduate of UW-Madison's Acting Specialist B.F.A. Program. Some favorite roles include Matt in MR. BURNS: A POST ELECTRIC PLAY, Man 3 in THE BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL, The Lion in THE WIZ, William Barfèe in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE and Jim Fingal in LIFESPAN OF A FACT, Dun in PIPELINE and Golden Thunder in AIRNESS. James has been fortunate to work with many Wisconsin theaters, to name a few: Northern Sky Theater, Children's Theatre of Madison, Milwaukee Opera Theater, Door Shakespeare, First Stage Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Northern Sky Theater and Forward Theater. Up next James will be diving in to assistant direct THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER with First Stage! Be safe, be well, be loved. Support the arts!
Joe Picchietti FRANK THORNEY
Joe Picchetti is thrilled to be returning to Renaissance Theaterworks for WITCH! Previous credits with Renaissance include PHOTOGRAPH 51 (Don Caspar) and STILL (Constantinople). Currently based in Milwaukee, he has been lucky enough to perform with numerous regional companies throughout the midwest. Recent credits includes A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Children's Theatre of Madison); PRELUDES (Milwaukee Opera Theatre); THE LION IN WINTER (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, AS YOU LIKE IT, and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Summit Players Theatre). He would like to thank his family, friends, and Maddy for their never-ending love and support!
Eva Nimmer WINNIFRED
Eva returns to Renaissance Theaterworks having appeared previously in their 2022 production of ACTUALLY. Selected stage credits: GOD’S SPIES, THE REVOLUTIONISTS, RED HERRING, EQUIVOCATION (Next Act Theatre); THE NATIVITY VARIATIONS (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre); WRITE ME A MURDER, RIPCORD (Peninsula Players Theatre); CHRISTMAS IN BABYLON (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre); MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY (Luminous Theatre); LUMBERJACKS IN LOVE, THE FISHERMAN’S DAUGHTERS, VICTORY FARM (Northern Sky Theater). Eva is also a writer and musician, and sometimes appears singing backup with Milwaukee-based band Long Mama. www.evanimmer.com
Performance Schedule & Special Events
Week 1
Friday, October 20, 2023 7:30 p.m. Preview & Pay-what-you-choose
Saturday, October 21 4:00 p.m. Preview & Open Captioning
NEW TIME:
Sunday, October 22 5:00 p.m. Opening Night & Reception
Week 2
Wednesday, October 25 7:30 p.m. Wine Wednesday
Thursday, October 26 7:30 p.m. SheLeads (A Networking Night in Partnership with Professional Dimensions)
Friday, October 27 7:30 p.m. PRIDE Night & Talkback
Saturday, October 28 4:00 p.m. Open Captioning
Sunday, October 29 2:00 p.m. Play Club
Week 3
Wednesday, November 1 1:30 p.m. Matinee & Talkback
Wednesday, November 1 7:30 p.m. Wine Wednesday
Thursday, November 2 7:30 p.m. Open Captioning
Friday, November 3 7:30 p.m. Pre-show talk @6:45
Saturday, November 4 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 5 2:00 p.m. ASL Interpreted
Week 4
Wednesday, November 8 1:30 p.m. Sensory Friendly Performance
Wednesday, November 8 7:30 p.m. Wine Wednesday
Thursday, November 9 7:30 p.m. Open Captioning
Friday, November 10 7:30 p.m. Audio Described
Saturday, November 11 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 12 2:00 p.m. Closing
Season Sponsors: Laura & Mike Arnow, Jan Serr & John Shannon, Herzfeld Foundation, Shubert Foundation, Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust, CAMPAC, City of Milwaukee Arts Board, UPAF, Wisconsin Arts Board, The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Show Sponsors: Sherry & Rick Lundell and Sandy Zingler
About Renaissance Theaterworks
RTW is Milwaukee’s first professional theater company founded and led by women and the nation’s second-oldest professional theater devoted to gender equality.
RTW is a resident company at 255 South Water St. in Milwaukee’s Harbor District, with increased capacity and improved accessibility.
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September 18, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sarah Hwang Phone: 414-273-0800
Email: shwang@r-t-w.com
Renaissance Theaterworks Cleans-Up with TIDY
The world is ending. Will The Detective solve the environmental mystery in time to save it? Find out when RTW concludes its 30th season with the World Premiere of TIDY.
