Business Details
22 Years
experience
Your Premier Performing Arts Destination in South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) has been a cornerstone of artistic and educational excellence since 2004. Our mission is to enrich lives through creative, innovative, and diverse performing arts experiences, lifelong learning opportunities, and a state-of-the-art facility for events. Affiliated with the School District of South Milwaukee, we blend public education with professional arts programming to serve over 30,000 annual visitors, including students, local families, and regional arts patrons. Our team of dedicated professionals and volunteers fosters community partnerships that strengthen the creative economy while providing accessible, high-quality programming. With a 786-seat theatre and technical capabilities for world-class performances, we host hundreds of events annually, from school productions to community outreach initiatives.Our facility supports educational workshops, master classes, and hands-on technical training, empowering students and artists alike. Recognized for our entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to accessibility, we ensure inclusive experiences with features like wheelchair-accessible seating and discounted rates for non-profits. Backed by a passionate donor network and corporate sponsors, we remain a cultural hub where artistry and community thrive. Our strategic location, professional staff, and focus on exceeding expectations make us a trusted venue for performers and audiences. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we continue to innovate while honoring our legacy of arts education and community service.
Services
Performing Arts Series
Youth Theatre Programs
Event Rentals
Educational Workshops
Summer Outreach
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer professional theatre education programs serving 3,400+ district families annually
- Our 786-seat venue features state-of-the-art technical capabilities for world-class performances
- We maintain partnerships with local schools, businesses, and 50+ community organizations
- Our facility includes specialized learning spaces for technical theatre and performance training
- We provide accessible programming with wheelchair accommodations and non-profit pricing options
What people say
Acoustically sound
Comfortable seating
Professional staff
Great value
No bad seats
Services
Performing Arts Series
Our annual Performing Arts Series presents diverse professional productions for all ages. Featuring music, theatre, and dance performances from local and touring artists, this curated series offers cultural enrichment through accessible programming. The season includes family-friendly shows, contemporary works, and classic performances in a state-of-the-art venue with exceptional acoustics and seating.
Youth Theatre Programs
We provide hands-on theatre education through youth programs that develop performance skills and technical expertise. Students gain practical experience in acting, stagecraft, and production while learning from industry professionals. Our summer outreach initiatives and school partnerships emphasize teamwork, creativity, and artistic development for young performers and technicians.
Event Rentals
Our 786-seat theatre and support spaces accommodate diverse events with professional-grade technical capabilities. The facility includes dressing rooms, scene shop access, and rigging systems for performances, conferences, and community gatherings. Rental packages include staff support and customizable technical configurations for arts organizations, schools, and corporate clients.
Educational Workshops
We offer specialized workshops covering technical theatre operations, performance techniques, and arts management. These programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience in our professional facility, serving students and emerging artists. Curriculum includes master classes with industry professionals and practical training in stagecraft and production management.
Community Outreach
Our outreach initiatives expand arts accessibility through discounted programming, volunteer opportunities, and partnership programs. We collaborate with local organizations to provide free performances, educational resources, and venue access for underserved communities while fostering volunteer engagement and corporate partnerships to sustain these initiatives.
People
Barry Wiskirchen
Financial Advisor
Barry Wiskirchen serves as financial advisor for SMPAC, leveraging 25+ years of financial planning experience to guide donors through estate planning and charitable giving strategies that benefit both contributors and the arts community.
Questions
What types of performances are included in your Performing Arts Series?
Our season features diverse professional productions including music concerts, theatrical plays, dance performances, and family-friendly shows from local and touring artists.
How can students participate in youth theatre programs?
Students can join through school partnerships or community applications, gaining hands-on experience in acting, technical theatre, and production management under professional guidance.
What rental options are available for private events?
We offer venue rentals for performances, conferences, and community events with technical support, dressing rooms, and customizable seating configurations for up to 786 attendees.
How can I support SMPAC through donations or volunteering?
Support options include one-time donations, recurring contributions, planned gifts, and volunteer opportunities as ushers, docents, or event assistants for all skill levels.
What accessibility features does the venue provide?
We offer wheelchair-accessible seating, easy-transfer seats, elevator access to the theatre level, and assistive listening devices for patrons with diverse needs.
What educational resources are available for schools?
We provide technical theatre training, master classes, and performance opportunities aligned with school curricula, serving over 3,400 district families annually.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Rose Marie Walters
Dec 08, 2021
Report
Please donate to this starving theater. This is a beautiful place. They need to upgrade the sound system. Someone reach out to these wonderful young talented people and help them shine more. A beautiful place, you cannot hear them well. Please donate. Great place to do it with our young people. Great young adults. Some of them are going places.
Barbara Luke
Aug 06, 2021
Report
Moana Jr. was a wonderful experience. The cast was so talented. Seeing how much they enjoyed performing made the evening special.
Alan Lacy
Jun 16, 2021
Report
Beautiful place loved the show the Young Folks put on the show were fantastic superb I laughed I cried I felt emotions that cast was fantastic loved every minute of it I thank y'all for giving these young people an opportunity to show themselves off is a family's friends and the town you could tell they had worked hard interested in what they did and they enjoyed putting it on as much as I enjoyed watching it thank you again
Marilyn Hartmann
Apr 24, 2021
Report
Facility was very nice, comfortable seats, nice sound system. Handicap accessible but no restrooms on 1st floor. Has elevator though.
