Other Work

Resident Lighting Designer, 2009-2016Falls Patio Players

In addition to the below experience, Alan has over eight years of guest service experience with both the Milwaukee Art Museum and Potawatomi Casino | Hotel. For more information about these and other previous positions, please visit his LinkedIn profile.

Arts Administration & Production

Brief Cameo Productions

Brief Cameo Productions

Associate Producer (January 2020 - Present)
Board Secretary (June 2020 - Present)

Brief Cameo Productions, Inc. produces high-quality concert stagings of classic and under-represented works of Musical Theater, showcases superior local and regional talent, and offers audiences artistic and cultural enrichment through live performance.
Project Highlights:
  • Director & Production Designer, Master Class (2024)
  • Director & Projection Co-Designer, Sunday in the Park with George (2023)
  • Director & Projection Designer, The Last Five Years (2022, cancelled due to COVID)
  • Projection Designer, Ragtime (2020)
  • Company Webmaster (2020 - Present)

Sunstone Studios MKE

Artist in Residence (July 2021 - December 2022)
Technical Operations Manager (July 2022 - December 2022)

Sunstone Studios MKE was a small, independent theater space conveniently located in downtown Milwaukee, WI, bursting with personality and quirk with an art-deco vibe. We were passionate about our craft and about sharing the magical experience of live theatre in an equitable and ethical way. We boasted a full season of shows, and our space was rentable – if you had your own idea for a production, open mic, or community arts event, we welcomed you to our space to give you the opportunity to showcase the creativity of the city of Milwaukee on our intimate stage.
Sunstone Studios MKE ceased operations in November 2023.
Project Highlights:
  • Multiple Production Designs (July 2021 - November 2022)
  • Company Webmaster (July 2021 - December 2022)

Cooperative Performance

Project Manager (various projects, May 2016 - April 2022)
Board Secretary (May 2016 - July 2022)

Cooperative Performance exists......to provide artists a forum to experiment, creating original works and innovative performances not otherwise attainable through traditional means of production;...to offer audiences a wide range of artistic and cultural enrichment; and...to inspire deeper thought and discussion into the issues concerning our communities - both local and global.We achieve this by creating collaborative and cooperative networks, providing platforms for artist education and feedback, and utilizing unconventional forms that integrate diverse perspectives and artistic disciplines.
Cooperative Performance ceased operations in July 2022.
Project Highlights:
  • Project Manager, White Rabbit Red Rabbit (2022)
  • Technical Consultant, Thunder Domestic (2021)
  • Project Manager, RE: Social/Divide (2021)
  • Technical Consultant, Embodied Truth: finding ways to move together (2021)
  • Company Webmaster (2020-2022)
  • Project Manager, Smörgåsbord (2020, canceled due to COVID)
  • Lighting & Sound Designer, Coriolana (2018)
  • Project Manager, Cooperative Performance One Act Festival 2018
  • Project Manager, A Piece of My Heart (2018)
  • Project Manager, Cooperative Performance One Act Festival 2017
  • Project Manager, Cooperative Performance One Act Festival 2016

Village Playhouse

Board Member at Large (July 2015 - July 2016)

Village Playhouse is a community theater that has been entertaining and delighting the greater Milwaukee area for over 40 years.The purpose of Village Playhouse is......to promote the advancement of the theatre arts within the community;...to stimulate and satisfy the community's cultural interests;...to advance the instruction and training of individuals seeking to improve and develop their capabilities within the theatre; and...to provide a forum for creativity and self expression of members.
Project Highlights:
  • Led the planning of WACTCON 2016, the bi-annual statewide conference for community theaters, including booking all workshop panelists
  • Chaired the Fundraising Committee, including planning a "HamBingo" Fundraiser in February 2016
  • Member of Play Reading Committee; helped craft the 2016-2017 season selection
  • Mediated discussions between the company and its primary venue
  • Drafted amendments to bylaws

Pink Banana Theatre Co.

One Act Festival Co-Chair (November 2012 - August 2014)
Board Vice-President (January 2012 - August 2014)

Pink Banana Theatre Co. was a theater company located in the heart of Milwaukee providing professional opportunities to emerging artists, including actors, directors, designers, and playwrights. Productions included a diverse offering of shows, including hundreds of original one-act plays by local and national writers in the annual One Act Play Festival.
As chair for the annual one act festival, I oversaw the process for selecting plays, hiring directors, and auditioning actors; documented all procedures and update manuals; set up online system for ticket sales and coordinated box office staff; addressed requests and concerns from contracted artists; reviewed options for purchasing resources and acquired accordingly from suppliers; identified and documented issues to initiate improvement strategies; and served as point contact for all artists via email.
Pink Banana Theatre Co. ceased operations in June 2015.

Milwaukee Gay Arts Center

Board President (April 2010 - December 2011)

The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center served and promoted the LGBT community of Milwaukee by providing a safe, secure, and friendly place for artists to express, display and perform relevant work.
The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center ceased operations in early 2013.

PrideFest Milwaukee

MGAC Stage Director (March 2010 - December 2011)

PrideFest Milwaukee aims to educate both the general community and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) communities about needs, issues and various aspects of the LGBT culture; to provide a forum to celebrate the history and accomplishments of LGBT people; and to create an environment for networking and outreach for services and community opportunities for LGBT people and their families and friends. The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center (MGAC) Stage, featured performances of theatre, dance, and music, showcasing the many talents and endeavors of our vibrant community.

