Announcements
Announcement #1:
Our Director and Dramaturg for the 2025 Season: Kelley Faulkner*
Optimist Theatre is delighted to announce that Ms. Kelley Faulkner* will direct our 2025 season of Shakespeare in the Park! A beloved figure in Milwaukee’s theatre scene, Kelley is celebrated for her acting and singing talents, frequently showcased at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Building upon her impressive acting career, Kelley began her directing journey several years ago and has already built an impressive résumé. Optimist Theatre had the pleasure of working with her when she portrayed Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Her captivating performance combined Shakespearean finesse with sharp comedic timing, leaving audiences thoroughly enchanted. Now, Kelley steps into the director’s chair to lead what promises to be an exciting summer of outdoor theatre.
Building on the success of Optimist’s 2024 season, where we collaborated with other theatre companies, Optimist Theatre is excited to self-produce both of this summer’s plays. Kelley will not only direct but also bring her expertise as dramaturg, abridging and shaping the scripts and their vision.
Audiences can expect the imaginative approach Optimist Theatre fans know and love, with a small but mighty company of actors taking on all the roles in both plays. With Kelley’s skilled hands at the artistic helm, her talented ensemble will bring each story to life with energy and ingenuity. While we can’t reveal the titles just yet, stay tuned—those details will be coming soon!
In an exclusive Q&A, Kelley shared her thoughts on the upcoming season:
What attracts you to a project like Shakespeare in the Park?
“My favorite thing about live theater is the sense of community it creates and fosters and I think nothing exemplifies that ideal more than a small band of performers playing multiple roles in a centuries-old tradition of providing entertainment and conversation to their communities, AND doing it outside in nature. I’m also always excited to work with companies who prioritize local and union artists and workers and where community outreach is a part of the mission.
Tell us about your love for Shakespeare.
“After college, I actually thought my career would be as a Shakespearean actor, as all of my first callbacks out of school were for Shakespeare companies. That’s not the direction my career ended up going in, but my love for this work was reignited when I got to play the amazing Beatrice in 2017.”
What are the challenges and what excites you about creating abridged plays performed by only a small number of actors?
“The challenge is the excitement! As a director and choreographer, I always relish the opportunity to create something from scratch and make it my own. We get to create two entirely unique experiences for our audiences that they will have never seen before.”
We can’t wait to see Kelley’s artistry and leadership in action as she brings Shakespeare’s timeless works to new audiences. Stay tuned for updates on the plays, casting, sneak peeks, and ways to experience the magic of Shakespeare in the Park 2025!
*Ms. Kelley Faulkner is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Read more about Kelley at KelleyFaulkner.com
Our Director and Dramaturg for the 2025 Season: Kelley Faulkner*
Optimist Theatre is delighted to announce that Ms. Kelley Faulkner* will direct our 2025 season of Shakespeare in the Park! A beloved figure in Milwaukee’s theatre scene, Kelley is celebrated for her acting and singing talents, frequently showcased at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
Building upon her impressive acting career, Kelley began her directing journey several years ago and has already built an impressive résumé. Optimist Theatre had the pleasure of working with her when she portrayed Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Her captivating performance combined Shakespearean finesse with sharp comedic timing, leaving audiences thoroughly enchanted. Now, Kelley steps into the director’s chair to lead what promises to be an exciting summer of outdoor theatre.
Building on the success of Optimist’s 2024 season, where we collaborated with other theatre companies, Optimist Theatre is excited to self-produce both of this summer’s plays. Kelley will not only direct but also bring her expertise as dramaturg, abridging and shaping the scripts and their vision.
Audiences can expect the imaginative approach Optimist Theatre fans know and love, with a small but mighty company of actors taking on all the roles in both plays. With Kelley’s skilled hands at the artistic helm, her talented ensemble will bring each story to life with energy and ingenuity. While we can’t reveal the titles just yet, stay tuned—those details will be coming soon!
In an exclusive Q&A, Kelley shared her thoughts on the upcoming season:
What attracts you to a project like Shakespeare in the Park?
“My favorite thing about live theater is the sense of community it creates and fosters and I think nothing exemplifies that ideal more than a small band of performers playing multiple roles in a centuries-old tradition of providing entertainment and conversation to their communities, AND doing it outside in nature. I’m also always excited to work with companies who prioritize local and union artists and workers and where community outreach is a part of the mission.
Tell us about your love for Shakespeare.
“After college, I actually thought my career would be as a Shakespearean actor, as all of my first callbacks out of school were for Shakespeare companies. That’s not the direction my career ended up going in, but my love for this work was reignited when I got to play the amazing Beatrice in 2017.”
What are the challenges and what excites you about creating abridged plays performed by only a small number of actors?
“The challenge is the excitement! As a director and choreographer, I always relish the opportunity to create something from scratch and make it my own. We get to create two entirely unique experiences for our audiences that they will have never seen before.”
We can’t wait to see Kelley’s artistry and leadership in action as she brings Shakespeare’s timeless works to new audiences. Stay tuned for updates on the plays, casting, sneak peeks, and ways to experience the magic of Shakespeare in the Park 2025!
*Ms. Kelley Faulkner is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
Read more about Kelley at KelleyFaulkner.com
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