Running for the Future of First Stage

As many of you know the coming season at First Stage marks our 25^th year of transforming lives through theater, and there is much to celebrate! First Stage has grown to become one of the nation’s most acclaimed children’s theaters and the second largest theater company in Milwaukee. Committed to new play development, First Stage has presented nearly 40 world premieres in its history and has collaborated with renowned artists including Harry Connick Jr. and Stephen Schwartz, and award-winning authors Lois Lowry and Cornelia Funke.  Our Theater Academy, teaching life skills through stage skills, is the largest theater training program of its kind in the nation.  As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-in-education programming, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education programs promote active learning in our schools and our community, serving nearly 20,000 children each year.

As we celebrate our achievements, acknowledge the young people, artists and staff who made it possible, and honor the donors and audience members who have supported us through the years; a question arises. Having risen to such great heights, what do we do now? 

Runner and philosopher George Sheehan found himself in a similar spot after receiving an award as the outstanding distance runner of the year.  He answered thusly:

• “No matter what I have done, it can still be done better. No matter how well it has been done, it can still be done better. No matter how fast the race, it can still be run faster. Everything I do must be aimed at that, aimed at being a masterpiece. The things I write, the races I run, each day I live. There can be no other way. “ -Running and Being, pg. 255.

George is right. No matter the heights we’ve reached, we can still climb higher by expanding our reach, increasing access and scaling to new artistic and educational heights. Taking inspiration from these noble words, I have decided to attempt my first ever full Marathon, the Lakefront Marathon on October 2nd and to dedicate my efforts as a fundraiser for the future of First Stage. I am Running for the Future of First Stage and our collective commitment to becoming better every day.

Please support my efforts to continue to make First Stage a masterpiece by making a donation of $25 or more. Or, join the team and start your own Fundraiser in support of our 25+ initiative!

-Jeff Frank

Artistic Director of First Stage