A legacy of Milwaukee theatre
At Milwaukee Youth Theatre we pride our self at being many children’s very first chance to perform on stage. We hold open auditions for each show, regardless of experience. Students are involved in all aspects of theatre arts including: acting, scenic design and build, costumes, lighting, sound and stage managing. MYT is truly “Theater for children, by children”.
Our story
Peter Daniels, a teacher, founded the Milwaukee Youth Theatre (MYT) in 1991. The company started in a small storefront in Bay View next to the Avalon Theater. In February of 1992, the company incorporated and attained non-profit status. Performances were done both in the storefront as well as at the Avalon. In 1996 Mr. Daniels moved and Therese Burazin became Artistic Director. Therese was Executive Director until December, 2021. In January, 2022 Harmonie Baker became Executive Director. For the past 20 years, MYT has been artist-in-residence at MPS Lincoln Center of the Arts. Milwaukee Youth Theatre offers 3-4 touring productions each year, summer appearances in the community, and project-based learning through classes and workshops.
Mission
We steward empowering, Milwaukee theatre experiences for children, by children, affordable to all children.
Commitment to diversity and equity
Stories are better when the storytellers represent the vast experiences of the people who will hear them. At MYT we have the opportunity and the responsibility to create memorable, empowering theatre experiences that capture the imaginations of all Milwaukee area children. We are committed to doing that in a way that counts everybody in. To read our full DEI statement please click here.
Executive Director
Harmonie Baker
Harmonie Baker is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee’s Theatre Production program. She has 25 years of theatre experience from singing to acting, stagecraft to directing. Harmonie has worked with Milwaukee-area high schools and community theatres in costume design and construction since 2013. She also has a background in arts education with the MPS Rec Department and literacy instruction with Wisconsin Reading Corps. She and her family have been Milwaukee residents for over 20 years. They live in the Pigsville neighborhood in the Menomonee Valley.
Education Coordinator
Elisabeth Gallagher
Elisabeth Gallagher is a Minnesota transplant who found her home in Milwaukee. She has been in the theatre scene for 20+ years on and off the stage as an actor, director, costume designer and crew hand. She graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Performance and began working in the Milwaukee school system. She has worked with kids from K3 through high school. She enjoys helping students find new discoveries about themselves and the world through theatre. When not at the theatre she enjoys traveling and hanging out with her pups, Dory, Tavie and Nova.
Production team
MYT is fortunate to have a collection of technical experts who we call on regularly for our production needs. If you would like to be considered for a production team position submit your resume to contact@milwaukeeyouththeatre.org.
Board of Directors
Matt Pitton, Board President
Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin
Shenile Perry, Board Vice-President
Special Ed Teacher, Milwaukee Public Schools
Mark Konkel, Treasurer
CPA, Konkel Accounting & Associates
Rachel Goochey, Director
Graduate Assistant, Masters of Public Health, UW-Milwaukee
Darlene Grant, Director
APSW, MSW, MS, Family Services Coach, Next Door Foundation
Krista McCain, Director
Acupuncturist, Hundred Grasses Acupuncture
Elizabeth Moen, Director
Operations Specialist, Near West Side Partners
Jennifer Neumann, Director
Milwaukee Public Schools (Retired)
Jessie Sterner-Miller, Director
MA in Community Counseling
Billie Wastradowski, Director
People and Culture Generalist, Urban Ecology Center
Rebecca Wolfe, Director
Communications Manager
Harmonie Baker, Executive Director
Milwaukee Youth Theatre
Any questions? Email contact@milwaukeeyouththeatre.org or call 414-390-3900.