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Toni Stone

By Lydia R. Diamond
Directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden

January 11 — January 30, 2022

Quadracci Powerhouse

Approximate Running Time: 2hrs and 15 minutes including one intermission
Recommended Age: 12 and up

A Trailblazing Spirit

Declared the Best New Play of 2019 by The Wall Street Journal, this sensational theatrical event knocks it out of the park with a high intensity glimpse into the world of the first woman to go pro in baseball’s Negro Leagues. Against all odds, Toni Stone blazes a path in the male-dominated sports world, shattering expectations and creating her own set of rules. Follow Toni’s journey as she fights for love, equality and a chance to do what she wants the most — play baseball. Filled with humor and the love of the game, this intimate and profoundly relevant portrait of America will have you cheering along.

New York Times Critics Pick!

Funded in part by a grant from the

Production Support provided by

Executive Producers
Robert Burrell • Judy Hansen

Associate Producers
Chris & Katie Hermann

Production supported in part by

Sponsored in Part by

Media Partner

COVID PROTOCOLS

As announced in September, all patrons will be required to follow the protocols listed below when attending our productions. For those 12 and older:

  • Proof of a full COVID vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of your performance date
  • Wear masks through your time in our building

Note: If a patron can’t provide one of the items above, they will not be able to attend. For those audience members 11 and younger they do not need to provide the above but do need to wear a mask.

Please be sure all the people attending with you know about the COVID safety protocols.

Arrival Time
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to curtain to allow time to go through our vaccine safety check-in station before you enter the theater.

Learn more about our COVID Health & Safety protocols here.

Special Dates

Pay What You Can
Tuesday, January 4, 7:30pm
Wednesday, January 5, 7:30pm
(Based on availability)

Early Bird Performance
Tuesday, January 11 at 6:30pm

Audio Described Performance
Tuesday, January 11 at 6:30pm

ASL Performance
Thursday, January 27 at 7:30pm

Captioned Performance
Sunday, January 30, 2pm

Bus Matinee Performance
Wednesday, January 19, 1:30pm

TalkBacks

Thursdays after the 7:30pm performance
January 13, 20 and 27

Resources

Program

Play Guide

Teacher Guide

Media Gallery

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Mark's Take | "Toni Stone"

Photo Gallery

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Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: Kedren Spencer. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.
Milwaukee Rep presents Toni Stone in the Quadracci Powerhouse January 11 – 30, 2022. Pictured: The cast of Toni Stone. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Reviews

“A kinetic production…brimming with warmth, humor and sometimes irony.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Immensely entertaining… stunning performance…the dynamite ensemble is insanely good.”
BroadwayWorld
“You’re certain to be inspired.”
Shepherd Express
“Rep’s Toni Stone Is a Winner…impressive…important new production.”
Urban Milwaukee

Cast

Headshot photo of Amar Atkins
Amar Atkins
Elzie
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Headshot photo of Dimonte Henning
Dimonte Henning
Woody
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Headshot photo of Enoch King
Enoch King
Millie
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Headshot photo of Sekou Laidlow
Sekou Laidlow
Alberga
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Headshot photo of Eric J. Little
Eric J. Little
King
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Headshot photo of Lau’rie Roach
Lau’rie Roach
Jimmy
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Headshot photo of Kedren Spencer
Kedren Spencer
Toni Stone
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Headshot photo of dane troy
dane troy
Stretch
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Headshot photo of Geoffrey D. Williams
Geoffrey D. Williams
Spec
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Headshot photo of
Amar Atkins
Elzie
Bio

Look What God Has Done! Broadway Tour: The Color Purple Revival (Mister/Harpo U/S). Off-Broadway: King Lear (Edmund). Select Regional: The Color Purple Revival (Paper Mill Playhouse), Rent (Gateway Playhouse), Sophisticated Ladies (New Venture), Clybourne Park (Swine Palace). Select TV/Film: "Annie Live!," "America's Got Talent," "City on a Hill," "Blue Bloods," "Bull," "Wu-Tang: An American Saga." Numerous National/Worldwide commercials. MFA in Acting from LSU and BA in Theatre from Albany State University. All my love to my tribe and DGRW! @amaratkins_

Headshot photo of
Dimonte Henning
Woody
Bio

Dimonte is excited to be returning to Milwaukee Rep for Toni Stone. Dimonte serves as Artistic Director for Lights! Camera! Soul! and is a founding member of the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival. Dimonte’s regional theater credits include: The Island and Deathtrap (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), Stick Fly (Writers Theatre), Skeleton Crew (Forward Theater), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre LILA), Our Town, A Christmas Carol and Dreamgirls (Milwaukee Rep), The Wiz (First Stage), Black Nativity (Black Arts MKE). TV and commercial credits include: Guest starring roles on NBC’s “Chicago PD” (Seasons 4 & 6), Disney’s “Encore!,” UBER, Inpro Designs and Harley-Davidson.

