Who Are We?
Board of Directors and Principal Advisers
![]() Michelle Owczarski
Board President Michelle is an independent video producer. She graduated from Marquette University with a major in Broadcast and Electronic Communications. Michelle is also an active volunteer at St. Thomas Aquinas Academy in Milwaukee. She is an independent video producer and voice talent. |
![]() Michelle Young
Board Vice President Michelle is a human resources professional focused on program management and continuous improvement at Rockwell Automation, advising and coaching stakeholders to help them define problems and build a plan for action. She has a master’s degree in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hamline University. In addition, Michelle is Lean Six Sigma green belt certified. She actively supports the performing arts in Milwaukee, and is especially proud that Shakespeare in the Park makes theater accessible to the entire community. |
![]() ML Cogar
Dramaturg, Humanities Advisor ML specializes in close reading of all kinds, from the enigmatic grandeur of ancient literatures to the baffling blandness of contemporary standardized test questions. To feed her greed for language, ML teaches analytical reading and writing at Alverno College and Shakespeare at Marquette University. However, it is ML’s work with Optimist Theatre that most excites her passion. A perpetual student of Shakespeare, ML has edited performance scripts, compiled research, and assisted literary interpretation since the first Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest in 2010. |
![]() Tom Reed
Associate Artistic Director Tom is a founding member of Free Shakespeare in the Park; when not lending his support and talent to that pursuit, Tom can be "scene" as an actor on local stages, roaming the halls of Alverno College as an Assistant Professor of Theatre and, on occasion, ring announcing for locally produced boxing cards. Tom also has a burgeoning film career, appearing in numerous Milwaukee area film productions. Tom has made a career in Arts and Education -- he may not be rich, but he is happy. |
We are also our sponsors and our audience...
The enthusiastic support of corporate sponsors, foundations, and arts and community organizations, including UPAF, Milwaukee Arts Board, the Wisconsin Arts Board and the National Endowment for the Arts -- among many others -- has allowed Optimist Theatre to advance its stated goals along with those of these underwriters. Their optimism has found a champion in Optimist Theatre!
As instrumental as the backing of these sponsors has been, the hundreds of generous donors who have given $1 to $1,000 are who have made the extraordinary strides of this organization possible, particularly in the growth of Shakespeare in the Park. The shared dream of each of us, to bring new audiences to the arts, and to build an institution that is accessible to all, binds us.
Finally, the tens of thousands of people who have been entertained and educated and inspired by Optimist Theatre programs for more than 20 years -- you are Optimists as surely as those who learn lines, rig lights, drive to the gigs, mail the appeals and undertake all the other necessities of what we do!
As instrumental as the backing of these sponsors has been, the hundreds of generous donors who have given $1 to $1,000 are who have made the extraordinary strides of this organization possible, particularly in the growth of Shakespeare in the Park. The shared dream of each of us, to bring new audiences to the arts, and to build an institution that is accessible to all, binds us.
Finally, the tens of thousands of people who have been entertained and educated and inspired by Optimist Theatre programs for more than 20 years -- you are Optimists as surely as those who learn lines, rig lights, drive to the gigs, mail the appeals and undertake all the other necessities of what we do!