First Stage celebrates the spirit of giving all year long

Through our commitment to broadening our reach and deepening our impact within our community, the spirit of giving is something that First Stage celebrates not only during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year. With our performances, Theater Academy, and Theater in Education programs, First Stage finds meaningful ways to connect to families and community groups throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

“At First Stage, we always refer to our community as ‘our First Stage Family’” said Betsy Corry, First Stage managing director. “And what do we do with our families but share the special unique gifts we each have – and that is what First Stage tries to do as an organization all year long!”

One way First Stage gives back to the community is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. In partnership with UPAF Connect, a program of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), First Stage provides Big Brothers Big Sisters matches with tickets to select performances, with a pre-show theater workshop led by one of our Theater in Education teaching artists. This season alone, more than 260 “Bigs” and “Littles” will be able to attend a First Stage performance.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Workshop

“UPAF is proud to bring the power of performance to new audiences through UPAF Connect, presented by Brico Fund,” said Deanna L. Tillisch, UPAF President & CEO. “Through partnerships like this one, UPAF can share the power of the performing arts to enlighten, engage and unite the community. We are grateful to U.S. Bank for supporting UPAF Connect arts outreach with Big Brothers Big Sisters and to Member Groups like First Stage for creating life-changing experiences for local children and families,” Tillisch continued.

First Stage’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) is comprised of Theater Academy students that serve as ambassadors of First Stage. SAB members choose at least one service project each year to provide a new opportunity to give back to their community. The SAB recently wrapped up their second annual “Socktober” – an initiative to collect new and gently used socks throughout the month of October to donate to a local shelter. Throughout the month of October, SAB members approached their schools, friends and families to gather socks, collecting nearly 250 pairs.

“We like to think of this as a way to share a big, warm hug with the greater Milwaukee community,” said Rachel Young, a junior at Greendale High School and member of both the SAB and First Stage’s Board of Directors.

First Stage is also providing audiences an easy way to give back while at our performances this season. This year, First Stage is a partner with Hunger Task Force and Food for Families, its signature holiday food drive. Extended beyond the typical holiday season, First Stage has food collection bins in our theater lobby all season long to help collect nutritious food for hungry families and children in the greater Milwaukee area. Look for the Hunger Task Force bin in the lobby of the Todd Wehr Theater, or at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.

Want to incorporate First Stage into your spirit of giving? Search FirstStage.org to find opportunities to support First Stage through a tax-deductible gift, volunteer opportunities, or to consider the gift of tickets or Theater Academy classes for a young person in need.