theatre

Milwaukee Theatre Unconference

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There is a pretty cool event coming up that I am excited to be a part of: The Milwaukee Theatre Unconference.  What’s an unconference? An “unconference” brings like-minded people together to discuss topics they want to learn about, teach, and are otherwise passionate about. It’s going to be an exciting learning experience for everyone involved, whether seasoned theatre professionals or just lovers of the art.

Here are some details from the web:

The Milwaukee Theatre Unconference is geared toward getting the theatre community here together and asks the broad questions of “Where are we now?” & “Where can we go?”

All we ask is for people to bring their questions, ideas, open minds, experience and knowledge!

  • Food will be provided
  • rooms and time slots assigned different general topics.
  • Sessions are brainstormed ahead of time or can spring out from ideas during the day of the event.

Check out the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/153556254760221/

 

Tape by Stephen Belber

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Now here is a project I have been looking forward to for a very long time: Tape by StephenBelber.

The play’s focus is controversial, intense, violent, and very exciting!  I’ll be playing Vince, a bad‐tempered, drug-dealing volunteer fireman – a very different character from anything I’ve played before.

Another aspect of this show is the unique, site-specific setting. Tape takes place in a hotel room, and Pink Banana Theatre has teamed up with the Best Western Inn Towne Hotel to produce the show in a room of the hotel.

The show is already intense, and having only 12 seats inside a small 12 x 15 ft. room, will definitely increase what the audience is feeling, to say the least!

Here’s some info from pinkbananatheatre.com:

Tape, set entirely in a hotel room in Milwaukee, brings together old high school friends Vince, a bad‐tempered volunteer fireman, and Jon, an up-and-coming filmmaker. After reminiscing over old times, the conversation – and their friendship – turn nasty.

Tape, By Stephen Belber
November 8 – 21, 2010
at the Best Western Inn Towne Hotel, Downtown Milwaukee
Reservations only; seating is extremely limited!

Directed by Juanita Schuelke and Fjosh Redbeard
Featuring Rob Maass, Matt Kemple and Gwen Zupan


We began rehearsals a few weeks ago, and the show is really coming together.  It’s a great script, and Stephen Belber’s writing is deep and profound – a real “actors play”.  There are so many levels of power and corruption that seep into the characters of Vince and Jon, it has truly been a joy to work on this show.

www.pinkbananatheatre.com

Starting A Non-Profit

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Wow. Pink Banana Theatre Co is now officially a non-profit organization; recognized under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code.

I helped with the creation of PB about 6 years ago.  I was the Theatre Program Manager at Bucketworks, and part of my job was helping groups start and manage small theatre companies.  Flash forward a few years later after I had left Bucketworks, I received a phone call I got from Juanita, Pink Banana founder and producer.  She asked me to Co-Produce the theatre company with her, and one of the accomplishments on her to do list was obtaining non-profit status.  I took her up on the offer. Because I had worked on many PB productions, including the first show Pink Banana Theatre ever produced, I was familiar with the mission of the organization as well as the style of shows.

After about two and a half years of research, paperwork, drafts, edits, new drafts, more edits, the paperwork finally began to take shape into something presentable. The first step that began the paperwork nightmare was submitting a request for an Employer Idetification Number (EIN).  With this I could then file for our Articles of Incorporation as a Nonstock Corporation. I worked with the Board of Directors to adopt by-laws, a dissolution agreement, and the vision statement of the company.  Finally, everything was mailed along with all the official forms.

It was a huge undertaking, but I learned a great deal and certainly feel the satisfaction of accomplishment!

New Job!

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It’s been a great week, take a look!


MEDIA RELEASE ——————————Next Act logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 5, 2008

CONTACT:            Matt Kemple, PR & Marketing Manager
414.278.7780 ● mkemple@nextact.org
www.nextact.org

MATT KEMPLE HIRED TO NEXT ACT MARKETING POSITION

After a month long search and over 60 applicants, Next Act Theatre has chosen theatre professional Matt Kemple as their new Marketing and Public Relations Manager. Matt joins the already first-rate staff of Next Act mid-way through their 18th season, bringing with him an extensive theatrical background and love for the arts.

Matt is a resident of Milwaukee, having been transplanted here from Columbus, Ohio almost four years ago. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media, and Theatre from St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI with extensive acting, directing, technical, and production experience.

Previously, Matt was the Director of Theatre for three years at Bucketworks, a creative resource center located in downtown Milwaukee, as well as the Operations Manager at Mad Science of Waukesha County which focuses on providing science based learning activities for children.

Matt has aided in the creation of a dozen different theatre companies, groups and organizations across the Midwest, including multiple programs and events with emphasis on new and emerging local artists. During the summer of 2007, Matt worked as stage manager for former Theatre X Artistic Director John Schneider’s “Project Non-Violence”, a program associated with the Greater Milwaukee Boys and Girls Club focusing on the theatre process with local inner-city youth. He is currently the director and founder of the Milwaukee Sketch & Improv Festival, a celebration focused on promoting sketch and improv comedy throughout the Greater Milwaukee area.

Matt has extensive design and construction experience as well, including three theatre spaces, recording studio, library, wood shop, coffee shop, and deck.

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