L-O-V-E for our MPS Partnership

Recognizing the intrinsic educational value of exposing young people to theater, First Stage has offered programming to Milwaukee Public Schools since our company’s founding. First Stage is a proud partner of the MPS Partnership for the Arts &Humanities—an allocation approved annually by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to support afterschool, weekend, and summer arts and humanities-related opportunities for children, youth and families.

The MPS Partnership for the Arts & Humanities supports First Stage’s afterschool partnership with six MPS schools—Allen Field Elementary, Golda Meir School, Kluge Elementary School, Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts, Stuart Elementary, and Trowbridge Street School.

Since December 2019, First Stage has been providing afterschool Theater Academy classes on-site to 120 students at these partner schools. Exploring the theater process, students have been building the actor tools of body, voice, and imagination while honing their cooperation and concentration skills. Students are currently preparing for their final presentation performance for family and friends.

On March 10, 2020, students will gather at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center (MYAC) for their final presentation through which they will share what they have been learning during sessions—including actor warm-up exercises and theater games they have learned, as well as a scene or musical number they rehearsed throughout the session. After their presentation, students and their families will enjoy a pizza party and a field trip to see a performance of First Stage’s world premiere musical, THE LEGEND OF ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS. In addition, all participating students will be given the opportunity to receive financial aid to attend First Stage’s Summer Theater Academy.