News Summary
The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production facility has been declared a total loss due to severe flooding from the Menominee River. With damages exceeding $5 million, over 75,000 unique props and thousands of equipment pieces were lost, severely impacting productions such as ‘A Christmas Carol.’ The theater is establishing a temporary facility while working towards rebuilding and enhancing community engagement. Support from patrons is crucial for recovery efforts and continued operations amid these challenges.
Milwaukee – The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production facility in Wauwatosa has been classified as a “total loss” following severe flooding caused by the nearby Menominee River, which surged to over 14 feet in just six hours due to historic rainfall. The flooding has inflicted damages estimated to exceed $5 million, surpassing the limits of the theater’s flood insurance policy.
The flood has had a devastating impact, destroying over 75,000 unique props, costumes, and set pieces. Additionally, thousands of pieces of sound, lighting, rigging, welding, automation, projection, and paint equipment have been lost. This damage has directly affected the theater’s ongoing production of “A Christmas Carol,” hampering their preparations during an already challenging time.
As construction continues on the Associated Bank Theater Center in downtown Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Rep had been storing equipment at the Wauwatosa facility when the flooding occurred. In light of the recent disaster, the theater is making arrangements to establish a temporary production facility at another location to continue its operations while the Wauwatosa facility remains unusable.
Despite these setbacks, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater is committed to rebuilding, with an anticipated completion of the new permanent facility expected by early 2026. Meanwhile, the theater is receiving support from commercial production shops across the U.S. and Canada to help mitigate the impact of the flooding.
Leadership at the Rep emphasizes resilience and creativity amid these challenges, expressing optimism about the upcoming opening of their new facility in nine weeks. The theater is encouraging patrons to support recovery efforts through donations, a vital aspect of regaining stability after the disaster.
The Milwaukee Rep has a well-established reputation for community engagement and a focus on enhancing the audience experience. The ongoing construction project is part of a planned $80 million capital effort, aimed at introducing new facilities that will improve accessibility and comfort for all audience members.
Looking ahead, the theater is preparing a diverse and engaging upcoming 2025-26 season, with productions connected to local culture and themes. Financially, the Milwaukee Rep reports stability, with revenue of $34.8 million against expenses of $15.8 million and total assets of $107 million.
The current construction project also benefits the local economy by employing around 600 workers, reinforcing the community’s involvement and investment in the theater’s mission.
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Additional Resources
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Rep’s Massive Makeover
- Architectural Record: Milwaukee’s Repertory Theater
- On Milwaukee: Milwaukee Rep Season Overview
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee Repertory Theater
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee Repertory Theater
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