Author: All In

All In Productions has appointed a new Artistic Director, Erica Case. Case is replacing Robby McGhee, a founding member of AIP.

Erica Case is a Milwaukee native with over 10 years of local theater experience. She was an owner and founder of The Alchemist Theatre & Lounge, and is currently serving on the Board of Schmitz n’ Giggles.

“I am inspired by what AIP has done and look forward to continuing that legacy with a future of collaborative, humanizing and inclusive artistic work. Transformation begins with hearing each other’s stories and I believe that AIP can support a wide range of emerging voices. I am excited to move forward with programming that not only engages and entertains, but also allows everyone to see themselves in our work,” Erica Case said on her new role.

“Erica brings an amazing blend of artistry, leadership, and experience to the team,” Executive Director and Co-Founder Alex Scheurell said. “Her work with the Alchemist produced some of the most compelling theatre in Milwaukee and we’re thrilled to have her be bringing that vision and her dedication to collaboration to AIP. We’re excited about the team we have in place, and cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

A new Artistic Director is yet another marker of growth for AIP, which is now in its fifth season. AIP added a Marketing Director this fall (Joy Pouros) and a development staff position (Niki Cairns). In addition to staff growth, AIP is collaborating with Milwaukee Opera Theatre on the regional premiere of Dave Mallory’s Preludes this season.

There have been a lot of changes going on with All In Productions over the past few months. As we prepare for our 19/20 season, we wanted to update you as to the departures and additions to our Board of Directors.

Beth Lewinski has stepped down from the Board and her role as President. We want to thank Beth for everything she has done for us, from leading the board to serving as emcee for numerous AIP functions and acting on WAIP to assistant directing Putnam.

Niko King will serve as AIP’s Acting President in the interim.

We have some exciting additions to announce as well! Read more about new board members Jillian Smith and Liz Whitford Helin below:

Jillian Smith, Board Member

Jillian Smith is a Milwaukee native, with a theatrical career spanning more than four decades.  She trained with Marjorie Walker and the Theatre School Ltd. at UWM, and later at Harvard with David Wheeler, where Jillian earned her BA in Anthropology magna cum laude in 1994.  Over the next decade, despite living in Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Dallas, and traveling globally as an executive leadership development consultant, Jillian returned to Milwaukee regularly to perform with fellow Greendale High School alumni in fundraiser productions.  Jillian has worked with a number of local companies, including the Milwaukee Rep, Melody Top, Theatrical Tendencies, Waukesha Civic Theater, and Sunset Playhouse.  Her primary creative home for almost 15 years was Soulstice Theatre, where Jillian performed in dozens of shows (favorite roles include Sarah Norman in CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD and Germaine in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE), and directed numerous productions (including TICK, TICK… BOOM! and THE SECRET GARDEN).  Jillian also supported Soulstice offstage as a volunteer, board member, Board Chair, and finally as Artistic Director from 2013 through the company’s sunset in 2017.  She now works at Husch Blackwell, and lives on the south side with her two theatre-loving daughters, Sydney (15) and Zoe (13).

Liz Whitford Helin, Board Member

Liz Whitford Helin is excited to join the All In Productions’ Board! Theater has been a passion for Liz her entire life though she started performing in local theaters in 2008. Since then, she has had a multitude of roles at theater companies all over Milwaukee. Some of which include: the Alchemist Theatre, Milwaukee Entertainment Group, Schmitz ‘n Giggles, Fools For Tragedy, West Allis Players, and the Underground Collaborative. Liz has also had speaking roles in several Milwaukee based films including Life of the Party (2017), Broken Orbit (2012), and The Spade County Massacre (2011).

Currently, Liz is a Communication Coordinator for Kohl’s Corporate. Kohl’s has already been an amazing community partner, contributing volunteer hours and grant funds for AIP this year! Early in her career, Liz was a Philanthropy Associate for a medical non-profit where she planned major fundraising events. In her past, Liz also volunteered extensively as a vintage pin-up for a great non-profit that raised money for the USO and Veterans’ hospitals. She is thrilled to start this artistic and philanthropic journey with All In Productions as she has been a fan of theirs for years!

