Theatre On Main

Theater on Main Summer Acting Classes are so much more than fun and games!  We actually instruct individuals to become better actors and techies in clear and concise weekly sessions that teach valuable lessons.  All sessions lead up to the final outcome of a theatrical production!

Our staff members are all professional actors and technicians who have been acting, directing, and instructing all around Southeastern Wisconsin for many years.

Each class must have a minimum of 10 participants.  Individual classes with less than 10 may be combined into similar classes upon review and discussion of all enlisted participants in lieu of the class being cancelled.

The Summer Camp starts with Week1 on June 21^st and ends with the Week 8 performance on August 13^th.

Morning sessions typically run from 9:00am until 12:15pm, and afternoon sessions typically run from 1:00pm until 4:15pm, unless otherwise noted.

Night classes are from 7:00pm until 10:00pm.

CLASS SESSIONS CODES: 

A = K-5 through 4^th Grades

B = 5^th through 12^th Grades

C = K-5 through 4^th Grades – Specialty Class

D = 5^th through 12^th Grades – Specialty Class

E = K-5 through 12^th Grades

F = Adult Nighttime Classes

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE:  If you sign up for all of the A classes or all of the B classes, plus one C, D, or E class you are entitled to a 10% discount for the summer!

ALSO AVAILABLE:   PRIVATE one-on-one music lessons by one of our fine music staff.  Times and lengths of each individual lesson subject to availability and pricing dependent on each individual student, and can be negotiated on an individual basis.

STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

Teen Coach & Educational Director:  JAMES A. SKIBA - has been a performer throughout much of southeastern Wisconsin for more than a decade.  He has taken the stage at many venues including but not limited to Vogel Hall, Uihlein Hall, The Pabst Theater and The Broadway Theater Center, and has been a member of professional groups such as The Skylight Opera, Broadway Baby Dinner Theater and The Milwaukee Ballet.  Some of his favorite roles include both Smudge and Francis in Forever Plaid, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, Prince Orsino in Shakespeare’s The Twelfth Night, and as Master of Ceremonies and a main performer in 2009’s production Christmas in New York at Theatre on  Main.  James is highly knowledgeable in the technical aspect of theatre as well, and has been the Technical Director for Kettle Moraine High School and Wauwatosa West Schools developing and advancing their technical programs.  In addition, he has designed sets for many different venues and theatrical productions throughout Wisconsin.  James is also an accomplished director and he is thrilled for the opportunity to direct this summer’s production of The Wizard of Oz at Theatre on Main!  James’ understanding of the many facets of the stage makes teaching theater to children and young adults a rewarding experience for all involved.

Youth Coach:  MASON RAY - has been involved in Theater for quite a few years.  He successfully established himself as one of the main leads during all 4 years of his high school attendance.  He also worked closely with the directors there and quickly became a favorite.  This led him to actually write, direct and produce original pieces as well.  He became well known for his improvisational skills and sharp wit on and off stage.  Mason is currently attending Elmhurst College in Chicago, Illinois.  He has worked for both First Stage Theater Academy and Summerstage of Delafield, with extensive acting, directing, and producing work throughout the area.  He was recently invited back to help direct and produce shows at his alma mater, Kettle Moraine High School.  In additon, he is a regular featured performer for the Summerstage Cast.

Music Coach:  JACOB SUDBRINK - has been in the music business for many years both as a performer and s a teacher.  His education is from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in music education.  He has been playing violin and viola for the past 16 years.  His experience on the violin brought him to start teaching the instrument over 9 years ago.  He has also been featured with his singing voice in the recently acclaimed productions of Forever Plaid in Menomonee Falls and Malt Shop Memories at Waukesha Civic Theatre, both this past summer.  Jason has been very busy for the past few years in the theater community acting as Music Director for many of the local theater groups around the Southeastern Wisconsin areas including  Shorewood Players, Whitefish Bay Players, Waukesha Civic Theater, Carroll University, Modejska Youth Theater, Brookfield Players and Sunset Players.  His vast experience and ability to teach young singers has also made him the main music instructor for the summer theater classes at Waukesha Civic Theater for past three years. 

Dance Coach:  RAYEN SINGLETARY – has been dancing for many year’s as it is her passion.  She has had formal tap, jazz and hip-hop training for over 15 years.  Rayen’s educational background for her dance training is from spending 5 years in the Carroll University education program and then spending 2 years as a teacher’s assistant for The First Stage Academy.  Additionally, Rayen has been a choreographer all over the Southeastern Wisconsin area in theaters and schools for the past 6 years.  Some of these schools and theaters include Oshkosh West High School, Carroll University, St. Joe’s Middle School and Waukesha Civic Theatre.

Specialty Coach:  CATHY PFEILER – has inspired countless students with her enthusiasm and passion for music.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Mankato State University and a master’s degree from Arizona State University.  She began teaching at Arrowhead High School in 1983 and has been an integral part of the district’s music program for the past 26 years, teaching all levels of students in choral courses and pouring her heart into numerous productions, musicals and concerts.  Several years ago, Pfeiler helped create the Broadway Company, a rigorous music program that recently earned national accolades for its performance of “Cats.”  The production was named outstanding musical when it was awarded 2008 USA Weekend HSM Showstopper.  She has also co-authored two books on choral methods and education.  At the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. Pfeiler was named Teacher of the Year and retired from her position as head of the distinguished Broadway Company at Arrowhead High School.

Specialty Coach:  JOE RAYMAN – has painted murals professionally for the past 20 years; many with Milwaukee Symphony Designer Showcase Houses including the dining room at local Showcase house “Knollward” on Lac la Belle.  In addition, he  has a mural at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.  Joe’s  murals span the United States from as far east as Greenwich, CT to as far west as Santa Barbara, CA and most states in between. He has recently been involved with local theatres painting sets for Lake Country Players and Theater on Main.

Teen Musical Theater Director:  TOM WEISSGERBER – was born and raised in Chicago, and has served for 13 years as artist-in-residence and theatrical director at Milwaukee Jewish Day School. He also teaches musical theater at First Stage Children’s Theatre and has directed Company class for First Stage in Hartland at ULS.  Thomas earned a BFA in Musical Theatre and continues to further his education in theatre.  He also can be found choreographing at Wauwatosa West High School, Whitnall High School, and Oak Creek High School. He has appeared in numerous musical theatre productions across the United States and loves to express himself both on stage and off. He is currently the Theatre Manager at the Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee.  He is excited to bring GLEE to Theater on Main this summer!

Musical Theater Director:  KAREN E. KRUGER - has directed plays and musicals for schools and community theaters in and around the Milwaukee area for the past 22 years.  Ms. Kruger is a third grade teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools.  She earned masters degrees in Administration and as Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  She is thrilled to offer A Taste of Broadway musical theater camp at Theater on Main!

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2010 SUMMER CAMPS COURSE LIST

Update 7/1/2010  There are a few classes that have been closed.  They are:

Class #8  Singing 101; Class #13 Singing 201; Class #17 Dancing 201; Class #20 Improving Improv for Younger Children;  Class #21 Set Design & Scene Breakdown; Class #23 Dance Audition/Solo Development;  Class #24 Kids Klassics; Class #25 Technical Tech; Class #26 Music Performance Preparation, Class #27 Dance Receital Preparation; Class #29 Advanced Theatre Games for Younger Children

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2010 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION FORM