What brought you to acting?
My mom loved watching old TV musicals and I grew up watching my older brother in musicals. I also sang a lot in choirs and small groups around town, so the desire to perform came naturally. Acting in high school was my way of doing something different from the music performing I knew.

What did 10-year-old Malkia think she'd be when she grew up?
I remember not knowing what I wanted when I was ten and was so frustrated that I couldn't figure it out. I guess I should have gotten a clue from all the pretend soap opera scenes I played out by myself in my room!

More about Malkia: 
Malkia is making her Milwaukee Shakespeare in the Park debut this year. She is native of Milwaukee and former Milwaukee Rep intern (2005/2006). She is a founding ensemble member of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Arts Ensemble. Favorite stage productions include: A Midnight Cry (First Stage); Burying The Bones (In Tandem Theatre); Good People (Forward Theater); Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (First Stage); Dreamgirls (St. Louis Black Repertory Theater); two years of performing in Black Nativity (Congo Square Theater); Raisin (Court Theater) among many others. 

She has also toured Japan, playing Nala in the concert version of The Lion King and received the Woodie King Jr. Award, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, for Lorrell in Dreamgirls. She is currently the face of the YMCA Metropolitan Milwaukee and enjoys making theater magic happen in her hometown, especially with her brother, Nathaniel; she dedicates her work to Chike and their three superstars. 

Catch Malkia in her next roles: at The Milwaukee Rep in Dreamgirls in September and A Christmas Carol in December, at First Stage in Holes and in Crowns at Skylight Music Theatre next winter. She will also be assistant directing The Mojo and the Sayso, a collaboration with Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Madison's Theatre LILA. 

We give you, THE BEATLES! In Pyramus and Thisbe (the play within A Midsummer Night's Dream), from 1964:

A taste of what's to come this summer at Shakespeare in the Park, courtesy of the outrageously charming Shayne Steliga who will portray Lysander.

What brought you to theater?
I was not what you would call a class clown, but at an early age I was able to make people laugh. I realized that people would actually listen to me, this awkward little shrimp, if I entertained them.

What did 10-year-old Tom think he'd be when he grew up?
My parents would call me upstairs when they had guests to perform Bill Cosby's Noah routine for their guests, so I was thinking I was going to be stand-up comic.

What is the greatest challenge that you anticipate in portraying Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Hmmm...there is so much discovery and change that happens in the rehearsal process. Can I answer this one after rehearsals start?

What do you hope that Shakespeare in the Park fans will take away from A Midsummer Night's Dream?
A damn good time. I want everyone that sees this show to have a friggin' blast.

Who should play you in the feature film of your life?
Me. Just because I want the paycheck that comes with playing a lead in a feature film.

What Shakespeare character do you most resemble?
All the bald ones, and hopefully by the time the summer rolls around I'll most resemble Puck.

What's your superpower?
My superpower is the ability to play trumpet teeth and harmonica mouth with no trumpet or harmonica.

Tragedy, comedy or history?
I love them all.  Whichever genre I'm rehearsing is the one I love the most.

Truth or dare?
DARE! I'm an actor --- I'm supposed to take risks.

Guilty pleasure?
Boxing. I love the sport and enjoy participating in it on a non-combat level when I get the chance.

More about Tom: 
Tom has portrayed various roles, including Leontes in The Winter's Tale, the title role in Macbeth, Feste in Twelfth Night, Caliban in The Tempest; he directed As You Like It. Tom is a member of the theater department faculty at Alverno College. He is a founding producer of Shakespeare in the Park and a member of Actors' Equity.

Of course, the show depends upon raising the funds to present it. To sponsor one (or more) of the minimum 2,440 people who will come together in July for the Shakespeare in the Park experience, go here.

The Cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream (2015)

Directed by Ron Scot Fry

How much are WE looking forward to this?!

Of course, the show depends upon raising the funds to present it. To sponsor one (or more) of the minimum 2,440 people who will come together in July for the Shakespeare in the Park experience, go here.

We could tell you what it is, but instead, we'll let Mr. Chris Flieller of In Tandem Theatre do it for us:

In case you're not a Shakespeare nerd, Chris will be playing Nick Bottom, the weaver who functions as the primary "clown" character in Midsummer.

In Tandem Theatre offers creative, exciting, professional live theater in a unique and intimate atmosphere. In Tandem’s eclectic programming, affordable tickets and casual atmosphere have garnered rave reviews and made loyal patrons from the Milwaukee area and beyond. Conveniently located in downtown Milwaukee, In Tandem is in the lower level of the big red church on 10th & Wisconsin. Three-hundred free and low-cost parking options can be found within two blocks of the theatre. Relax in the comfortable, spacious lobby before a show and enjoy live piano music, air-conditioning (or fireplace, depending on the season!), a visual arts gallery and a full bar including specialty cocktails. Take your beverage into the cozy 99-seat theatre and enjoy the show with an unobstructed view from every comfy chair. 

In Tandem’s 2014-2015 season continues with a new comedy, Come Back by Neil Haven (Feb 27–Mar 22), a quirky comedy about grief and moving forward. The season wraps up with a fresh, witty musical, Little By Little by B. Ross, E. Greenfield, H. Hackady and A. Jolles (May 1-24). This delightful chamber musical follows the lives of three friends from childhood to adulthood where they learn the value of friendship.