Theater
2022-2023
SPRING MUSICAL
Twelfth Night is a contemporary adaptation of the comedy by William Shakespeare and features a fantastic score by Shaina Taub. Named one of the best theatrical productions of 2018 by Time, The Hollywood Reporter and The Washington Post, Twelfth Night is a rousing contemporary musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy about mistaken identity and self-discovery. Twelfth Night tells the story of Viola, a young heroine who washes up on the shores of Illyria, disguises herself as a man, is sent to court a countess and falls hard for a Duke. As she navigates this strange and wonderful new land, she finds her true self and true love in the process.
There will be a 'pay what you can' brush-up rehearsal on May 4 open for East students and the community.
Friday, April 28 at 7pm: Twelfth Night
Saturday, April 29 at 7pm: Twelfth Night
Sunday, April 30 at 2pm: Twelfth Night
Friday, May 5 at 7pm: Twelfth Night
Tickets can be purchased at madisoneast.ludus.com
COMPLIMENTARY TICKET REQUEST for East Students
A Musical Adaptation of William Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT Conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub
Music and Lyrics by Shaina Taub
Originally commissioned and produced by The Public Theater Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Patrick Willingham, Executive Director
WINTER PLAY
Thursday, February 2 (approx. 1pm): Middle School invite to A Wrinkle in Time
Friday, February 3 at 7pm: A Wrinkle in Time
Saturday, February 4 at 3pm: A Wrinkle in Time
Tickets can be purchased at madisoneast.ludus.com.
FALL SEASON
Tickets can be purchased at madisoneast.ludus.com. Request a complimentary ticket.
Friday, October 21 at 7pm: We Found a Finger One Act Preview Performance
Saturday, October 22: Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival: District in Middleton
Saturday, October 29 at 7pm: We Found a Finger One Act Preview Performance
Saturday, November 5: Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival: Sectionals in Waunakee
Thursday-Saturday, November 17-19: STATE at UW-Whitewater
2021-2022
SPRING MUSICAL
In Person Tickets: madisoneast.ludus.com
Virtual Live Steam Tickets: mmsd.anywhereseat.com
FALL PLAY
The Eastside Players, East High School's Theatre Production Company, is hard at work rehearsing for its production of Mrs. Rhinehardt's The Wizard of Oz. This is the first theatrical production of this season and is East High's entry into the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival. This is the group's 11th year participating in this competitive theatre program. "It has been very energizing to see how much our theatre community appreciates the opportunity to return to storytelling on stage," said Paul Milisch, the Producing Director of Theatre. Mark Penisten, the Theatre's Technical Manager has also been working with East's Technical Theatre Club daily to train students on the protocols and technology, including operating cameras and video switching to offer a high quality live-streaming product in the Margaret Williams Theatre.
Paul and Mark have worked together since 2008, and share a common priority to put students in ownership of all elements of live theatre, not just performance.
This production will be available to the public October 22nd-24th.
2020-2021
Eastside Players 2020-2021 Welcome Video (What is it, how do you get involved?)
Spring 2021 Virtual Musical
The Eastside Players of Madison East High School are proud to present As You Like It from June 3-6. The show will be accessible to stream at any time during our virtual run.
As You Like It is a musical adaptation of the pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare. It was adapted by Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery with music and lyrics by Shaina Taub. As You Like It features some of Shakespeare’s most memorable speeches and characters as well as an engaging contemporary score written by Shaina Taub.
Check out this preview video by Tower TV reporters Austin and Elam.
Tickets are $5 can be purchased at mmsd.anywhereseat.com. Because we do not want anyone to be deterred by ticket pricing, any student, staff, and community member can request a complimentary ticket.
Questions? Contact Paul Milisch, Producing Director of Theatre, pmilisch@madison.k12.wi.us
December 2020 Performance Information
East High School Theatre is proud to present Alone, Together December 10-13. The performance will be available to stream online at any time during the virtual run.
In March of this year, as California entered a stay at home order due to the coronavirus pandemic, UC Santa Barbara’s LAUNCH PAD commissioned 24 distinguished playwrights to pen monologues and short plays inspired by the prompt “Alone, Together” and written to be performed in a video conference. The production explores the challenges, isolation, and impact of living during a global pandemic. This production will be the regional premiere of Alone, Together.
All tickets are $5 and can be purchased online. We do not want anyone to be deterred by ticket pricing. There is a simple form for all students, staff, and community to use to request a complimentary ticket.
Please contact Paul Milisch with any questions.
Thank you for supporting the work of our East High theatre artists.
UPDATE 12.18.20: East High Theatre students participated in the State level of The Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival last weekend. Students were able to participate in workshops, see other productions from across the state, and meet with representatives from college theatre programs. In addition to this programming, the show was also adjudicated by three professional theatre artists. As well as receiving the All-State Award for making it to the final round of the festival, the cast/crew were also given the following awards from the judges: Outstanding Ensemble, Excellence in Technical Theatre, and Excellence in Direction. CONGRATULATIONS THEATRE STUDENTS!
2019-2020
The Do It Yourself Frankenstein Outfit
by David Campton
A Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival Production
Friday, October 18 and November 1 at 7pm
East High Preview Performances
Saturday, October 19 (Time TBD)
District Performance at Middleton Performing Arts Center
East Side LIVE
February 21 and 22, 2020 at 7pm
A night of student-written sketch comedy and live music.
Urinetown: The Musical
May 1-9, 2020
Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollman
Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
Questions?
Contact Paul Milisch, Producing Director of Theatre, pmilisch@madison.k12.wi.us