Technical Production & Operations

Falls Patio Players

Resident Lighting Designer (September 2009 - December 2016)

Located in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Falls Patio Players has been entertaining audiences of all ages in southeastern Wisconsin for over 50 years. It all started when a group of like-minded community members got together at North Middle School, and decided to form a theater group while looking over the patio – and poof – Falls Patio Players was born! FPP is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that loves to have fun while putting on quality entertainment.
Projects:
  • Christmas Carol (Lighting & Sound Design, annually 2009-2017 & 2021)
  • Suite Surrender (Lighting Design, 2016)
  • My Fair Lady (Lighting Design, 2016)
  • The Odd Couple (Female Version) (Lighting Design, 2016)
  • Godspell (Lighting Design, 2015)
  • Hairspray (Lighting Design, 2015)
  • Mama Won't Fly (Lighting Design, 2015)
  • A Murder Is Announced (Lighting & Sound Design, 2014)
  • Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Lighting Design, 2014)
  • The Dixie Swim Club (Lighting Design, 2014)
  • The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs (reading) (Performer, 2014)
  • Leading Ladies (Lighting Design, 2013)
  • The Baltimore Waltz (reading) (Direction, 2013) 
  • 9 to 5 (Lighting Design, 2013)
  • Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (reading) (Direction, 2013)
  • And Then There Were None (Direction & Lighting Design, 2013)
  • The Woman in Black (reading) (Producer, 2012)
  • Guys on Ice (Lighting Design, 2012)
  • Stuck (reading) (Direction, 2012)
  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Lighting Design, 2012)
  • Escanaba in da Moonlight (reading) (Direction, 2012)
  • Almost, Maine (Lighting Design, 2012)
  • Some Enchanted Evening: the Songs of Rogers & Hammerstein (Direction & Lighting Design, 2011)
  • Dead Man’s Cell Phone (reading) (Direction, 2011)
  • Annie (Lighting Design, 2011)
  • ‘Til Beth Do Us Part (Lighting & Sound Design, 2011)
  • Quilters (Lighting Design, 2010)
  • Oliver! (Lighting Design, 2010)
  • Where There’s a Will, There’s a Relative (Lighting Design, 2010)
  • Forever Plaid (Lighting Design, 2009)

Skylight Music Theatre

Electrician & Board Operator (November 2012 - June 2015)

Skylight Music Theatre’s mission since 1959 has been to bring the full spectrum of music theater to a wide and diverse audience, in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight presents productions “Skylight Style” – using fresh approaches or interesting twists to create meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but also with their audience.
As an electrician, I worked as part of a team to hang and focus light plots in both the Cabot (proscenium) and Studio (black box) theaters. As a light board programmer and operator, I worked with designers to program light cues and address notes and changes to the plot during technical rehearsals, as well as executed lighting and sound cues under the direction of stage management, maintaining the technical integrity of the plot throughout the run.

Next Act Theatre

House Manager (November 2011 - March 2015)

Next Act Theatre engages the hearts and minds of its audiences with compelling, intimate, professional theatre intended to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas, and promote the development of new perspectives and understanding.
As a house manager, I provided exemplary customer service while training and managing a nightly-rotating volunteer usher staff. I addressed customer issues and complaints, providing resolutions as needed in conjunction with other staff. I also staffed the concessions booth as a licensed bartender.

Optimist Theatre

Production Manager (Summer 2010)

Coordinated production needs between all departments for Milwaukee’s very first Shakespeare in the Park. Worked with Stage Manager and team at large to create load-in and load-out schedules, as well as plans for inclement weather and safety. Supervised daily set-up and strike.

Milwaukee Repertory Theatre

Electrics & Sound Supervisor (October 2008 - May 2009)
Lighting Design Intern (August 2008 - October 2008)

Collaborated with designers to develop a plan for the lights and sound for all productions in the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, as well as communicating those needs between all other production departments. Managed two resident IA crew and oversaw over-hire union crew for load-ins.

The Santa Fe Opera

Electrics Apprentice (May 2008 - August 2008)

Worked as part of a team of electricians to hang repertory plot and complete nightly refocus for rotation of five different shows. Added electrical elements to scenery and props as determined by the designer and lighting staff, including LED and wireless dimming units. Served as both spotlight operator and deck electrician on various shows. Featured designer for the 2008 Apprentice Scenes.

Education

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre & Drama (completed May 2008)

Charlene M. Wackman Scholarship recipient (2005, 2006, 2007)Margaret Smith/Jane Butt Scholarship (2008)

Miscellaneous

ThirdCoast Digest

Freelance Arts Writer (February 2010 - January 2011)

ThirdCoast Digest was southeastern Wisconsin’s daily online magazine covering the events, issues, and ideas that shaped their readers’ lives. From expansive coverage of the region’s cultural life to breaking political news, engaging lifestyle features and much more, TCD delivered seven days a week to the Midwest’s "third coast" along Lake Michigan.
ThirdCoast Digest was acquired by Urban Milwaukee in November 2013.