Milwaukee, WI

Scholarship seeks to bring ‘new voices’ to Milwaukee’s improv scene | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Published

12 months ago

December 11, 2024

Scholarship seeks to bring ‘new voices’ to Milwaukee’s improv scene | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Pedro Ruvalcaba (from left), Monchi Cavillo, Maria Acosta, Chuky Razo, Vince Figueroa and Mia Serafina pose after a show at the Interchange Theater Co-op, at 628 N. 10th St. The September show was conceived as a way of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photo provided by Interchange Theater Co-op)

Those historically left out of the world of improv comedy have a new opportunity to get involved in Milwaukee’s growing scene.

The Interchange Theater Co-op, a community-run improvisation theater and school, has established a scholarship for classes, specifically encouraging people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people to apply.

“Milwaukee is unfortunately very segregated, and there is a large white population at our theater and other theaters in the area,” said Vince Figueroa, education director at the Interchange, located at 628 N. 10th St. “So the challenge is: How do we reach out to those other communities to get them to come perform with us and see and learn and embrace the thing that we love?”

The scholarship aims to address this challenge.

‘A really valuable art form’

Figueroa gives all the credit for the scholarship, called the New Voices Improv Comedy Scholarship, to his colleague, Mia Serafina, the Interchange’s community and culture director.

Serafina grew up in Milwaukee but performed on improv teams in less-diverse parts of the state. After returning to Milwaukee after college in 2021, she reconnected with Latinx performers and was reminded of how isolating a lack of diversity can be for an improv performer of color

“I think accessibility to improv helps with people recognizing that it’s not just for one group of people. It’s a really valuable art form, but without points of accessibility, it’s hard to find your way there,” said Serafina.

“We just want a fuller presence at our theater,” she added.

The scholarship covers the $200 cost of a class, removing a financial barrier to entry.

“I know people who want to take classes in the scene at various theaters but unfortunately can’t, just because of the cost,” said Michael Kittelson, an LGBTQ+ comedian who performs at the Interchange.

A more diverse group of performers also reduces other barriers, Kittelson added.

“As a gay man, going into maybe a group elsewhere that might mostly be straight, that could be intimidating for me – not just talking about an improv group but just like a group that I’m not used to,” he said.

All about improv

The Interchange offers five core courses to help individuals learn different aspects of long-form improv.

Improv, short for “improvisation,” is where performers create characters and dialogue on the spot.

People may be familiar with improv from popular television shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” which debuted in the U.S. in 1998 and ended its most recent run in February.

But there are different types of improv.

While “Whose Line” features short-form improv – quick, one-off scenes often based on audience suggestions – many improv classes, including those at the Interchange, provide training in long-form improv.

Long-form improv involves performers creating a series of interconnected scenes, which allow for richer characters and more sustained narratives.

“There’s just something so freeing and exciting about walking onto the stage and discovering what the scene is going to be, discovering who your character is going to be, helping your scene partner discover who they are,” said Figueroa. “So it’s its own unique art form.”

A more diverse group of performers creates stronger comedy in general, he added.

“You say ‘improv’ and some people have this standard image of four middle-aged white guys in flannel doing improv,” Figueroa said. “So when you get other people who don’t look like that … there might be some other references that you wouldn’t think of or connections you wouldn’t necessarily make.”

For more information

People interested in the scholarship can apply online.

The next deadline to apply is Dec. 20, with classes beginning on Jan. 13.

Those with questions can email education@interchangetheater.com.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee police search for missing 14-year-old

Published

2 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee police search for missing 14-year-old

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Adrian Stillman, who is considered critically missing.

Stillman was last seen on foot at around 5 p.m. Monday in the 3600 block of West North Avenue.

Stillman is described as a 14-year-old white male, weighing 108 pounds and standing 5’05” with a slim build, brown eyes, and short brown hair. He also wears glasses.

Stillman was last seen wearing a black coat with red accents, a green T-shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Stillman should call the Milwaukee Police Department’s District Three at 414-935-7232.

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Milwaukee, WI

Fatal beating in Milwaukee; 47-year-old struck multiple times, killed

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Fatal beating in Milwaukee; 47-year-old struck multiple times, killed

article

Milwaukee Police Department (MPD)

MILWAUKEE – A person was beaten to death in Milwaukee overnight on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Incident details

What we know:

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, at about midnight, the 47-year-old victim got into a physical altercation with other people and was struck multiple times on the front and back of the head.

The altercation happened near 11th and Locust.

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The victim was taken to a local hospital by an associate of theirs, but suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

MPD tips

What you can do:

Police are looking for those responsible.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.

The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department sent FOX6 the information.

Crime and Public SafetyNewsMilwaukee

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Milwaukee, WI

4 Bucks Ruled Out Ahead of Pistons Game Saturday

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

4 Bucks Ruled Out Ahead of Pistons Game Saturday

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without some key cogs against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

More news: Doc Rivers Credits NBA All-Star-Turned-Bucks Assistant with Big Impact

Per the Bucks’ official X account, the club will still be missing nine-time All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, starting point guard (for now) Kevin Porter Jr., and reserve 3-and-D forward Taurean Prince due to injury. Giannis’ little brother, Alex, will be putting in reps with the Bucks’ NBAGL affiliate in Oshkosh, the Wisconsin Herd.

Injury Update: Kyle Kuzma (Illness) is questionable for tonight’s game vs. Detroit.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 22, 2025

Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to miss the next one-to-two weeks of action, at least, with a low-grade left groin strain. The two-time league MVP had previously been shelved because of nagging knee tendinitis, which cost him two games prior to this latest ailment.

When he has been available this year (in 13 games so far), the 2021 Finals MVP has been averaging 31.2 points on .629/.500/.636 shooting splits, 10.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.9 steals a night.

Obviously, missing the Bucks’ best player will prove costly against the hottest team in the league. Detroit is in the midst of an 11-game win streak, and doesn’t seem likely to drop even a road matchup in Milwaukee, at least without the threat of Antetokounmpo.

Other Milwaukee Absences, Explained

Prince, meanwhile, underwent neck surgery to treat a herniated disc, and could be unavailable for multiple months as he recuperates.

Porter, anointed to be nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard’s positional successor at the starting point guard spot heading into the year, has missed all but one game for Milwaukee. The 6-foot-4 USC product first sprained his ankle during the Bucks’ season opener, and then tore his meniscus in his rehab ramp-up. Without Porter, Ryan Rollins has stepped up.

Rollins’ development likely signifies the end of Porter’s tenure as his club’s starting point guard, especially the longer his recovery drags on. Through 16 games, the 23-year-old University of Toledo alum has been averaging 18.3 points on .511/.443/.800 shooting splits, 5.9 dimes, 3.9 boards and 1.6 swipes per bout.

Per the team, newly-minted starting small forward Kyle Kuzma has seen his status demoted to questionable ahead of the Pistons clash, as he may be struck down by a new, unspecified illness.

According to the league’s latest injury report, Pistons power forward Tobias Harris (right ankle sprain) and shooting guard Jaden Ivey (return to competition reconditioning) are questionable to play. Combo forward Bobi Klintman (left ankle sprain), power forward Isaac Jones (G League assignment), guard Marcus Sasser (right hip impingement), and two-way players Wendell Moore Jr. and Tolu Smith (on assignment to Detroit’s G League squad) are all out.