The Milwaukee Repertory Theater recently kicked off its 65th season, which includes almost 700 performances of 15 productions at four theaters in downtown Milwaukee. In mid-November, there was a flurry of activity at The Rep as the cast of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” held a tech rehearsal in the Quadracci Powerhouse theater to prepare for the show’s opening, while backstage crews were creating sets for “Junk” and loading in equipment for “A Christmas Carol” at The Pabst Theater. A nonprofit professional theater established by Mary Widrig John in 1954, The Rep moved to its current home at 108 E. Wells St. in 1987, where it puts on contemporary and classic performances from musical theater to a short-play festival.
- Properties director Jim Guy, assistant stage manager Rebekah Heusel, stage hand Bill Burgardt (standing) and actress Rebecca Hurd adjust a piano pedal at a tech rehearsal of “Miss Bennet.”
- “Miss Bennet” director Kimberly Senior gives notes to the actors after a dance scene rehearsal. “It’s pretty tight. I think you guys did such a beautiful job. There was one moment when you were off – a partner turn.”
- Tech crews work to align the lighting and sound with the actors’ movements during the rehearsal.
- Lighting equipment is staged as crews prepare to load it in at The Pabst Theater for “A Christmas Carol.”
- Mindy Knoll, prop graphics artisan, attaches foam popcorn and strands of garland to a prop that will be added to the Christmas tree in “Miss Bennet” between scenes.
