3/30/2026 Update: Updated the Our Methodology section with info better clarifying which roles were counted in the reports.
3/30/2026 Update 2: Added clarification regarding acronyms used.
A lot has happened since we relaunched the Wisconsin Diversity Generals in early 2020: the murder of George Floyd broadened a nationwide reckoning with the systemic racism that is ingrained in American society and institutions, and in the theatre industry, the nationwide We See You, White American Theatre manifesto put companies and communities on notice. The Coalition of BIPOC Artists in Milwaukee released their own letter calling on theatres and their leadership to take action against the systemic issues that run deep within the Milwaukee theatre community. Theatres everywhere pledged to listen and to make meaningful changes.
It has now been six years, of promises, Diversity Generals, panels, and conversation, but how much have our theatrical organizations and the work they produce changed to reflect the expectations of the artists who bravely made their needs known in the publishing of these two crucial documents? Feedback received from artists in the community has led us to believe that BBIPOC artists in our theatre spaces still do not feel heard, seen, safe in, or represented by Milwaukee's professional theatrical community.
The Call to Action
With the release of this report, which will occur throughout the remainder of the 25/26 theatre season, we want to spur conversation in the community and in leadership about where we are growing and where we are falling short. The only way to ensure that theatrical spaces are safe for BBIPOC artists and that our stages represent Milwaukee and its community (a community that, statistically, is majority BBIPOC), we must take meaningful actions. Our goal is to show our local institutions where those actions must be focused as they continue to meet the lofty standards they set for themselves in 2020.
At a time when diversity is being attacked across the country, including by the current administration, we are using this data to urge the Milwaukee theatre community to take a hard look at how they facilitate these spaces and create more equitable practices that will give opportunities to those who are often disenfranchised and excluded. The time for endless cycles of discussion, problem identification, apology, and strategizing is over. It has been more than half a decade and if our theatres are not creating spaces that are safe for and representative of the community as a whole, then it is their responsibility to take radical action to correct those issues immediately. And it is the responsibility of the community as a whole to hold them responsible until those actions are taken.
Our Methodology
Our team analyzed cast lists of 13 non-Equity storefront type theatres and 8 Equity theatres in Milwaukee.
We used publicly available casting information, our team’s knowledge of both companies and actors, and information provided through the Diversity Study’s forms and the Diversity Generals to create this report.
We invited all companies in Milwaukee and actors who live in Wisconsin or have since moved from Wisconsin to help provide information that would help us vet data that we gathered.
We focused specifically on Milwaukee area theatres for these reports, but we will expand this to other Wisconsin based companies with future reports.
3/30/2026 UPDATE: Only actors listed in the adult cast/adult ensemble were considered for this study.
Understudy and swing casting information was used when available and regardless of whether the understudy or swing performed.
We recognize that there a broad range of identities for BBIPOC actors who are multiracial. For the purposes of this report, all will be identified simply as multiracial as we do not have complete information for everyone and narrowing down each identity may make individuals more easily identifiable.
Due to the sensitive nature of identity in this study, we will not be releasing our specific data as it could put individuals and communities at risk. However we do acknowledge that there is a margin of error of <5%. We still feel confident in the conclusions we will share as we continue to publish our work.
With each casting breakdown we will include Milwaukee’s census estimates so you can compare representation on Milwaukee’s stages to its actual demographic makeup. We acknowledge that census data is imperfect, in part due to a lack of representation for SWANA and South Asian populations and confusion for Latin/Hispanic populations, but it gives us a starting point to understand where we’re falling short when it comes to representation in our community.
3/30/2026 UPDATE:
AAPI - Asian-American and Pacific Islander
BBIPOC - Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color
SA - South Asian
SWANA - Southwest Asian and North African
Non-Equity Storefront Companies
We consider a company a storefront if they do not produce their work under agreements with the Actors Equity Association, the national union for actors and stage managers, but still provide compensation for the work of the performers (which is the deciding factor between Storefront and Community Theatre for the purposes of this study).
These companies are:
All In Productions
Bombshell Theatre Co.
Boulevard Theatre
Forte Theatre
Kith & Kin Theatre Collective
Outskirts Theatre Co.
Pink Umbrella Theater Company
Summit Players Theatre
The Constructivists
Theatrical Tendencies
Vanguard Milwaukee
Voices Found Repertory
Wisconsin Classic Stage
For the storefront companies:
We pulled the casting information for all companies above, with the exception of one company, since the Diversity Generals relaunched in 2020.
Only casting from full productions was used. This excludes casting information from fundraisers, readings, and other smaller one off events.
We also gathered information on directors and leadership (Executive, Managing, and Artistic Directors).
Equity Companies
We consider a company Equity if they produce shows under an agreement with the Actors Equity Association, the national union for actors and stage managers.
These companies are:
First Stage
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Milwaukee Opera Theatre
Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Next Act Theatre
Optimist Theatre
Renaissance Theaterworks
Skylight Music Theatre
For these companies:
We reviewed their casting information for the past three seasons.
Only casting from full productions was used. This excludes casting information from fundraisers, readings, and other smaller one off events.
We also gathered information on directors and leadership (Executive, Managing, and Artistic Directors).
A Note
Actors: If you feel that you have been misrepresented, please reach out to our team at [email protected]"
If you are a theatre in Milwaukee or the greater Milwaukee area that pays your performers and your company is not represented in this study, please submit your casting information for all paid productions to our team at: [email protected]
We do recognize that the casting numbers vary per company. We will note the total number of actors counted per company or season.
Our Staff
Adam Qutaishat - Actor, Playwright, Musician, Composer, Designer, & Director (Freelance, Chicago-based)
Alex Scheurell - Executive Director (All In Productions)
Ekene Ikegwuani - Actor & Musician, Company Member (All In Productions, The Constructivists)
Heather David - Actor & Music Director, Company Member (All In Productions)
Katie Cummings - Executive Director (Pink Umbrella Theatre Co.)