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ARCo VISION

ARCo is a multi-skilled group of writers, actors, singers, musicians, dancers, designers, and creatives who are interested in:

• Investing in transformative group process
• Deconstructing the old
• Birthing the new
• Performing cutting edge pieces

The ARCo Ensemble, the new artists in residence theatre company of the Arc Theatre inside Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, is exploring rehearsal and performance methods inspired by Joseph Chaikin’s Open Theatre, Jerzy Grotowski’s Polish Lab Theatre, Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, Jean-Claude van Itallie’s work at La Mama, and Michael Checkhov’s PG techniques.

With a focus on process, ideally leading to transformation and change for actor and audience, works by other transformative theatre makers will be produced alongside original works created by ARCo. Ensemble members will collaborate to create a safe, supportive, and nurturing artistic environment within which to ask real questions, take risks, explore the edges, push boundaries, and address vital issues affecting our local and global communities; all while receiving financial support from Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel.

ARCo promises to be an artistic home for those with interest in physical theatre and
experimentation outside the “norms” of traditional living room drama. The ARC Theatre, a black box with a 90-seat capacity, inside Saint Kate, will serve as home base; but individuals, duos, and other small groupings might find various spots around the hotel and galleries where theatre making activities come to life. One of the first tasks of the ensemble was to co-create a language of physical gesture and movement to draw upon for use in its various theatre making activities. Subsequent tasks might also include vocal work and musical investigations. Along with training body and voice, ensemble members will work together to find topics and themes to consider in the creation of future works.

The ensemble began training and rehearsing in late May and have mounted this production in record time! Core ARCo members will sometimes be joined by other talented Milwaukee collaborators, as we add a fresh new voice to Milwaukee’s vibrant theatre collective.