Laura Monagle, public relations director for Pewaukee-based Staples Marketing, got the 166th annual City of Milwaukee Birthday Party started by singing an impressive version of the National Anthem.
It wasn’t the first time Monagle has been in the spotlight. In fact, she got her first gig as a fourth grader.
“I was selected to sing a solo in the school concert,” Monagle said. “From there I participated in other school performances, community theaters, and I’ve also had a lot of great opportunities to participate in professional productions.”
Monagle originally thought she’d attend school for theater, but ultimately decided that the lifestyle wasn’t something she’d like.
She has performed as a professionally paid actress and in community theater productions at the Skylight Theater, The Fireside Theatre and the Off The Wall Theatre, and she will be in an upcoming cabaret show at the Windfall Theatre in March.
Monagle has played many roles, but some of her favorites include Eva Perón, in “Evita,” the shrew in “Taming of the Shrew” and Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.”
Monagle said NBA Miami Heat star, Dwayne Wade attended one of her performances in a production of the Laramie Project, the story of Matthew Shepard, at the Windfall Theater in Milwaukee.
“I think it’s an outlet, almost like working out for me,” Monagle said. “I get an opportunity to go out there and put something out on stage and leave it there. Whether it’s music or theater it makes you think. It’s interactive and, frankly, I’ve made a lot of good friends because I’ve participated in it. I’m really thankful for that.”