Headshot photo of
Enoch King
Millie
Bio

Enoch is excited to make his Milwaukee Rep debut! Recent credits include: The Bluest Eye (Synchronicity Theatre), It’s a Wonderful Life, Skeleton Crew, Between Riverside and Crazy, A Raisin in the Sun (American Stage), Paradise Blue, Skeleton Crew (True Colors Theatre), Hands of Color (Synchronicity Theatre – Suzi Bass Award for Best World Premiere), A Christmas Carol (Shakespeare Tavern), The Mountaintop (Heritage Theatre Festival), Anne and Emmett (Amsterdam, VA, NY, NC), The Christians (Actor’s Express – Suzi Bass Award for Best Supporting Actor). Be safe, smile hard and love free!

Headshot photo of
Sekou Laidlow
Alberga
Bio

Sekou’s craftsmanship can be seen in his recurring guest star role as Leon Payne in  NBC’s “Ordinary Joe.” He is a recurring guest star in ABC’s “Women of the Movement” and plays Harrison Carter in the BET+ episodic “Kingdom Business.” He will appear in the Warner Brothers feature “Black Adam.” Some of his theater credits include two Broadway appearances in Airline Highway and Boys in the Band. Regional credits include Skeleton Crew, A Doll’s House, Father Comes Home from the Wars, The Mountaintop, Civil War Christmas and Of Mice and Men. Sekou is an alumnus of the Juilliard School of Drama.

Headshot photo of
Eric J. Little
King
Bio

Eric is elated to be making his Milwaukee Rep debut. Eric is a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University and Louisiana State University. He has worked as an actor and director with Theatrical Outfit, Actor’s Express, True Colors, Aurora Theatre, Horizon Theatre, North Carolina Black Rep and others. Eric is a tenured tracked professor at Clark Atlanta University. Eric has won three Suzi Bass Awards (the professional theatre awards in Atlanta). Follow him on IG: iamejlittle

Headshot photo of
Lau’rie Roach
Jimmy
Bio

Lau'rie (Luh-Ree) is originally from Atlanta and graduated from AMDA in NYC. Re has had the opportunity to work with Alliance Theatre and True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta. Regional credits include North Carolina Black Repertory Company, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and now Milwaukee Rep! Film credits include “Rules to Rule,” “Po’ Psi Broke” (YouTube) and “This World Alone” (Apple TV, Amazon Prime and now Hulu), where he won an award for Best Actor in Italy! @Iamreanthony

Headshot photo of
Kedren Spencer
Toni Stone
Bio

MFA, FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Select Regional: The Tempest (Shakespeare Theatre Co), Richard III, Twelfth Night, Dial ‘M’ for Murder (Monmouth), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (FSU/Asolo Conservatory), Evita (Asolo Rep), Little Shop of Horrors (Trinity Rep). TV: “New Amsterdam,” “Manifest,” “Law & Order: SVU” (NBC), “Search Party” (HBO), “Bull” (CBS). Film: “Half Day” (short), “Reopening” (short). Kedren is also currently in post-production for her first film and directorial debut, “Last Call.” Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it. For my family. For the Forgotten. For Toni.

Headshot photo of
dane troy
Stretch
Bio

dane hails from Atlanta and is a graduate of the University of Georgia's professional theatre program. He has performed professionally in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, Milwaukee and the Bay Area. dane is grateful to Milwaukee Rep for this opportunity. He sends lots of love to his family and his wife Paige Mayes.

