company history and core values
“MOT Productions, some of them now legendary, make it clear that opera can be both glorious and fun, combining theatre, dance, and music in a way that no other art form can quite match.”
Mike Fischer - World Premier Wisconsin
“Some of the most imaginative musical theatre in town during this century has been staged by Milwaukee Opera Theatre.”
Dave Luhrssen, Shepherd Express
Company History
Milwaukee Opera Theatre (MOT) was founded in 1998 by soprano Charissa York Glazner, who perceived a need for a community-rooted, professional opera company in the Milwaukee area. MOT’s inaugural production, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, was staged in June 1999, marking the company’s first and only offering that initial season. The production enjoyed artistic enthusiasm and community support, enabling MOT to expand to three productions the following season while also building a board of directors and formally incorporating as a 501(c)3. After Charissa’s final performance in 2004, MOT was led by Dawn Riesing (2004-2006) and then Jillian Bruss (2006-2009). Through their leadership, MOT continued providing crucial career building opportunities to young singers and sharing approachable, accessible opera with area families. With the arrival of Jill Anna Ponasik in 2009, MOT began investing more time and attention in the development of new work, especially work created by Milwaukee based artists, and in reimagining how opera might be shared with audiences in the twenty first century. MOT entered a super charged, highly collaborative, era that now includes three to five full productions each season, three free educational programs, and continuous new-work in development.
MOT is now known for its eclectic repertoire: from classic operas staged in unconventional venues (like Zie Magic Flute staged at Tripoli Shrine) to new work, for new audiences (like Camille’s Rainbow - an opera for babies presented on the floor of an office suite), and its strong emphasis on local talent, ensuring that programming not only serves area audiences, but directly supports Milwaukee-based creatives, reinforcing our bedrock belief in art as a force for community-building.
Core Values
COLLABORATION - GENEROSITY - CREATIVITY - CURIOSITY - TRUST - COMMUNITY
Collaboration: We believe the best collaborations are ones in which each partner is
considered intrinsically valuable to the project.
Generosity: We approach our work with a spirit of generosity; sharing our resources with the
artists in our community. We empower artists to partner with us in decision making, and invest
time, attention, and funding in fostering their work.
Creativity: We believe that each individual deserves the opportunity to express themselves
creatively and are dedicated to making spaces where that creativity can flourish. We
constantly revisit and revise processes toward better effectiveness.
Curiosity: We are curious about opera and continuously experiment with new ways for audiences and artists to connect.
We explore the un-amplified voice in all forms of music-theatre.
Trust: We trust artists and follow their lead. We invest in artistic ideas that lead us to
unexpected places. Artists trust us to manage our resources responsibly, and to prioritize
them in our decision making.
Community: All of our work stems from a bedrock belief that the artists in our community are
worthy of support and their work enhances the environment for all.