Milwaukee Youth Theatre
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In September of 2011
Milwaukee Youth Theatre
Turned 20
(A letter from current
advisory board member
Bob Sagadin)
Twenty years ago an elementary school teacher
had a vision for unlocking the creativity of young
people that couldn’t be realized in a traditional
school setting. He decided to leave his teaching
position, take his savings, and rent a storefront
on Milwaukee’s south side. MYT was born.
From the beginning this new children’s theatre
and art center was different. It wasn’t adults
performing plays for children, nor was it adults
incorporating some kids into certain roles in a
production. It was theatre for kids, by kids. Kids
as actors, and technicians, kids as crew and
stage managers and kids as student assistants to
an adult director whose goal was to put this
young team together, nurture it and lead it to
opening night. MYT was about exploration and
discovery. It was about process and
professionalism. It was about building confidence
in a non-competitive environment. It was about
opportunity and getting that first chance that
many kids never get.
Twenty years later the current gatekeepers at
MYT continue the legacy established by the
founder. Maintaining the same tradition of
discovery, adventure, achievement and
entertainment that has attracted aspiring
performers, supportive parents and community
audiences alike.
To be sure there have been changes. It’s been 15
years since the founder departed and the
company moved from the Bay View storefront to
the Resident Artists Program at Lincoln Center of
the Arts. Students have come and gone, as have
staff members, Productions have grown in scope
and audiences have grown in numbers. Operation
and production costs continually rise, while
corporate and foundation support becomes
increasingly more elusive to attract. Yet MYT
continues to survive and grow. There are a
couple of reasons for this. One is the amazingly
talented combination of management, board
members and staff that runs MYT today. All of
these people have other jobs, yet come together
with common purpose to bring affordable and
much needed performing arts opportunities to
the community. The second reason – parents;
parents who understand their children’s wants
and needs and make a commitment to providing
them with essential life experiences.
On a Sunday afternoon in a donated church space
in Shorewood, MYT held an event to celebrate 20
years of struggle and survival, joy and
achievement. Well over a 100 people attended.
Current students and staff performed parts of
past and upcoming shows. Former students and
staff came to visit. Parents, colleagues, family
and friends partook in the food, games,
entertainment and silent auction, Fun was had,
money was raised, but more importantly – much
more importantly – the transformative nature of
live theatre and the energizing spirit of the
performing arts were alive and well for everyone
to experience.
To the staff, board, parents, volunteers, kids,
event attendees and donors – thank you, thank
you, thank you. As a proud founding member of
MYT, I can say without reservation that this was
MYT’s finest moment.
Bob Sagadin
Milwaukee Youth Theatre
Turned 20
(A letter from current
advisory board member
Bob Sagadin)
Twenty years ago an elementary school teacher
had a vision for unlocking the creativity of young
people that couldn’t be realized in a traditional
school setting. He decided to leave his teaching
position, take his savings, and rent a storefront
on Milwaukee’s south side. MYT was born.
From the beginning this new children’s theatre
and art center was different. It wasn’t adults
performing plays for children, nor was it adults
incorporating some kids into certain roles in a
production. It was theatre for kids, by kids. Kids
as actors, and technicians, kids as crew and
stage managers and kids as student assistants to
an adult director whose goal was to put this
young team together, nurture it and lead it to
opening night. MYT was about exploration and
discovery. It was about process and
professionalism. It was about building confidence
in a non-competitive environment. It was about
opportunity and getting that first chance that
many kids never get.
Twenty years later the current gatekeepers at
MYT continue the legacy established by the
founder. Maintaining the same tradition of
discovery, adventure, achievement and
entertainment that has attracted aspiring
performers, supportive parents and community
audiences alike.
To be sure there have been changes. It’s been 15
years since the founder departed and the
company moved from the Bay View storefront to
the Resident Artists Program at Lincoln Center of
the Arts. Students have come and gone, as have
staff members, Productions have grown in scope
and audiences have grown in numbers. Operation
and production costs continually rise, while
corporate and foundation support becomes
increasingly more elusive to attract. Yet MYT
continues to survive and grow. There are a
couple of reasons for this. One is the amazingly
talented combination of management, board
members and staff that runs MYT today. All of
these people have other jobs, yet come together
with common purpose to bring affordable and
much needed performing arts opportunities to
the community. The second reason – parents;
parents who understand their children’s wants
and needs and make a commitment to providing
them with essential life experiences.
On a Sunday afternoon in a donated church space
in Shorewood, MYT held an event to celebrate 20
years of struggle and survival, joy and
achievement. Well over a 100 people attended.
Current students and staff performed parts of
past and upcoming shows. Former students and
staff came to visit. Parents, colleagues, family
and friends partook in the food, games,
entertainment and silent auction, Fun was had,
money was raised, but more importantly – much
more importantly – the transformative nature of
live theatre and the energizing spirit of the
performing arts were alive and well for everyone
to experience.
To the staff, board, parents, volunteers, kids,
event attendees and donors – thank you, thank
you, thank you. As a proud founding member of
MYT, I can say without reservation that this was
MYT’s finest moment.
Bob Sagadin
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