Headshot photo of
Geoffrey D. Williams
Spec
Bio

Regional theatre credits include: Theatrical Outfit, Alliance Theatre, True Colors Theatre Company, Horizon Theatre Company, Theatre in the Square, Huntington Theatre, Geva Theatre Center, Indiana Rep, Burt Reynolds Theatre, Jomandi Productions, Mill Mountain Theatre, among others. He has also acted in more than a dozen film or television productions for Marvel, Showtime, Millennium Filmworks, Twentieth Century Fox, FX, CBS and HBO. Geoffrey trained at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of Fine Art in Dallas, Texas, the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre in Florida and Northside School of Performing Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. Geoffrey dedicates this show to his sister, who wore a tutu in the dugout!

Creative Team

Headshot photo of Lydia R. Diamond
Lydia R. Diamond
Playwright
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Headshot photo of Tinashe Kajese-Bolden
Tinashe Kajese-Bolden
Director
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Headshot photo of
Lydia R. Diamond
Playwright
Bio

Lydia R. Diamond is an award-winning playwright whose work includes Toni Stone (2019 premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company), Smart People, Stick Fly (Broadway run at Cort Theatre), Voyeurs de Venus, Harriet Jacobs and The Bluest Eye. Her work has been performed at Arena Stage, Arden Theatre Company, Second Stage Theater, The New Vic Theatre, Company One, Goodman Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and McCarter Theatre Center. Diamond has been a W. E. B. DuBois Institute Fellow at Harvard, a Sundance Playwright Lab Creative Advisor, a Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellow, a Sally B. Goodman Fellow, a Huntington Playwright Fellow and a National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group playwright. She is the 2020 recipient of The Horton Foote Prize, sits on the Dramatists Guild Legal Defense Fund board and is on faculty at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Headshot photo of
Tinashe Kajese-Bolden
Director
Bio

Tinashe is an award-winning director, actor and producer. She is the BOLD Artistic Director Fellow at Alliance Theatre and driven to create stories that celebrate our differences while building community. Tinashe is a Princess Grace 2019 Award Winner for Directing, and Map Fund Award recipient to develop her devised new work All Smiles for Theater for the Very Young, centering the experience of children on the autism spectrum. Recent theatre directing credits include School Girls (Or the African Mean Girls Play) (True Colors Theatre), Ghost (Alliance Theatre), Native Gardens (Virginia Stage Company), Pipeline (Horizon Theatre), Nick’s Flamingo Grill (World Premiere at Alliance Theatre), Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Best Director Suzi Bass Award). Up next: Candrice Jone’s FLEX at Theatrical Outfit. As a director and actor, she has worked On and Off Broadway, including Imperial Theatre, Primary Stages, 59E59 Theaters, Classical Theatre of Harlem, and regionally at Yale Rep, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co, Cincinnati Playhouse, Geva Theatre, CTG’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, among others, as well as recurring roles on TV/Film (“Suicide Squad,” Marvel’s “Hawkeye,” CW’s “Valor,” “Dynasty,” HBO’s “Henrietta Lacks” and currently filming Season 2 of Ava Duverney’s “Cherish the Day”). She proudly serves on the ARTS-ATL Artist Advisory Council. “My mission is the pursuit of what connects our different communities and how we create art that serves that.”

Dell Howlett
Choreographer
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Tony Cisek
Scenic Designer
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Kara Harmon
Costume Designer
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Thom Weaver
Lighting Designer
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Derek A. Graham
Original Music & Composition
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Sharath Patel
Sound Designer
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Shadana Patterson
Dialect Coach
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Nikiya Matthis
Wig Designer
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Jody Feldman
Casting Director
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Sasha Smith
Intimacy Consultant
Martinique M. Barthel *
Stage Manager
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Shaina Pierce *
Assistant Stage Manager
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Daniel Blanco
Assistant Director
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Kai Liebenstein
Production Assistant
Jada Boggs
Line Producer
Laura Braza
Line Producer
Amar Adkins
Dance Captain
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Dell Howlett
Choreographer
Bio

Dell is a New York-based, Virginia-born choreographer/director. Select credits include: Stick Fly (Plays in the House), R&H Cinderella (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Guys and Dolls (Ford’s Theatre), Paradise Square (Associate to Bill T. Jones, Berkeley Rep), Guys and Dolls (Guthrie Theater), The Wiz (Ford's Theatre, Helen Hayes Nom.), Wig Out! (Studio Theatre, Helen Hayes Nom.), The C.A. Lyons Project (Alliance Theatre, Suzi Bass Award Winner), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Marin Theatre Company, BATCCA Nom.), YoungArts Presidential Scholars Show (Kennedy Center), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (The Acting Company), Broadway Inspirational Voices (Foxwoods Theater), Is Anybody Listening? (Sheen Center). Dell is a full-time professor and Associate Head of Dance at NYU/Tisch School of the Arts in the Department of Drama's New Studio on Broadway. He dedicates this work and every work to his muse, his husband Aaron.

