Local couple makes major donation for Milwaukee Repertory Theater's new main stage

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·2 min read

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's new main stage will be called the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater, in recognition of a major naming gift from the Checotas.

Milwaukee Rep plans 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 through 2042.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater's new mainstage will be called the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater's new mainstage will be called the Ellen & Joe Checota Powerhouse Theater.

While the Rep said the amount of the Checotas' donation is confidential, it characterized their gift as the second largest in the theater's history, after the Associated Bank gift. Other seven-figure gifts in this campaign have included $1.55 million for the new Lubar Family Donor Lounge and $1.5 million from WEC Energy Group.

“Ellen and I have been proud residents of Milwaukee for 50 years, and we are proud to join the long list of donors who are funding the creation of the beautiful new home of Milwaukee Repertory Theater,” Joe Checota said in a statement released Thursday.

The Rep has dubbed this building fundraising effort its Powering Milwaukee Campaign; its current facility incorporates a historic 1898 Oneida Street Power Station previously donated by WEC Energy Group.

The redesigned Checota Powerhouse Theater will be in a flexible configuration, allowing Milwaukee Rep to convert the stage from thrust to proscenium configuration. It will have a fly loft, allowing the Rep to whisk scenery on and off from above the stage. These changes will make it possible to transfer productions created at the Rep to Broadway theaters and other venues. There will also be technological production upgrades and improved accessibility for both patrons and performers with disabilities.

Milwaukee Rep has not yet announced its timetable for construction.

Ellen and Joe Checota have given Milwaukee Repertory Theater a major donation to building a new mainstage theater space.
Ellen and Joe Checota have given Milwaukee Repertory Theater a major donation to building a new mainstage theater space.

Joe Checota is executive chairman of Landmark Healthcare Facilities LLC and Landmark Healthcare Properties Fund LLC, two family-owned businesses. The Checotas' other philanthrophic gifts include a pledge of up to $5 million for a Milwaukee Area Technical College scholarship program supporting students seeking a short-term technical diploma in one of 90 programs, such as welding, web development and carpentry.

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). The Stackner has a full-service restaurant and bar. Due to the age and condition of its facility, the Rep is paying more than $1 million annually in maintenance and upkeep, campaign co-chair Tammy Belton-Davis said at a November Rep event.

The Rep's next season begins in September with three productions, including the world premiere musical "Run Bambi Run."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Checotas make a major gift for Milwaukee Rep's new main stage