Our Vision
We believe that the theatrical arts broaden and enrich those parts of our minds and spirits that are most essentially human. Optimist Theatre is driven to reach artists and audiences across the economic, ethnic, and experiential landscape. We educate, entertain, and inspire through creative works of artistic integrity.
Our Mission Goals
Every season of Shakespeare in the Park is guided and gauged by these goals:
- To create theater that is imaginative, dynamic and of the highest professional caliber
- To celebrate the talents of the artists who create our work, to encourage creative collaboration within the company and to treat our colleagues with dignity and respect
- To serve as a “gateway” theater, bringing new audiences to the arts
- To create art that is accessible, financially, geographically, and culturally, to all people in our community, and to celebrate diversity in hiring, casting and marketing
- To be financially responsible, maximizing in-kind and volunteer contributions and implementing innovative, aggressive grass-roots fundraising campaigns
- To add to our community’s cultural footprint, helping to make Milwaukee an attractive place for entrepreneurs, professionals and businesses.