Tony Cisek
Scenic Designer
Bio

Tony has designed Milwaukee Rep’s productions of Two Trains Running, Gem of the Ocean and the premiere of The Night is a Child. His work has also been seen at Roundabout Theatre, Arena Stage, Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Denver Center, South Coast Rep, Portland Center Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse, Ford’s Theatre, Folger Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Baltimore Center Stage, Indiana Rep, Syracuse Stage, New York Theatre Workshop, Cleveland Play House, Pioneer Theatre, People’s Light, Studio Theatre and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. tonycisek.com

Kara Harmon
Costume Designer
Bio

Off Broadway credits include: Dot (Vineyard Theatre) and Lockdown (Rattlestick). Select Regional credits include: Steel Magnolias and Guys and Dolls (Guthrie Theater), The Wiz – Helen Hayes Costume Design Award (Ford’s Theatre), The Purists, The Niceties and A Guide for the Homesick (Huntington Theatre), Nina Simone: Four Women (Arena Stage), The Color Purple (Portland Center Stage), Barbecue – NAACP Outstanding Costume Design Award (Geffen Playhouse), Much Ado About Nothing and The Comedy of Errors (OSF) and world premieres: Goodnight, Tyler and Angry…Gorgeous (Alliance Theatre). Her assistant costume design credits for television include "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon), “Daredevil” (Netflix) and “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO). karaharmondesign.com.

Thom Weaver
Lighting Designer
Bio

Previously for Milwaukee Rep: Junk, The History of Invulnerability, The Royale, A Christmas Carol. His work has been seen at NYSF/Public Theater, Roundabout Theatre, Primary Stages, Signature Theatre (NY), Wilma, Arden, PTC, New Paradise Laboratories, Walnut, CenterStage, Huntington Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Syracuse Stage, Shakespeare Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown, Cleveland Play House, Round House Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Spoleto Festival, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Yale Rep, among others. 6 Barrymore Awards, 2 Jeff Awards and 2 AUDELCO Awards. Co-Founder of Die-Cast with Brenna Geffers, founding board member of Theatre Philadelphia and a member of Wingspace. Education: Carnegie-Mellon and Yale. He/him. Black Lives Matter.

Derek A. Graham
Original Music & Composition
Bio

Derek is a composer based in North Carolina. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Derek holds an MFA in Sound Design from Ohio University and a BA in Music from Elizabeth City State University. Recent composer credits include The Chinese Lady (Artists Repertory Theatre), Protocol and Redwood (Portland Center Stage). Derek is invested in using sound and music to encapsulate emotion in storytelling and is excited to collaborate with Milwaukee Rep for the first time.

Sharath Patel
Sound Designer
Bio

Sharath is an Oregon-based designer who works internationally focusing on experimental, commercial, academic, political and socially conscious theatre. Recent designs: Portland Center Stage, Indiana Rep, ACT Theatre, American Rep, Artists Rep, Seattle Rep, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cal Shakes, Alabama Shakes, Arena Stage. Affiliations: USA 829 IATSE, Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association, Department of State Arts Envoy, National Respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Resident Artist at Artists Rep. BFA: Ohio University. MFA: Yale School of Drama. www.sharathpatel.com

Shadana Patterson
Dialect Coach
Bio

Shadana is thrilled to work with Milwaukee Rep for the first time. She has previously served as Assistant Dialect Coach on Frankenstein (Remy Bumppo). She is an actor, Lessac Kinesensics Practitioner and an Adjunct Faculty of Voice and Speech at The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Nikiya Matthis
Wig Designer
Bio

Broadway: Chicken & Biscuits. Off-Broadway: MCC Theater: Nollywood Dreams, Public Theater: For Colored Girls, Page 73 Productions: Stew, Soho Rep: For all the Women…, Women's Project: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, Ars Nova: Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future, Ensemble Studio Theatre: Travisville, National Black Theatre: Crowndation. Regional: Baltimore Center Stage: The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks and Curls, La Jolla Playhouse: The Garden, Berkshire Theatre: Hair, Long Wharf Theatre: An Iliad, Hudson Valley Shakespeare: The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial.... Awards: Henry Hewes Design Award, Antonyo Awards Drama Desk nominee. MFA: NYU Tisch Grad Acting.

