Theatre students get professional mentorship from First Stage Children’s Theatre

Carthage is currently well represented at a prominent regional theatre.

“Pete The Cat,” now running at First Stage Children’s Theatre in Milwaukee, is directed by Carthage adjunct faculty member Breannin Beelow ’13, M.M. 22. Professor Martin McClendon designed the scenery, and Christie Burgess-Martino, Carthage’s visual and performing arts events manager who is also a professional actor, is understudying the lead female roles. 

Both Ms. Beelow and Prof. McClendon gave Carthage students exclusive access to the production. “We like to bring professional practices into the classroom whenever we can,” said Prof. McClendon. “As a professional designer, I love it when I can give my students a look at the real world of theatre they are training to enter.” 

Prof. McClendon’s scenic design students got to attend an early technical rehearsal, spending over an hour touring the space and talking with the production staff about their various roles. “They got to meet with the theatre’s union stagehand crew and also talk in-depth with sound and light designers, as well as seeing backstage and speaking with Brea.”

Meanwhile, Ms. Beelow’s acting students got to see an early preview performance of this engaging show for young people. Ms. Beelow’s students were definitely impressed. Michael Ortin ’28 wasn’t familiar with children’s theatre and admitted to being skeptical, but came away impressed. “It’s really cool to have a professor in the field and see what it’s like being a part of a professional theatre company,” he said, “I learned so much about the world of theatre outside of Broadway.”

Student Anna Riess ’28 agreed: “The talent across the board was phenomenal!”

Ms. Burgess-Martino knows the onstage world very well. As a professional actor and member of Actors Equity, she maintains an acting career as well as running Carthage’s series of visual and performing arts events — a perfect example to students of how artists can “flex” their other skills to keep their careers going. “One of the most valuable things that Carthage offers our students is the opportunity to work with artists actively working in today’s performing arts industry,” Ms. Burgess-Martino commented. “It’s thrilling to play in the sandbox with two of my Carthage colleagues and show students how to pursue their artistic passions and also support themselves.” 

But the connections don’t end there: Ms. Beelow’s assistant stage manager Beck Trumbull took time out from work to meet with Carthage stage management students on campus. Mr. Trumbull was invited by current stage management professor Jessica Connelly, herself an Actors Equity member and longtime Milwaukee working professional, to talk about best practices and typical duties of a professional. And Jessica Baker, assistant lighting designer for “Pete The Cat” is currently designing lights for Carthage’s next production, “Life Cycle of a Star,” mentoring Carthage students on the theatre’s new ETC Ion lighting console. 

Being close to Milwaukee’s thriving theatre scene and working with professors who practice what they teach means Carthage students get a great advantage as they prepare to launch their own theatrical careers.

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Theatre Department

For more information, contact:

Martin McClendon: mmcclendon@gxitma.net