Acting Classes
Milwaukee Rep Education & Engagement offers a variety of programming for students of all ages, interests and backgrounds, including adults.
Adult Acting classes at Milwaukee Rep are designed for adults ages 18+ who are interested in learning more about acting and stagecraft. Whether you are a total beginner looking to try something new, or a seasoned performer looking to sharpen your skills, we offer classes to fit your needs! Class sizes are limited to ensure one-on-one feedback for each student. Check back often as we continue to update our class schedule throughout the season!
For theater-based training for businesses and professionals, we offer Corporate Training workshops. Learn more on our Corporate Training page.
Contact
Register online or contact Xodia Choate, Education & Engagement Manager, at 414-290-0709 or xchoate@milwaukeerep.com.
Want to stay up to date on all Adult Acting offerings? Click here to join Milwaukee Rep Education & Engagement’s outreach list.
BASIC ACTING I: CREATING A CHARACTER
Session 4: Tuesdays, January 7 - February 11, 2025, 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Sugar Maple, 441 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 5320
Instructor: George Lorimer, Milwaukee Rep Teaching Artist
Session 5: Mondays, March 31 - May 5, 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Location: The Brick House, 504 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Instructor: George Lorimer, Milwaukee Rep Teaching Artist
Session 6: Wednesdays, May 14 - June 18, 2025, 6:00-8:00pm
Location: The Brick House, 504 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Instructor: TBD
Class fee: $250 for 6 2-hour class sessions (12 hours total)
All great performances begin with building a compelling character. In this 6-session course, students will approach a theatrical text as a living, breathing roadmap, rather than a piece of static literature. Through monologue work and engaging performance exercises, students will explore character objectives, tactics, physical life, and much more! Whether you are a seasoned performer looking to revisit your roots, or new to the world of acting, this course is for you!
BASIC ACTING II: DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS
Session 2: Thursdays, January 9 - February 13, 2025, 6:00-8:00pm
Location: The Brick House, 504 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Instructor: Stephen Thompson, Milwaukee Rep Teaching Artist
Session 3: Wednesdays, April 2 - May 7, 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Plymouth Church, 2717 E Hampshire St, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Instructor: Stephen Thompson, Milwaukee Rep Teaching Artist
Class fee: $275 for 6 2-hour class sessions (12 hours total)
Clear relationships are key to strong performances. This 6-session course will build on the character development skills acquired in Basic Acting 1 with a special emphasis on person-to-person interaction. On stage, participants will create believable moments by practicing active listening and responding. Off stage, they will learn how to safely and collaboratively share ideas with a scene partner to create a convincing fictional relationship.
Prerequisite: Basic Acting I
BASIC ACTING III: BUILDING THE WORLD
Session 1: Tuesdays, February 25 - April 1, 2025, 6:00-8:00pm
Location: Sugar Maple, 441 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 5320
Instructor: Barry Weber, Milwaukee Rep Teaching Artist
Session 2: Mondays, May 12 - June 23 (no class 5/26), 2025, 7:00-9:00pm
Location: The Brick House, 504 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Instructor: Zach Woods, Milwaukee Rep Associate Director of Education
Class fee: $300 for 6 2-hour class sessions (12 hours total)
Imagination is one of an actor’s greatest tools. It allows us to make strong detailed choices and, when amplified by an ensemble of actors, to create a living world for our characters to inhabit. Participants will work together to explore where their unique characters and relationships fit in the broader context of a piece. Key concepts include establishing theatrical conventions, identifying style, and understanding how physical staging contributes to believable storytelling.
Prerequisite: Basic Acting I, Basic Acting II
Specialty Workshops & Intensives
Throughout the year, Milwaukee Repertory Theater hosts specialty classes and one-day intensives. These classes are in-depth explorations of specific topics and performance techniques. Specialty course offerings vary from season to season depending on availability and student interest. Previous classes have included: Dialects, Voiceover Work, Audition Technique, Vocal Technique and more.
INTRO TO PUPPETRY
Schedule: Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm
Location: Brick House, 504 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Class fee: $150 for one 4-hour session
Instructors: Zach Woods, Milwaukee Rep Associate Director of Education; Nikki Kulas, First Stage Props Master
Since the dawn of time, humans have shared stories…and they’ve used puppets to tell them for almost as long! Whether manipulated by string, hand, rod, body, or shadow, puppets invite audiences to open their imaginations and enter a world outside the ordinary. Participants will explore the development process of a puppet from ideation to performance with specific emphasis on design, construction, and character creation. Experiment with a professionally built puppet or one of your own making to tell your story! Experienced performers and newcomers are welcome.
Check this webpage often and sign up for our interest form to be the first to know when classes are added!