ATCA at Milwaukee Rep | Theater Leader Summit March 4-6, 2026

ATCA Reservation Ticket $25 available January 13, 2026 through February 14, 2026.

Members Only

The American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association will assemble in Milwaukee at a multi-day gathering of regional theater leaders to inaugurate the Milwaukee Rep’s new Associated Bank Theater Center from March 4-6, 2026. During the Summit –entitled “From Crisis to Catalyst: Transforming the Regional Theatre Landscape” — ATCA members attendees will hold selected ATCA-only events and join the Summit attendees for additional events, as well as attend additional meals, performances, and adventures planned and hosted by Milwaukee Rep.

Information about reserving rooms at the Saint Kate conference hotel at the special event rate will be provided by Conference Committee member Lou Harry after Member reservation tickets are purchased.

Stay tuned to this page and weekly ATCA newsletter for the latest developments for this special event.

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PRICE

• $25 Reservation Ticket provides a confirmed place on the ATCA participant list (limited to 40 total). Meeting spaces, opening and closing dinners, several lunches, post performance cocktail hours, tickets to three shows, access to tours and other events, and a travel stipend of up to $500 will be provided by the Rep.

See below in area beneath the Agenda text for a link to purchase a Reservation Ticket. ATCA MEMBERS ONLY wishing to register to hold a space for the conference will take the following steps. Remember we are limited to 40 members for this special event.

• Make sure you’re logged in as an ATCA member
• Click the EVENTS dropdown menu at the far right of the page (visible only to members)
• Select NEXT CONFERENCE INFO
• Scroll to the bottom of the event page to view the ticket visible only to ATCA members.
• ATCA member contact information will be be provided to Milwaukee Rep for registration finalization.
• Only ATCA members may purchase reservation tickets and begin the process for full event registration.

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MILWAUKEE REP LOCATION AND GROUND TRANSPORATION

Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Associated Bank Theater Center
108 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

There are many forms of ground transportation from MKE Airport (car rental, taxi, Uber and Lyft, bus). The airport is close to the hotel and theater. An Uber should be roughly $20.

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AGENDA

All times are Central Standard Time.

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WEDNESDAY | MARCH 4, 2026

4:00 pm REGISTRATION OPEN. Main Entrance.

6:00 pm WELCOME DINNER. Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center, Opening remarks by Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Rep. [ATCA members meet with Theater Leader Summit]

7:30 pm THE PIANO LESSON, by August Wilson, directed by Lou Bellamy. Checota Powerhouse Theater.

10:30 pm AFTER SHOW DRINKS. Lubar Lounge.

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THURSDAY | MARCH 5, 2026

9:00 am REGISTRATION. Main Entrance. Coffee and Breakfast, E&E Center.

10:00 am KEYNOTE Ayad Akhtar, introduction by Mark Clements, Milwaukee Rep. Herro-Frank Studio Theater. [ATCA members meet with Theater Leader Summit]

11:30 am BREAK

12:00 pm LUNCH. Petullo Rehearsal Hall.

1:30 pm ASSOCIATED BANK THEATER CENTER TOUR AND GROUP PHOTO. Meet at Main Entrance.

3:00 pm BREAK

3:30 pm ATCA SESSION: Theater Leaders in Conversation about the State of American Theater. Jeffrey Herrmann from Seattle Rep, Michael Barakiva from Cleveland Playhouse, and Rebecca Hopkins from Florida Studio Theatre will join ATCA members to discuss issues, challenges, and successes in the regional theater movement and their current institutions. ATCA host: Jay Handelman. Petullo Rehearsal Hall.

5:00 pm DINNER. Milwaukee Press Club News Room Pub.

7:30 pm MCNEAL, by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Mark Clements. Herro-Franke Studio Theater.

9:30 pm AFTER SHOW DRINKS. Oberland Lobby.

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FRIDAY | MARCH 6, 2026

9:00 am Coffee and Breakfast, E&E Center.

10:00 am ATCA SESSION: Milwaukee Rep Production Artists in Conversation. Mark Clements, Director, McNeal, Jason Fassl, Lighting Designer, McNeal; N’Jameh Camara, Actor, McNeal; and James T Alfred, Actor, The Piano Lesson. ATCA host: Lou Harry. Petullo Rehearsal Hall.

11:30 am BREAK

12:00 pm LUNCH. Petullo Rehearsal Hall.

1:30 pm ATCA Programming Block #3. Petullo Rehearsal Hall.

3:00 pm MUSEUM VISIT. ATCA attendees will visit the Milwaukee Art Museum (21-minute walk or 4-minute car ride from the Milwaukee Rep) that has grown from Milwaukee’s first art gallery in 1888 to Wisconsin’s largest art institution. Located a 5-minute drive from Milwaukee Rep on a 24-acre lakeside campus, MAM holds more than 34,000 artworks housed in buildings designed by architects Santiago Calatrava (2001), David Kahler (1975), and Eero Saarinen (1957).

5:30 pm CLOSING DINNER. Stackner Cabaret. Closing Remarks by Mark Clements, Milwaukee Rep. [ATCA members meet with Theater Leader Summit]

7:30 pm AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, directed by E. Faye Butler. Stackner Cabaret.

9:30 pm CHAMPAGNE TOAST. Stackner Cabaret.

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