Supporter Spotlight: Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Started in 1915, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is one of the oldest community foundations in the world and houses nearly 1,400 charitable funds. Grants from these funds serve people throughout metro Milwaukee and beyond, and First Stage is a grateful recipient of their support.

This season, First Stage received a generous grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for the regional premiere musical of THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, and its related programming and community engagement.

First Stage's 2019/2020 production of THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS, Paul Ruffolo Photography

This new production for children ages 4+, brought Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex’s epic picture book to life on stage with puppetry and age-appropriate casting, and taught the importance of teamwork. It opened on March 6 and ran through March 12—at which point, First Stage needed to postpone, and eventually cancel, the remaining performances due to the Covid-19 shutdown. First Stage looks forward to triumphantly remounting this production in our upcoming season.

First Stage’s arts-integrated programming related to THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS enriched core curriculum with in-school workshops along with tickets and transportation to the production, and served 555 students in six City of Milwaukee schools. First Stage had scheduled much more related programming that was unfortunately canceled due to school closures.

First Stage; however, was grateful that to be able reach families (more than 100 people) across Milwaukee with three Community Game Nights prior to the Safer At Home orders coming into effect. First Stage hosted these game nights throughout the City, at Kluge Elementary, St. Augustine Preparatory, and the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center on March 5. Through these events, we invited families to come together for an evening of games and fun, where they were encouraged to work as a team and support each other. Families participated in five different games including an ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissors Battle Tournament, as well as shared dinner together as a community. 

Families expressed appreciation for the opportunity to spend quality time together with their loved ones. Several participants shared that they had not played the featured games before and that they enjoyed the chance to learn a new game.

First Stage is grateful to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for supporting our ability to provide meaningful and enriching theater experiences that connect to core curriculum and connect families with one another and to the greater community.