February 17th, 2023 (MILWAUKEE, Wis.) - Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) concludes their 30th season with TIDY by Kristin Idaszak, March 24 - April 16, 2023 (Opening Night, March 25 8pm), at the Theater at 255 S. Water St. in Milwaukee’s Harbor District. The play will be directed by RTW veteran, Elizabeth Margolius and features audience favorite, Cassandra Bissell in TIDY’s singular role. Tickets are available at R-T-W.com 24 hours a day, or by calling the box office at 414-278-0765 or in person at the box office, 255 S. Water St., from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and 2 hours before performances. Full list of performance dates, times and special shows below.
Play Synopsis
A woman stands in the middle of a room. She is an island in a sea of stuff - her stuff. It's a disaster. Fortunately, she's a detective and she has just read Marie Kondo's self-help book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
As she excavates her mountain of possessions, she uncovers a terrifying mystery. Can she follow the series of clues and solve the puzzle in time to save the planet? TIDY examines the holes in our lives we try to fill with consumption, how we decide what to keep and what to leave behind, and who and what will survive mass extinction. And...will it spark joy?
World Premiere Wisconsin
TIDY is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festival celebrating new plays and musicals running March 1 – June 30, 2023, presented by the Ten Chimneys Foundation. To learn more visit www.worldpremierewisconsin.com.
RTW, already a local leader in presenting new work with the BRINK New Play Festival (in which Idaszak was a Resident Playwright in 2018 with her play, THE SUREST POISON), is excited to be one of the companies involved with World Premiere Wisconsin. “We’re delighted to be part of this festival,” says RTW Artistic Director, Suzan Fete. “Bringing new works to the stage, especially new works written by women, fits in perfectly with RTW’s mission. We’re also thrilled
to be part of a project that showcases all the great theater Wisconsin has to offer.”
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But Does it Spark Joy?
It started as a ripple, but crashed into cultural relevance in the late 2010s/early 2020s. The KonMari Method, a tidying philosophy created by Marie Kondo that is most synonymous with the phrase “Does it spark joy?”.
The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up has been released in 44 different languages and has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. Its influence on how we should organize our lives and tidy our homes/workplaces has been so powerful that when Kondo admitted she’s been prioritizing spending time with her family rather than tidying, the backlash was so strong it almost broke the internet.
At the core of the KonMari method is to make sure that a person is only surrounded by essential items and things that bring them long-term joy. This usually ends up being only the bare minimum: socks, books, photos, nothing is safe. It goes against the dominant accumulation philosophy that many subconsciously follow. But Kondo does say that every item has a purpose, to teach the consumer a lesson and then it's time to let that item go. It’s these lessons that Idaszak uses to build the layers of TIDY inspiring audiences to ponder the gratification of consumerism, minimalism vs clutter and the question of what really sparks joy.
Becoming a Green New Theater
One of the most resounding themes in TIDY is the ongoing climate crisis. As the Detective deals with a mass-extinction event on stage, that motif echoes in the real world. Idaszak requests that companies that produce TIDY follow the guiding principles of the Green New Theater, which encourages theater companies to adapt in the face of the climate crisis. “We’re always looking for and open to ways we can improve ourselves.” says RTW Managing Director Lisa Rasmussen. “By taking on more sustainable initiatives, we can do our part in preserving theater and the planet for future generations to enjoy.” Throughout the run of TIDY RTW will be sharing ways they’ve been going green, tips for audiences to be more mindful of the environment and community partnerships to increase awareness of our climate crisis
Resources from the playwright about play/going green
Green New Theater is one of the community projects sponsored by Groundwater Arts. For more information, especially for those interested in exploring options for a more sustainable performing arts scene can check them out here. Patrons are also encouraged to stay tuned to RTW’s social media pages for more green tips.
For those who are interested in a deep dive into the themes TIDY explores, you can check out The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, “What Really Killed the Dinosaurs” by Bianca Bosker in The Atlantic, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, “The empty promises of Marie Kondo and the craze for minimalism” by Kyle Chayka in The Guardian, and The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler.
