Local couple make $5 million naming gift for Milwaukee Repertory Theater's studio theater

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read

As part of its planned renovation and expansion project, Milwaukee Repertory Theater will christen its flexible, black-box performance space the Herro-Franke Studio Theater, thanks to a $5 million naming gift from David Herro and Jay Franke.

Milwaukee Rep intends to build a new theater complex at its current site downtown on East Wells Street, completely redoing two of its three theaters as well as expanding its facilities into some little-used loading dock space. The complex will be named Associated Bank Theater Center; the Rep has a $10 million sponsorship agreement with Associated Bank through 2042.

The Rep aims to break ground in May, with a planned grand opening in autumn 2025.

An artist's rendering of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's future Herro-Franke Studio Theater, including a new bar and an acoustical barrier between performance space and lobby.
An artist's rendering of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's future Herro-Franke Studio Theater, including a new bar and an acoustical barrier between performance space and lobby.

Milwaukee Rep's studio theater, configured for audiences of 200 to 225 people, is the spot where it has performed some exquisite work by contemporary playwrights, including Lloyd Suh's "The Heart Sellers" and Dael Orlandersmith's "Yellowman."

The $5 million gift from Herro and Franke allocates $4 million to the Powering Milwaukee campaign, supporting the expansion project, and $1 million to Milwaukee Rep's John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Fund.

In a statement released by the Rep, artistic director Mark Clements praised the donors for being generous and sophisticated in supporting both the physical space and the work performed in it. "Their serious commitment to invest in new play development … is incredibly exciting and meaningful to us," Clements said.

Franke is a member of Milwaukee Rep's board of trustees.

David Herro and Jay Franke have made a $5 million gift to Milwaukee Repertory Theater to support a new studio theater and the development of new plays.
David Herro and Jay Franke have made a $5 million gift to Milwaukee Repertory Theater to support a new studio theater and the development of new plays.

Planned upgrades for the studio include modernized restrooms, an acoustical barrier between the performance space and the lobby, gathering spaces and a functioning bar.

Including the Herro-Franke gift, the theater's Powering Milwaukee campaign is at $70 million, more than 90% of its goal of $75 million.

In addition to the Associated Bank and Herro-Franke naming gifts, other major donations to the campaign include a naming gift of an undisclosed amount from Joe and Ellen Checota for the Powerhouse Theater, which Milwaukee Rep called the second-largest gift in its history; $5 million from The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation for The Herzfeld Education & Engagement Center, which will serve student programs; $2.5 million for the Sandra and William Haack Grand Lobby, which will connect all three Rep theaters; $2 million from WEC Energy Group; $1.55 million for the new Lubar Family Donor Lounge; and $1.5 million for the Northwestern Mutual Riverwalk space outside the theater building complex.

Milwaukee Rep moved into its present home in 1987. The Baker Theater Complex includes main stage Quadracci Powerhouse (720 seats); the Stiemke Studio (205 seats); and the Stackner Cabaret (186 seats).

More: Milwaukee Repertory Theater will begin construction on new home in May 2024

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Herro-Franke $5 million gift to Milwaukee Rep will support new plays