12 Women Honored as Milwaukee SHEroes at Milwaukee Rep

Milwaukee Repertory Theater will honor 12 Milwaukee SHEroes during the run of Eclipsed, March 3 -29, 2020. A Milwaukee SHEro is a woman* of color who exemplifies the values of dedication to one's community, collaboration and sisterhood. Milwaukee Rep received over 100 nominations, which an outside selection committee including Milwaukee Rep employees and community members, picked the following 12 candidates honored as Milwaukee SHEroes. All 12 women are doing their part to better the Milwaukee community.

· Dr. Lisa Edwards, Professor, Director of Counselor Education; Coordinator of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Marquette University

· Kai Gardner, Advocate Aurora Walkers Point Clinic, Tables Across Borders & EDOT Midwest Jewish Diversity Project.

· Crystal Hearvey, MPS Teacher

· Itzel Hernandez, Artist

· Dasha Kelly, Creative Change Agent

· Katie Avila Loughmiller, LUNA Co-Founder

· Shayvon McCullum Secure Bridges Founder

· Tina Nixon, Founder My Sistas Keepher

· Shavonda Sisson, Public Allies Milwaukee, Program Director of Ally and Alumni Experience

· JohnRaé Stowers, Assistant Director of Student Educational Services at Marquette University and founder of JazzyRae Boutique

· May Yer Thao, Assistant Deputy Director of Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development

· Diana Vang Brostoff, VA Medical Center Social Worker

*Women/she- we recognize the limiting nature of the binary use of women. We are explicit in being radically inclusive to those on the gender spectrum who claim identities outside of that binary; trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender queer/fluid are always welcome.

"These women embody values that everyone should aspire to obtain. Their bodies of work represent the richness that Milwaukee has to offer and crosses multiple disciplines and professions including arts and culture, medicine, nonprofit, academia and much more," said Community Engagement Director Leah Harris. "This campaign has solidified my belief that women are continuing to do the work and be the backbones of many different communities. Milwaukee Rep's mission calls upon us to ignite positive change in our community and I believe this is one way we are doing just that. It is even sweeter that this aligns so perfectly with our production of Eclipsed and so many traits you see in the characters onstage are mirrored in our own Milwaukee SHEroes!"

Milwaukee SHEroes will be honored at the opening night of Eclipsed on March 6, 2020 and their work will be highlighted during the month of March. Follow along on Milwaukee Rep's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MilwRep for updates.

Eclipsed, written by Black Panther star Danai Gurira, is a play about five extraordinary women and their tale of hope and resilience set in the midst of the Liberian Civil War. Drawing on reserves of wit and compassion, these defiant women ask: when the fog of battle lifts, could a different destiny emerge. Eclipsed was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play.

Eclipsed features a cast of five extraordinary women including Ashleigh Awusie (Kasimir & Karoline, The Gate Theatre in London) as Wife #2, Nancy Moricette (The Convert, The Public Theater) as Rita, Jacqueline Nwabueze (Measure for Measure, Public Theater Mobile Unit) as Wife #1, Matty Sangare (Brooklyn College )as Wife #4, and Nigerian-born, Milwaukee-raised actress Sola Thompson (La La La Strada, Proboscis Theatre) as Wife #3.

Eclipsed is directed by Associate Artistic Director May Adrales (In The Heights, Milwaukee Rep) with set design by Collette Pollard (The Chinese Lady, Milwaukee Rep), costume design by Kara Harmon (Steel Magnolias, Guthrie Theater) lighting design by Annie Wiegand (I Was Most Alive With You, Playwrights Horizons), sound design by Fan Zhang (Paris, Atlantic Theater Co), voice and text coaching by Judith Moreland (Poor Yella Rednecks, South Coast Rep), stage management by Kimberly Carolus and assistant director 2019/20 EPR Kelsey Robins.

Eclipsed is sponsored by WE Energies, Executive Producers Jackie Herd-Barber, Michael Barber and Judy Hansen with Associate Producers Catherine and Buddy Robinson. Milwaukee Rep is sponsored in part by UPAF.

Eclipsed runs March 3 - 29, 2020 in the Quadracci Powerhouse. Opening night is set for Friday, March 6 at 8pm. Purchase tickets at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.

For more information, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

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