United Performing Arts Fund - UPAF

10/13/2026

Milwaukee Theater Week is here!

So many great shows to check out from UPAF Members from three separate shows at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Skylight Music Theatre's production of Gypsy, Florentine Opera Company's La Traviata, a delightful bilingual adventure with First Stage, Bel Canto Chorus opens their season, and Renaissance Theaterworks' Great White Throne - there's just so much to see!

We hope you'll not only enjoy some time at the theater this week, but that you take a minute to post and share your favorite Milwaukee Theater Week experiences, we love to see them!

https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/mke-theater-district/events/mke-theater-week

10/08/2026

Milwaukee Theater Week is next week!

Make your plans now to get your friends together and take in a performance or two (or three!) during next week's lineup of performances around Milwaukee - including many of UPAF's 14 Member groups!

What show is a must-see for you next week?

From October 9-18, Milwaukee’s live entertainment powerhouses and world-class performing arts groups will turn the spotlight onto themselves and are inviting you to come along for the ride. Keep checking this page for details on giveaways, exclusive events and ticket promotions all week long.

10/02/2026

UPAF's Funding Day on October 1st was a joyful celebration of performing arts and community - it's the day we announce the funds we raised over the course of the campaign to our Members and Affiliates, and celebrate our 2026 Co-Chairs (the amazing Cecelia Gore and Vince Vitrano). UPAF is always so happy to celebrate at MYAC, where several of our Member groups call home. Thanks to all who attended for a wonderful morning shaking your pompoms with us while we celebrated the 2026 Campaign.

And now we're looking forward to UPAF's 60th Anniversary Campaign in 2027!

Photography by Meg Strobel Megow.

09/30/2026

Businesses across our region have partnered with UPAF through our Workplace Giving campaigns because thriving performing arts create thriving communities to live and work in.

UPAF makes workplace giving easy, helping with campaign planning, support materials, performance opportunities, and more! Employee giving to the performing arts can excite and engage your employees - especially with many of the benefits being a UPAF donor can provide.

Interested in learning more about workplace giving? We can't wait to show you how we can tailor a campaign that works just for your business. Contact us at [email protected] today!

09/19/2026

UPAF's September Arts Beat hit email inboxes earlier this week - and you could have already been in the know, if you were subscribed!

Subscribe today to UPAF's free monthly performing arts newsletter, and you can plan shows you want to go to, learn about stories you didn't know before, and events you can't wait to attend...and more!

Email from UPAF A world premiere, your fall performing arts guide, and more! A monthly look inside the stories, stages, and supporters shaping the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin.   Maybe We

09/18/2026

UPAF is happy to join in the celebration of the announcement of Black Arts MKE, Inc.'s new Artistic Director, Dimonte Henning.

We are excited to see Black Arts MKE expand under his artistic leadership, broadening their theatrical offerings and growing more talent in Southeastern Wisconsin!

Congratulations to Dimonte and Black Arts MKE!

09/15/2026

UPAF is nuts for this Nutcracker 3-day Sale!

From Sept 15-17 you can save up to 50% off select tickets to UPAF Member Milwaukee Ballet's "The Nutcracker"!

Check it out and get your tickets at https://milwaukeeballet.org/The-Nutcracker

09/12/2026

Have you nominated a local arts champion for UPAF's 60 for 60 list yet? The submission deadline (September 30th) is right around the corner.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2027, we also want to celebrate the leaders who have helped make the performing arts in Milwaukee shine!

Get your nomination in today at https://upaf.org/60for60

09/11/2026

September in Milwaukee means that the 2026/2027 seasons are opening or in rehearsal - it's the perfect time to plan your fall show ticket purchases! We suggest using the UPAF Fall Performing Arts Guide in this month's Milwaukee Magazine to help guide your choices: https://www.milwaukeemag.com/upaf-presents-your-fall-2026-performing-arts-guide/

But don't pay more than you have to - make sure you're a UPAF Smart Card donor! An annual donation of $150+ gets you the UPAF Smart Card - with two-for-one ticket offers at any of UPAF's Member Orgs PLUS dining discounts around town. We're here to make "dinner and a show" that much more fun!

Get your Smart Card today and support the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin all while saving on the best shows of 2026/2027: https://smartcard.upaf.org/

09/03/2026

Recently, Milwaukee lost a performing arts trailblazer in Daniel Petry.

Dan was, to many, one of the most prominent faces of Present Music, as its Managing Director in the 90s and its Development Director for last 4 years. His work and impact extended well beyond Present Music with groups like the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Florentine Opera, the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and UWM’s Peck School of the Arts, to name a few.

UPAF and Dan have known each other well as he offered his talents to the performing arts throughout these roles. Many have already remarked on his talent for fundraising, for finding the connection between art and what brings the art to the audience. And of course his passion for music was unmatched. But to quote UPAF President and CEO, Annemarie Scobey-Polacheck, as she broke to the news to UPAF staff this week: “Dan exuded kindness above all.”

His kindness was his calling card – we all loved to see his smiling face at a UPAF event, when he dropped off brochures in the office, or when we simply bumped into him in the community. We will miss his joy, and the bright shining light he brought to the music lovers of all types in Milwaukee.