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Production Team
DIRECTOR...................................................... Elizabeth Margolius^
PRODUCTION MANAGER & STAGE MANAGER.... Bailey Wegner*
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR.................................... Tony Lyons
LIGHTING DESIGN............................................Noele Stollmack**
SCENIC DESIGN...............................................Jeff Kmiec**
SOUND DESIGN...............................................Christopher Kriz**
COSTUME DESIGN.......................................... Anna Wooden
PROP MASTER................................................Olivia Bastien
WARDROBE SUPERVISOR................................Shelby Kashian
PROJECTIONS DESIGN....................................Yeaji Kim
DECK CHIEF................................................... Nat Goeller
*Member of Actors' Equity Association
^Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers ** Member of the United Scenic Artists of America
Playwright/Director/Cast Biographies
Kristin Idaszak (she/they) PLAYWRIGHT
Kristin Idaszak (she/they) is a Chicago-based playwright, dramaturg, producer, and educator whose recent work focuses on the climate crisis, gender, and queerness. She has received two Playwrights’ Center Jerome Fellowships. Kristin was the Shank Playwright in Residence at the Goodman Theatre and was a member of the 2017-2018 Goodman Playwrights Unit. Idaszak has received commissions from EST/the Sloan Foundation, Cleveland Play House, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, and TimeLine Theatre. Her play SECOND SKIN received the Kennedy Center’s Paula Vogel Playwriting Award and the Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award. Her play ANOTHER JUNGLE was a Relentless Award Honorable Mention, and THE SUREST POISON was a Princess Grace finalist. Idaszak was the Kennedy Center Fellow at the Sundance Theatre Lab. Her work has been seen at or developed through the Goodman Theatre, The Playwrights’ Center, La Jolla Playhouse’s WoW Festival, SPACE at Ryder Farm, Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Directing Studio, The Drama League, Pasadena Playhouse, Circle X, Renaissance Theaterworks, and Perishable Theatre. She has also received support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Idaszak is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists and adjunct faculty at The Theatre School at DePaul University and Northwestern University. Previously, Kristin served as Associate Artistic Director/Literary Manager of Caffeine Theatre and Associate Artistic Director of Collaboraction. She is the Artistic Director of Cloudgate Theatre. She earned an MFA from University of California, San Diego. kristinidaszak.com
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Elizabeth Margolius (she/her) DIRECTOR
Four-time Joseph Jefferson Award nominee, stage and movement director Elizabeth Margolius’ selected directorial credits include CRIMES OF THE HEART for American Stage, LE LOUP-GAROU for Opera Southwest, I AND YOU, SILENT SKY, MISS HOLMES, and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY for Peninsula Players, ROSE for Renaissance Theaterworks, DIE KATHRIN for Folks Operetta/University of Chicago, QUEEN OF THE MIST for Firebrand Theatre, THE SCARLET IBIS for Chicago Opera Theater, MACHINAL FOR GREENHOUSE THEATER (as Movement Director), UNCLE PHILIP’S COAT for Greenhouse Theater, Haymarket: THE ANARCHIST’S SONGBOOK for Underscore Theatre, TWELFTH NIGHT for DePaul Opera Theatre, THE GIRL IN THE TRAIN for Chicago Folks Operetta, GOLDSTAR, OHIO for American Theater Company, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR for Chicago Shakespeare Theater (as Assistant Director), DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY for Circle Theatre, OPUS 1861 for City Lit Theater, VIOLET for Bailiwick Chicago, and BERNARDA ALBA and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD for Bohemian Theatre Ensemble. Elizabeth has been a guest director, master artist, and adjunct professor at numerous colleges and universities including Longy School of Music (MA), DePaul University, Viterbo University (WI), University of Northern Iowa, Converse School of Music (SC), SUNY Albany, and Skidmore College (NY). Elizabeth is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, a recipient of a full directorial scholarship for the Wesley Balk Opera-Music Theater Institute, and a finalist for the Charles Abbott Fellowship. Elizabeth has a degree in classical flute and has trained in movement techniques from around the world including Qigong, the Frantic Method, and Axis Syllabus. She is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of DirectorsLabChicago, and a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).
Cassandra Bissell (she/her) THE DETECTIVE
Cassandra is delighted to return to Renaissance Theaterworks where she has appeared previously in PHOTOGRAPH 51, TOP GIRLS, AMELIA, THE UNDERSTUDY and CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY. Wisconsin Credits: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (THE THANKSGIVING PLAY), Milwaukee Rep (IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY, MY NAME IS ASHER LEV), Next Act Theatre (THERE IS A HAPPINESS THAT MORNING IS, THREE VIEWINGS, THE REVOLUTIONISTS), Forward Theater Co. (THE WANDERERS, RUSSIAN TROLL FARM: A WORKPLACE COMEDY), Third Avenue Playworks (A
CHRISTMAS CAROL: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, THE BOOK CLUB PLAY) and 18 shows over 9 seasons at Peninsula Players. Regional (LORT) credits: Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Arizona Theatre Co., Cleveland Play House, Court Theatre, Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Indiana Repertory, Northern Stage, Northlight Theatre, People’s Light and Utah Shakespeare Festival. Chicago (CAT) credits: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, First Folio, Next Theatre, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Shakespeare on the Green, Shakespeare Project of Chicago and Steppenwolf. Small Professional Theatre (SPT) credits: CATCO (Columbus, OH), Company of Fools (Sun Valley, ID) and freeFall Theatre (St. Petersburg, FL). Cassandra holds a BA in Gender Studies from the University of Chicago.
