National Resource for Theater, Arts, and Arts Education.
Theater Resource Programs
Through our THEATER RESOURCE PROGRAMS, an invitation is extended to all (profit and non-profit) theaters and established theater-related organizations to utilize Ten Chimneys as a place to retreat, rejuvenate, and collaborate.
For decades, Ten Chimneys was a beacon to the theater community. The “best of the best” from around the country were drawn to Ten Chimneys – and, upon arriving, were inspired. Ten Chimneys is reassuming its historic role as an important place for artistic creation, discussion, and leadership. Ten Chimneys Foundation is dedicated to being an inspirational resource to American theater.
Theaters and theater-related organizations interested in the possibility of hosting a program at Ten Chimneys are encouraged to contact Randy Bryant, President & CEO, at 262-968-4161 ×206 or rbryant@tenchimneys.org.
Examples of Past Theater Resource Programs
Retreats:
A number of theater-related organizations have held retreats at Ten Chimneys. These have included artistic retreats attached to specific productions and casts (e.g. Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater), as well as board and staff retreats, usually focused on long-range strategic planning (e.g. Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks).
Creation of New Endeavors and Institutions:
Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of professional theaters, was “born” at Ten Chimneys. Leaders in Wisconsin’s theater community had been trying to bring the State’s disparate groups together for many years. They communicated that having Ten Chimneys as a draw was integral to making the inaugural (planning) meeting finally happen, and that the historic context and inspirational power of Ten Chimneys made a real impact on the positive outcome of the gathering.
World Premiere Wisconsin, proudly sponsored by Ten Chimneys Foundation, held the opening of its inaugural festival celebrating new plays and musicals written by Wisconsin playwrights. New works were created by nearly 50 participating theaters and explore, illuminate, and celebrate the vastness of Wisconsin’s story, culture, and many great people who make up this great state. These pays were later premiered throughout Wisconsin.
Conferences:
The League of Chicago Theatres brought leaders from the top institutions in Chicago to strategize on how to strengthen the future of Chicago theater, Theatre Wisconsin held a successful conference for Trustees of theaters in Wisconsin, UW-Milwaukee’s PTTP and leaders in the Wisconsin theater community gathered to have a candid discussion about the challenges and future of the PTTP.
Workshopping New Productions:
The Chicago Humanities Festival workshopped and performed Noël & Alfred & Lynn (starring Rosemary Harris), Renaissance Theaterworks workshopped Red Pepper Jelly II, UW-Milwaukee’s PTTP workshopped and performed Beloved Celestials, and Pearl’s in the House by Art Manke was workshopped and performed.
Students and Educational Programs:
The National Endowment for the Arts held its New Career Development Program at Ten Chimneys, and Theater Communications Group held its New Initiatives Program here. Both are major educational projects of the respective organizations, focusing on the next generations of theater professionals (directors and administrators)
Representatives from the following organizations (among others) have participated in Theatre Resource Programs: