Powering Milwaukee Campaign Hits $78 Million Target
Watch a fly-thru video of the new Associated Bank Theater Center!
Just a few short months after the official groundbreaking in May 2024, we are proud to announce that with the incredible generosity of nearly 600 individual donors, we have reached our previously announced $78 million Powering Milwaukee Campaign goal to complete our new home the state-of-the-art Associated Bank Theater Center. The Powering Milwaukee Capital Campaign ensures the transformational effects of the performing arts remain in Milwaukee for generations to come.
Read the full press release here.
While raising $78 million completely from private donors without any public funding is a feat that demonstrates the value of theater to the community, Milwaukee Rep knows there are still many people who would like to participate in this once-in-a-generation opportunity. The theater was prudent and conservative in the planning stages of the Associated Bank Theater Center leading to the removal of several important items from the overall vision to cap expenses at $78 million, which is why Milwaukee Rep plans to keep the campaign open to give everyone the opportunity to participate. With additional funds, we hope to include the following items that were cut previously:
- Renovate the 5th floor theater administration offices and restrooms where 75 people work daily to support the art on and off the stage. Included would be upgrades to make spaces accessible and ADA compliant.
- Renovate the 4th floor common area and kitchen where staff and guest artists gather and connect when not in rehearsal or at their desk.
- Build new Herro-Franke Studio Theater dressing rooms to make them accessible and welcoming for all artists.
- Exterior signage on the Riverwalk to welcome visitors near and far.
One way to help support the campaign is by naming a seat in the new performance venues as part of our “Take A Seat” Campaign. Learn more here.
The new Associate Bank Theater Center will include three state-of-the-art performance spaces, a large unified lobby providing ample opportunities for community events, an expanded offsite production center employing hundreds of local artisans, and venues with modern audience amenities.
View Major Giving Highlights During the Campaign
November 1, 2023: Milwaukee Rep names new Studio Theater for philanthropists David Herro and Jay Franke. Of the $5 million gift, $4 million is allocated to the Powering Milwaukee Campaign and $1 million to the John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Fund. Read Release.
August 2, 2023: Milwaukee Repertory Theater Announces Construction Timeline on
New Associated Bank Theater Center. Read Release.
July 20, 2023: Milwaukee Rep names new Powerhouse Theater for philanthropists Ellen and Joe Checota in the future Associated Bank Theater Center. The Checota’s gift is the second largest in Milwaukee Rep’s history. Read Release.
July 2023: Milwaukee Rep meets crucial fundraising challenge by June 30 to reach 81% of goal. Board of Trustees greenlights plans to finalize construction timeline to be announced in August. Read Release.
May 2023: Just announced – Milwaukee Rep raises record setting $1 million at our Curtain Call Ball toward the new building project. In addition, the Lubar Family donates $2.55 million to name The Lubar Family Donor Lounge. With these donations the campaign is now at 70% of goal. Sustaining Trustee Anthony Petullo and an Anonymous Donor pledge to match new or increased gifts up to $7.5 million through June 30, 2023 to reach a key financial milestone and greenlight construction. Additional and revised building renderings released below. Read Release.
January 2023: The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation donate $5 million – the single largest grant the foundation has ever made – to support the Powering Milwaukee Campaign. The grant will help build The Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center in the new Associated Bank Theater Center.
Fall 2022: Associated Bank provided a 20-year $10 million sponsorship to support Milwaukee Rep’s vision and in recognition of its leadership gift, the new theater complex will be named the Associated Bank Theater Center.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ASSOCIATED BANK THEATER CENTER
» Read the full features of our new Theater Center.
The Ellen and Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater
Our new flagship performance space will be one of the finest theatrical venues in the world and will include:
- Flexible Theater Configuration. The option for a classic thrust configuration or a proscenium theater will be part of the design allowing each director to choose what works best for their production.
- Fly Loft. The ability to “fly” in larger pieces of scenery which our current venue does not provide.
- Improved Seating and Sight Lines. Reducing the audience capacity with configurations offering between 550 and 650 seats, widen the proscenium arch, and install much more comfortable seats to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.
- Better accessibility. Accessible seats in prime orchestra and access to those seats from the ground floor, steps away from valet parking on Wells Street without the need to navigate stairs.
- Modern production technology. Offering advance digital sound, laser projection capability, automated scenery, live-streaming capabilities and programmable intelligent lighting.
Herro-Franke Studio Theater
Our new flexible, black-box space will better serve intimate dramatic productions and boundary-pushing theatrical events. Features include:
- Easily transformable performance space. New seating technology will allow us to reconfigure the seating and performance spaces more easily.
- Increased seating capacity. All configurations will offer additional inventory.
- Welcoming lobby. Expanded restrooms, an acoustical barrier between performance space and lobby, and a beautiful, fully functioning bar and gathering spaces.
The Herzfeld Education & Engagement Center
A state-of-the-art rehearsal, performance and classroom spaces to serve the 20,000+ students in our in-school, after-school programs as well as our various community initiatives.
The Sandra and William Haack Lobby. Uniting all three of our performance spaces as well as all of our other public spaces will be a beautifully open and cascading lobby.
The Lubar Family Donor Lounge. A stunning new space with the capacity to serve 125 people as a lounge or event space with private restrooms and bar.
Northwestern Mutual Riverwalk. Newly reconceptualized, this space will be an attractive space to gather pre- and post-show and for events, receptions and celebrations.
Rehearsal Halls & Support Functions. Rebuilt to feature three spaces with sound barriers allowing for a wide-variety of work to rehearse at the same time, along with light production capabilities to support public readings, discussions and other events.
World-class production facility. A relocated production shop, housed in a new 35,000 square foot production center to build our 12-15 annual productions.
» Read the full features of our new Theater Center.
» Browse our Frequently Asked Questions.
Join The Campaign Today!
There are many ways to support the Powering Milwaukee Campaign. Several naming opportunities are available including our Studio Theaters, and donations can be paid over up to 5 years and made with appreciated assets like stock.
Private tours and giving discussions can be arranged at your convenience.
To learn how you can support the campaign please contact Chuck Rozewicz, Chief Development Officer at 414-290-0717 or crozewicz@milwaukeerep.com.
