For many, the opportunity to chase their dreams exists, even if the path there feels daunting. For others, that opportunity may never materialize at all, simply because the infrastructure to support it doesn’t exist.
Take, for example, the dream of becoming an actor. You’d likely move to LA to audition, build connections, and gain experience. But for disabled individuals with that same dream, the resources and support needed to make that move may not be available – and for some, it may not be physically possible at all.
That’s why Pink Umbrella Theater Co., founded by Katie Cummings – a theater artist, educator and advocate for inclusion and diversity in theater – was started. Pink Umbrella provides the disabled community in Milwaukee with a platform for finding their voice, putting on professional performances, and living out their dreams.
How did Pink Umbrella Theatre get its start? What is your background?
Pink Umbrella Theater started in 2018 in response to the need for a theater working with adults with disabilities. I’ve been doing theater since I was a little kid and have been teaching and directing for over 30 years.
How long have you been in business?
Pink Umbrella was founded in 2018, classes started in 2019, COVID hit in 2020, and our first show was in 2021. We’ve performed and held classes in parks, churches, event venues, and nursing homes near Milwaukee since our inception.
What is Pink Umbrella Theatre, and why did you feel it would be a good fit in Milwaukee?
Pink Umbrella Theater was started for multiple reasons:
– Disabled Actors and Artists deserve a professional theater company that honors their lived experiences
– Disabled Actors and Artists deserve to have their stories told authentically
– Milwaukee needed to know that people with disabilities have a place in our thriving theater scene, too
What’s the mission behind Pink Umbrella Theatre?
Pink Umbrella Theater Company (PUT) is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit arts organization dedicated to centering artists with disabilities in the creation and performance of professional theater. Founded in 2018, PUT works at the intersection of arts, access, and inclusion—ensuring that disabled artists are not only included but lead the creative process.
Our mission is to create bold, original theater that amplifies the voices and experiences of artists with disabilities while advancing equitable access across all aspects of the performing arts. Our vision is a world where disability is fully represented and valued on stage and behind the scenes, and where accessible creative spaces are the standard, not the exception.
What is it like being a small business in MKE? If you’re a woman-, minority-, or LGBTQ+ owned business, please feel free to touch on your experiences as an entrepreneur in that space as well.
Being one of the small(er) arts orgs in town, it isn’t easy. Much of the funding pool goes to the big guys (REP, Skylight, First Stage, etc) so it does feel like we need to get scrappy every once in a while. But I will say that the small(er) arts orgs in town really do stick together. We help one another out behind the scenes to make sure that each of us finds success. We are excited to offer up performance space at our new building, Pink’s Accessible Theater House (aka the PATH). Many of us can’t afford to rent space from the bigger theaters, and it is our hope to be a home to established, as well as emerging, theater/performance artists in MKE.
What do you like about being in Milwaukee?
MKE has its very own personality and stories to tell. We are honored to be able to tell those stories from one of the city’s marginalized communities.
What’s your favorite part about what you’re doing?
Watching the confidence of our performers grow, the friendships in classes form, and the knowledge that because Pink Umbrella exists, there is an effort from theaters and arts performing orgs in Milwaukee to become more accessible.
What can people expect when going to Pink Umbrella Theatre?
Wonderful, authentic storytelling. And, we will meet you where you are and accept you for who you are when you walk in the door.