Jody Feldman
Casting Director
Bio

Jody began her theater career as an actress in Atlanta before moving into administration as the Assistant General Manager at Frank Wittow’s Academy Theatre. She started her career at Alliance Theatre as Casting Director in 1991 and added Producer to her title and responsibilities in 2001. She has cast and produced more than 350 productions at the Alliance, encompassing a range of world premieres that includes The Last Night of Ballyhoo, What I Learned in Paris, Broke and Troubadour, In the Red and Brown Water and more than 20 years of Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition-winning plays plus such world and regional premiere musicals as Tuck Everlasting, Aida, The Color Purple, Sister Act: The Musical, Bring It On: The Musical, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, Harmony, A New Musical and The Prom. Jody is most proud of the thriving Alliance engagement activities and partnerships that recognize theatrical work as a catalyst for community conversation and connection.

Sasha Smith
Intimacy Consultant
Martinique M. Barthel *
Stage Manager
Bio

Martinique is thrilled to return to Milwaukee Rep this season as Stage Manager for Toni Stone and New Age. Previous Milwaukee Rep credits include The Niceties and Nativity Variations. Regional credits include Milwaukee Black Theater Festival (2020 & 2021), Stew, Underneath the Lintel (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), The Gospel at Colonus (Skylight Music Theatre), Belonging, Native Gardens, Sex with Strangers (Renaissance Theaterworks), Black Nativity ‘17 and ‘18 (Black Arts Milwaukee), Assassins, A Little Night Music, Kiss Me, Kate (Four Seasons Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, Lines, Constellations, The Bed (Theatre LILA), The Mojo and the Sayso (Theatre LILA/Bronzeville Arts Ensemble), Change Your Mind, Change the World (2012) and The World We Make (2016) panel discussions with His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama.

Shaina Pierce *
Assistant Stage Manager
Bio

Shaina is thrilled to make her debut at Milwaukee Rep. Shaina hails from Atlanta, Georgia where she worked as an ASM on the world premiere musical Darlin' Cory and A Christmas Carol at Alliance Theatre. Shaina is also the inaugural recipient of the Stage Management Fellowship at Alliance Theatre. Shaina has worked on Disney's The Little Mermaid, A Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Other credits include Intimate Apparel, Legally Blonde: The Musical and The Last Five Years. She is extremely proud to have earned her MFA at The University of Alabama. She thanks her family and loved ones for their continued support.

Daniel Blanco
Assistant Director
Bio

Daniel is an award-winning director, actor, writer and editor, and a recent graduate of the BFA Acting Program at UCSB. Since graduation, Daniel has been focused on continuing his work in creating and presenting unique stories about the Latinx experience through both film and theater. He is very excited to be joining Milwaukee Repertory Theater for the season! Daniel has most recently co-directed On the Verge Santa Barbara’s Home Project and directed Center Stage Theater’s Malcolm and UCSB’s Trumpus Caesar. Aside from theater, Daniel has also written and directed the Salsa-Noir film “Sorpresas,” as well as the SBIFF Stay-at-Home Showcase Audience Favorite “El Cantante” and is currently wrapping up a new three-part series “De La Luna, Del Sol.” Daniel’s dream is to write and direct a jukebox Fania musical about his family, but will settle on starting a Salsa band if that doesn’t pan out.

Kai Liebenstein
Production Assistant
Jada Boggs
Line Producer
Laura Braza
Line Producer
Amar Adkins
Dance Captain

*Denotes an artist represented by Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Featured Events

The Inclusivity of Women in Sports
The Inclusivity of Women in Sports
After the Tuesday, January 11, 6:30pm performance of Toni Stone
Join us for this post-play panel, featuring moderator Melanie Ricks (Milwaukee Bucks) and all-star guests from the world of college and professional sports, as we pay homage to history and history in the making.
Learn More

Featured News

From Diamond in the Rough to Baseball Diamonds: Toni Stone's Story
From Diamond in the Rough to Baseball Diamonds: Toni Stone's Story
By Lindsey Hoel-Neds
Toni Stone follows the story of pioneering baseball player Marcenia “Toni” Stone, the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues. Learn more about the true story of this trailblazing spirit.
Full Story
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