South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company

We’re off and running on rehearsals for Singin’ in the Rain, coming to the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center from March 15 through 17. Tickets will be available shortly, right here and at www.southmilwaukeepac.org.

But for the first time ever, the spring musical won’t be the final performance of our SMHS theatre season. We’re excited to announce the implementation of our Advanced Theatre Series, a concept created by some Thespian leaders, which has officially been given the green light to proceed.

The general aim of this series is to offer students with an interest in a higher-level theatre experience with an opportunity to participate in shows involving a smaller cast and more mature or advanced themes and literature. Throughout the rehearsal process there will be more of an emphasis on textual analysis, more opportunities for students on and offstage to take part in the production and administration processes that are part of putting together a show and more opportunities for student directors to take charge of scenes.

The play we’ve selected for the first-ever Advanced Theatre Series show is Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007.

“Becca and Howie Corbett have a picture-perfect family life in the suburbs of New York until a random, tragic accident takes the life of their four-year old son. Soon after, Becca’s younger, irresponsible sister, Izzy, announces that she is pregnant: there will now be a new child in the family. As Becca and Howie grow apart, Becca’s mother, Nat, badgers Becca about her grieving process, and Jason, the young driver who killed their son, continually shows up to ask forgiveness, the group is on a bumpy road to healing with no road map in sight. Rabbit Hole delves into the complexity of a family navigating deep grief, and learning what it means to live a fruitful life when things fall apart.”

Performances will be June 21 and 22 and 7:30 p.m. in the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Audition dates to be announced.

If this year’s Advanced Theatre Series show goes well, we hope to make it a permanent part of the SMHS Theatre Company season.

We’re excited to give students more opportunities to create theatre, and community members more opportunities to see it! Hope to see you this spring at one of our productions!