Mission & History

Our Mission

Since 1959, Skylight Music Theatre has been dedicated to producing professional music theatre that entertains, inspires, and connects audiences. As Wisconsin’s only professional company devoted exclusively to music theatre, Skylight has built a legacy of artistic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Today, the organization serves thousands of audience members, students, artists, and community partners each year through performances, education programs, and outreach initiatives.

Mission Statement

To celebrate the transformative power of the musical and theatrical arts through innovation, education, and entertainment for Milwaukee’s diverse community.

Our Vision

A nationally recognized, premiere destination for music theater where new and reimagined musicals are created and thrive, innovative education programs flourish, and community gathers to be inspired by passion, creativity, and commitment to artistic excellence.

Our Story

For more than six decades, Skylight Music Theatre has played a vital role in Milwaukee’s arts community. What began as an ambitious vision to create a professional home for music theatre has grown into one of the region’s most respected performing arts organizations.

Throughout its history, Skylight has embraced both tradition and innovation, producing beloved classics, contemporary works, and new theatrical experiences while remaining committed to artistic excellence and community connection.

Our Milwaukee Home

Skylight’s story began in the summer of 1959 when a group of Milwaukee friends sought to enrich the city’s cultural life. Inspired by the creative energy they had experienced in cities like New York and San Francisco, they envisioned a gathering place for arts and culture. That vision shifted dramatically after an impromptu Gilbert and Sullivan performance by church musicians Jim Keeley and Ray Smith, inspiring the creation of what would become Skylight Theatre.

Growing an Institution

Over the decades, Skylight established a national reputation for producing a remarkably broad repertoire, including Broadway musicals, Gilbert and Sullivan, operetta, chamber opera, and original works. The company became known for its versatility, artistic excellence, and commitment to presenting both beloved classics and adventurous new productions. Through its work, Skylight helped cultivate generations of performers, directors, designers, and arts professionals in Milwaukee and beyond.

For the Next Generation

Today, Skylight remains committed to innovation, education, and artistic growth. The organization continues to develop emerging artists, create opportunities for students and educators, and bring audiences together through compelling music theatre experiences. While honoring its rich history, Skylight looks ahead to the next generation of stories, artists, and community connections that will shape its future.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Skylight Music Theatre is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all. We believe that diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our organization and enrich the stories we tell. We strive to foster belonging among our audiences, artists, staff, volunteers, students, and community partners while working to remove barriers to participation and access.

Land Acknowledgement

Skylight Music Theatre recognizes that Milwaukee is located on the traditional homelands of the Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee peoples along the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan. We honor the enduring presence of the Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida, Mohican, and other Indigenous nations who have stewarded this land for generations, and we recognize their continuing contributions to our community today.