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 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 Milwaukee Youth Theatre has an artist-in-residence at MPS Lincoln Center of the Arts.

The Milwaukee Youth Theatre offers 2-3 touring productions each year, a summer program, and monthly classes and workshops. We also offer Girl Scout Workshops and free “How to Audition” workshops which are held prior to each audition.

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.

Staff

Harmonie Baker
Executive Director

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. Email harmonie@milwaukeeyouththeatre.org.

Mark Burazin, PhD
Finance Manager

Mark is retired from Kimberly Clark where he worked in Research. He works with our creative team to set show budgets, assists with financial planning and ensures that resources are properly allocated.

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.

Greg Davis
Set Designer and Builder, Director, Production Assistant

Rich Hawthorne
Set Designer and Builder

Mary Kostopoulos
Instructor

Rebecca Mitchell
Assistant Director, Stage Manager, Instructor

Julia Kendl
Lighting Designer, Production Assistant

Board of Directors

Therese Burazin, Board President

Theater Director/Instructor, Schauer Center, MPS (retired)

Mark Burazin, Ph.D.

Research Technical Strategist, Kimberly Clark (retired)

Jessica Berlin-Krivsky

Senior Lecturer, UW-Milwaukee

Nilsa Hernandez-Bakula, Lincoln School of the Arts Liaison

Bilingual Teacher

Terry F. Goins

Marketing Director, Briggs and Stratton

Michele Johnson, Lincoln School of the Arts Liaison

Teacher

Joshua Overholser, Board Treasurer

Group Controller, Rexnord

Matt Pitton, Board Secretary

Physical Therapist, Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin

Amy Riveria

Teaching Assistant, Woodlawn School

Robert L. Sagadin

Media Communications and Technical Theater Department – Prairie School (retired)

Any questions? Email contact@milwaukeeyouththeatre.org or call 414-390-3900.