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Performance Schedule & Special Events
Friday, March 24 7:30 p.m. Preview
Saturday, March 25 4:00 p.m. Preview
Saturday, March 25 8:00 p.m. Opening Night & Reception
Sunday, March 26 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 29 7:30 p.m. Wine Wednesday
Thursday, March 30 7:30 p.m. Community Networking Night
Friday, March 31 7:30 p.m. Talkback
Saturday, April 1 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 1 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 2 2:00 p.m. Playclub
Monday, April 3 7:30 p.m. Pay-What-You-Choose
Wednesday, April 5 7:30 p.m. Wine Wednesday
Thursday, April 6 7:30 p.m. Women’s Happy Hour
Friday, April 7 7:30 p.m. Pre-show talk
Saturday, April 8 4:00 p.m. PRIDE Show
Sunday, April 9 2:00 p.m. Sensory Friendly Performance & Partner talkback
Wednesday, April 12 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 7:30 p.m. Wine Wednesday
Thursday, April 13 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 14 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 15 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 16 2:00p.m. ASL Interpreted & Closing
Season Sponsors: Laura & Mike Arnow, Jan Serr & John Shannon, Herzfeld Foundation, Shubert Foundation, Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust, CAMPAC, City of Milwaukee Arts Board, UPAF, Wisconsin Arts Board, The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Show Sponsors: Sandy & George Dionisopoulos, J. Michael Reavis About Renaissance Theaterworks
Celebrating their thirtieth anniversary in the 2022-23 season, RTW is Milwaukee’s first professional theater company founded and led by women and the nation’s second-oldest professional theater devoted to gender equality.
RTW is now a resident company at 255 South Water St. in Milwaukee’s Harbor District, with increased capacity and improved accessibility.
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February 23, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sarah Hwang
Phone: 414-273-0800
Email: shwang@r-t-w.com
Renaissance Theaterworks Welcomes New Marketing Manager
Longtime freelance collaborator officially becomes a Renaissance Woman
February 13, 2023- Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) “theater by women, for everyone” is excited to announce that Emmy-nominated producer Maria Pretzl has joined their team as the company’s new Marketing Manager.
Pretzl earned her BFA in Film Production and BA in Theatre Studies from UW-Milwaukee in 2014. She is most well known in the theater community for being half of the video company, Traveling Lemur Productions LLC, that she co-founded with her partner, Nate Schardin, in 2015. As part of the Traveling Lemur Productions team, Pretzl has worked with theater companies and arts organizations all over Milwaukee, including RTW, Skylight Music Theater, Milwaukee Comedy and First Stage. It was their work on First Stage’s 2020 Holiday Show, CHRISTMASTOWN COMES TO FIRST STAGE that garnered Traveling Lemur Production’s first regional-Emmy nomination.
Recently hired Marketing Director, Sarah Hwang commented, “Maria has been a dream to work with in her role with Traveling Lemur productions. When she applied for the job and presented her unique marketing ideas, hiring her to join our team was a no-brainer.”
“We are so excited to work with Maria in a deeper capacity. Welcome to the Renaissance family, Maria!” said Lisa Rasmussen, Managing Director.
RTW audiences may be familiar with Pretzl’s work beyond Traveling Lemur Productions. Pretzl’s short play Juniper Flies, was part of Renaissance Theaterworks’ 2018 Brink Briefs program and the Best of Brink Briefs mainstage performance, kicking off RTW’s new residency at 255 South Water Street in 2021. She also directed Holiday Cards for RTW’s Brink Briefs in 2019.
Other credits include writing and directing the award winning short film SUPER DAD! (available to watch on Vimeo), Coriolana (Director, Cooperative Performance), Roommates (Playwright, Cooperative Performance) and She Kills Monsters (Director, Village Playhouse). She also published Fancy People like Fondue as part of Rogue’s Gallery with Stage Partners in 2022.
Before coming to RTW, Pretzl served as Interim Network Director and First Draft Coordinator at Chicago Dramatists. She also spent almost 8 years wowing audiences with the night sky at the Milwaukee Public Museum as a Planetarium Educator.
“I’ve been a fan of RTW for years, even before I’ve had the privilege to work with them.” says Pretzl, “I’m super excited to join the team and continue making great theater!”
Pretzl lives with Schardin and their very opinionated cat, T’Challa. And for those of you who have made it to the end of this press release and are still wondering, yes, Pretzl is pronounced like the food.
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February 13, 2023
November 9, 2022