Skylight Music Theatre Announces Education Programming for Summer 2026

Four programs designed for Students to Train. Create. Perform. Belong. Under NEW Skylight Spotlight Name

MILWAUKEE, WI (March 30, 2026) – Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee’s home for Music Theatre, is proud to launch its summer 2026 education programming under a new education name, “Skylight Spotlight,” offering hands-on music theatre experiences for students in grades 3–12. Through immersive workshops, rehearsals, and performances led by professional teaching artists working in the field, participants will build skills in acting, singing, movement, collaboration, and creative expression. Some classes involve creating new musical material and others cover audition preparation geared towards college applications as well as for high school productions. Each program culminates in a performance or showcase for family and friends, empowering young artists of all experience levels to discover their voice, develop t

heir craft, make new friends, and take the stage in a professional theatre environment.

“I am thrilled for students to gain valuable knowledge about music theatre from some of the finest musical theatre artists Milwaukee has to offer,” says Artistic Director Michael Unger. “KidsWrites is a widely known and celebrated program in Milwaukee, giving young people the chance to see their own stories come to life on stage. With Grace and the Butterfly Effect, students also have the rare opportunity to help shape a new musical from the ground up—an experience that is both empowering and unforgettable. I am excited to direct this production and for students to gain hands-on experience working alongside a professional actor/musician. Our audition preparation workshops will build confidence as students get ready to take their next steps to shine in the spotlight at their high school or hopeful colleges and universities.”

Skylight Music Theatre is thrilled to partner for the first time with the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, where a portion of its summer education programming will take place. Among these offerings is KidsWrites, a well-known Milwaukee program for students in grades 3–8 that invites young artists to explore storytelling as both writers and performers. Over two immersive weeks, students create original stories and bring them to life on stage in a brand-new musical showcase, guided by professional teaching artists.

Expanding on these offerings, the organization will also present the TakeTheStage program for students in grades 8–12 at the Wilson Center, designed to prepare young performers for professional music theatre standards. Participants will refine audition techniques and performance skills while developing material suitable for high school and college auditions and will receive a high-quality video recording of their work. The program concludes with a showcase for family and friends. TakeTheStage will also be offered separately at Skylight Music Theatre from August 10–21.

Rounding out the lineup, the FindYourLight program offers students a hands-on introduction to developing a brand-new musical while building skills in performance, character development, and collaboration for students in grades 6-8. Participants will take part in the creation of Grace and the Butterfly Effect, book, music, and lyrics by Jane Kelley, Clifford Lee Johnson III, and Greg Alexander, working alongside professional artists from Skylight Music Theatre. The program culminates in a performance for family and friends, offering a rare opportunity for students to contribute to the early development of a new musical.

Together, these programs reflect Skylight Music Theatre’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists through professional training, creative exploration, and meaningful performance opportunities.

Program Details

Program: KidsWrites (Grades 3–8) Location: Sharon Lynne Wilson Center 

Dates: Aug 3 – 14 

Duration: 2 Weeks, Monday-Thursday  

Hours: 1 PM – 4 PM, Friday, Noon – 2 PM 

Cost: $500

Enrollment Link Here.

Program: FindYourLight (Grades 6–8)  

Location: Skylight Music Theatre 

Dates: August 3 – 21 Duration: 3 Weeks, Monday-Friday 

Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM, bring lunch 

Cost: $750  

Enrollment Link Here.

Program: TakeTheStage (Grades 8–12) — High School and College Prep 

Location: Skylight Music Theatre 

Dates: August 10 – 21 

Duration: 2 Weeks, Monday-Friday

Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM, bring lunch Cost: $600  

Enrollment Link Here.

Program: TakeTheStage (Grades 8–12) — High School and College Prep 

Location: Sharon Lynne Wilson Center 

Dates: August 10 – 21 

Duration: 2 Weeks, Monday-Thursday  

Hours: 9 AM – 12 PM, Fridays 9 AM – 11 AM 

Cost: $500  

Enrollment Link Here.

Registration and information: https://www.skylightmusictheatre.org/summer-programs  

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About Skylight Music Theatre: Skylight Music Theatre is Milwaukee’s home for music theatre. As a professional theatre company that produces innovative, high-quality musical productions that entertain, educate, and inspire, we are committed to providing a platform for local talent and showcasing the best of Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company, one of the state's largest employers of Wisconsin actors, and a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). Skylight Music Theatre marks its 67th season in 2026-2027.

About Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts: The purpose of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts is to enrich lives and strengthen community through the arts. The Wilson Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization situated in a beautiful 400-acre park in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Recognized as a cultural anchor in Southeast Wisconsin, the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts serves as a catalyst for lifelong discovery and exploration of the arts. This nonprofit serves more than 55,000 people annually, including 10,000 students. The Wilson Center focuses on three main disciplines: performing arts, arts education, and visual arts. In addition to year-round performances, the organization promotes lifelong learning through arts education programs, art classes and art exhibitions. For more information visit www.wilson-center.com.