As part of its restructuring, All In Productions is proud to announce that Beth Lewinski is the newly elected Board President, serving a one year term. Niko King has been elected as Vice-President, also to serve a one year term. Elected to two year terms are new board members Nancy Backes, Steve Pfisterer, and Wes Shaver.

“This is a great, passionate, and knowledgeable group that will be serving as our board, and we know they will help lead us forward as we move into our fifth season and beyond.” said Alex Scheurell, AIP co-founder, Executive Director, and former Board President.

Beth Lewinski, President

Beth Lewinski is a performer, director, playwright and instructor.  A Milwaukee native with a degree in Film, Television and Theatre from the University of Notre Dame, she has worked with/for the Alchemist Theatre, ComedySportz Milwaukee, Radio WHT, Sketch 22, Schmitz and Giggles, V-Core productions, MoJo Dojo, Milwaukee Metro Voices and others.  She is co-host of the podcast “Who’s Doing What Now” and featured on All In Productions “WAIP” (formerly “PodCast and Crew.”)  She regularly performs with and is Associate Producer of Dinner Detective Milwaukee. She is thrilled to be serving as Board President for All In Productions.

Niko King, Vice President

Niko King is excited to be taking on an expanded role with AIP. She has worked with a multitude of theatre companies in the area and odds are you’ve seen her onstage or even in one of MIlwaukee’s many local indie features.

Nancy Backes, Board Member

Nancy Backes is thrilled and honored to take a seat on All In Productions’ board. She has been a fan of AIP since its beginning, and she served as dramaturg on past productions, including Next to Normal, The Wild Party, and Ordinary Days. Other local dramaturgy includes Flyin’ West (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble) and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Soulstice Theatre).

A retired Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of English at Cardinal Stritch University, her first scholarly publications involved theatrical subjects, particularly playwrights Tina Howe and Wendy Wasserstein. One of her recent essays analyzes how Elaine Stritch successfully performed a destabilized old age. Still active in academic life, Backes will assume the presidency of the Age Studies forum of the Modern Language Association in 2019, and she will present a paper at the annual MLA convention. She welcomes her advocacy role for AIP, a theatre that enables cast, crew, and audience to seek and embrace fresh perspectives.

Steve Pfisterer, Board Member

Wesley Shaver, Board Member

Wesley Shaver is thrilled to join the All In Production’s Board of Directors! Wes is originally from Cleveland, Ohio but moved to Milwaukee in 2003 where he earned his undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from Milwaukee’s own Cardinal Stritch University. After completing that degree, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Sport Management with a focus in end-game entertainment, food and beverage operations and hospitality management. Over the past decade, Wes has worked with Milwaukee based hospitality groups such as SURG Restaurant Group and Wild Planet Hospitality Group focusing on brand & concept development; as well as entertainment and programming.

In 2012, Wes developed ground breaking undergraduate and master’s level entertainment and hospitality business programs for Concordia University’s School of Business and served as the lead faculty member for four academic years. In 2017, Wes formed Revolve Experience Management and operates Milwaukee based food and beverage operations at Black Sheep and The Schwabenhoff. Mr. Shaver also serves as President of Milwaukee Pride, the parent organization for the internationally known, Milwaukee LGBTQ+ festival, “Pridefest,” which serves 45,000 attendees annually.

After a hiatus from participating in the performing arts, Wes is excited to join the energetic and spirited group of young artists at All In Productions who are not only contributing to

Milwaukee’s performing arts culture, but helping shape it. Wes is looking forward to helping the company’s leadership and board of directors on strategic planning, program implementation and development efforts to drive fundraising and sponsorships. Mr. Shaver is passionate about advancing the performing, fine, and visual art communities in Milwaukee and is thrilled to be taking an active role with All In Productions.

As we march forward into 2015, we at All In Productions are focused on taking the next steps forward as a theater company as well. We recently wrapped up our first ever show, The Last Five Years, and can’t wait to get started on our next one: Little Shop of Horrors. 

Part of expanding our presence in the Milwaukee theater community is enhancing our presence online as well. To that end, we’ve put together a brand new website that will be a great hub for information for interested auditionees and audience members alike.

If you have any questions, please feel free to fill out a contact form on our website or reach out to us on Facebook!