Mission

A home base for Wisconsin theater professionals that will expand the economic and cultural life of the greater Madison area.

What is Forward Theater Company?

Forward Theater Company is a not-for-profit professional theater company founded to fill a void in Madison — to provide exceptional theater experiences for area audiences and give professional actors, designers and directors an artistic home.

Why Forward?

This company is founded on a commitment to the civic life of our community. The Madison area, home to the University of Wisconsin and the state government, deserves a professional theater that can enrich our cultural fabric with the highest-caliber productions. This educated, diverse and engaged population likes, wants and expects top-quality entertainment options.

There is currently a vibrant community of professional theater artists living in and around Madison, but the lack of places to work in the city is forcing many to leave town or the profession. Forward Theater Company will create jobs for many of these artists and could provide education, hands-on experience and employment for graduates of the theater arts programs at the U.W.-Madison, MATC and Edgewood College as well as the UW’s Bolz Center for Arts Administration. Wisconsin Wrights, a playwriting festival now in its 3rd year, has achieved national recognition and needs a professional theater in Madison where its award-winning plays can be produced. One of our goals is to enable theater professionals to begin and sustain their careers here.

Why now?

In times of transition, the arts become even more essential in our communities.

“The arts help you see the transience of crisis, remove you to more pleasant spots, help you believe that everything will be all right. And they get you all fired up and ready to take a risk…. And the arts that matter most in the Midwest are the arts that live in the Midwest. They are our sources of education, enlightenment and (perhaps most important of all) pride in our hometowns. For the arts that live in your town don't just invite passive consumption…they demand an intoxicating blend of listening, participating, conversing.”

—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

The city of Madison and its surrounding communities have always been supportive of the arts in many forms — theater, music, dance and visual arts presented by amateur, semi-professional and professional organizations. Now, more than ever, our governments at the national, state and local levels are recognizing that the arts are a vital factor in job creation and retention and should be a priority in long-term planning. Madison has invested in a noteworthy arts infrastructure but now needs to focus on professional arts job creation and sustainability.

Organizational Structure

Forward Theater Company has a unique three-branch organizational structure, created to reflect our core belief in the importance of communication and maintaining a balance between the artistic choices and financial health of our company.

The first branch is our Administrative Staff which is responsible for the daily operations of the theater.

The second branch is our Board of Directors which is responsible for financial oversight of FTC and long-term fiscal planning.

The third branch is our Advisory Company, made up of local professional theater artists, which is responsible for guiding FTC’s long-term artistic plans.

Our bylaws have mandated paths of communication between these three branches and a system of checks and balances to keep FTC strong, focused on our artistic role in the community and fiscally responsible.

Staff

Artistic Director

Jennifer Uphoff Gray most recently directed A Thousand Words, by Gwendolyn Rice, for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Love’s Labour’s Lost for Milwaukee Shakespeare (“Best of 2008”) and The Diary of Anne Frank for Madison Repertory Theatre (“Best of 2008”). She produced (and directed for) the Madison Rep’s 2007 New Play Festival. Other credits include: the National Tour of Copenhagen, Associate Director of Copenhagen, Cabaret, The Blue Room (starring Nicole Kidman) and The Life on Broadway. Off-Broadway, she directed the world premiere of the musical Suburb. Her work has also been seen at Second Stage, Musical Theater Works, Ensemble Studio Theater, HERE (all in New York City) and the Chunchon International Theater Festival in South Korea. She holds a degree in Dramatic Literature and Stage History from Harvard College. Jen was born and raised in the Madison area and is now raising her family on the near West Side.

You can email Jennifer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Manager

Sarah Marty oversees the business and outreach functions of the company. She is the 2008 recipient of the Bartell Award for Excellence in the Arts. She has a Master’s degree in Business from the Bolz Center for Arts Administration, an MS in Curriculum & Instruction, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from UW-Madison. Sarah is a Program Coordinator UW-Madison Continuing Studies (Wisconsin Wrights New Play Development Project, School of the Arts at Rhinelander, Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival, Wisconsin Theatre Auditions & Technical Interviews). In addition she works with several of arts organizations in the Madison area including Four Seasons Theatre, UW Varsity Band Spring Concert, Madison Early Music Festival, and Madison Opera.

Director of Communications

Gwendolyn Rice manages marketing, public relations, and development for the company. She holds a Master’s degree in Theater Literature, History, and Criticism from UW Madison. Gwen has worked in marketing, communications, and fundraising for a variety of non-profit arts organizations including First Stage Milwaukee, the Friends of the Coronado, and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

You can email Gwendolyn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Director of Audience Development

Julia Nicholas manages audience services, audience development activities, and the volunteer group, Friends of Forward Theater.  Julia has a Master’s degree in arts administration from the Bolz Center as well as an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  She previously led marketing and public relations efforts for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and marketing research for Lands’ End.  In addition, she’s worked in marketing and public relations for the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival at Yale’s Summer School of Music and at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.

You can email Julia at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Artistic Associate

Frank Honts spent last season as the dramaturg for Forward Theater. He worked behind the scenes doing historical research, organizing pre-show talks, and discussing issues raised in the texts for In the Next Room or the vibrator play, Going to St. Ives, and Moonlight and Magnolias (on which he was also the assistant director). Frank served as the assistant director for Madison Opera’s recent production of The Threepenny Opera. In spring 2011, Frank directed and served as a reader for the Madison Young Playwrights Festival. He also contributed his talents as dramaturg to a staged reading of October, Before I Was Born for the Wisconsin Wrights New Play Project. Frank received his Bachelor's degree in history and educational studies from Brown University, taught high school history in Massachusetts, and worked as a researcher and professional development coach for nearly a decade. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Board of Directors

Responsible for financial oversight of Forward Theater Company.

Chad Bartell is thrilled to be making his debut serving on the FTC board of directors. Chad’s past "roles" include a corporate attorney at a major Milwaukee-based law firm; an instrumentalist in various music ensembles performing around Madison; and Tiny Tim in Children’s Theater of Madison’s A Christmas Carol. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s law and business schools, Wesleyan University, and Madison's West High School. When not supporting local fine arts organizations through his attendance at performances, Chad is the Associate General Counsel of the Springs Window Fashions Company in Middleton, and the father of two rather theatrical little boys.

Donna Beestman is a seasoned career strategist and executive career coach. She is the founder of Career Success Strategies, LLC, based in Madison, and has more than 20 years of experience helping clients successfully address career issues and challenges.

Prior to founding her company, Donna worked for regional and international career management firms as a career and executive coach, general manager, business developer, and international Liaison. On the East Coast, she was a senior vice president and managing director for a consulting firm with more than 20 offices. Earlier in her career, she worked as a performance improvement business consultant, non-profit executive director, and educator.

Donna grew up in Madison and earned degrees from Macalester College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. During her many years living and working in Missouri and Delaware, she served on non-profit boards dealing with business education initiatives, public radio, church governance, and regional public policy. She was also active in Junior Achievement, the Forum of Executive Women, and the Delaware Repertory Theater.

Since returning to Madison, her community involvement has included the Wisconsin Alumni Association (board of directors); Downtown Madison Rotary (board of directors); Oakwood Foundation; and TEMPO Madison, the network of 250 women leaders (board member and president).

Jane Elder has been actively engaged in communicating about environmental issues and advocating for protection of the natural world and human well-being over the last 30 years. She was the founding director of Biodiversity Project – a non-profit communications organization dedicated to raising public awareness about the diversity of life on earth, and the urgent need to take action to protect it. In 2002 she received a Bay Foundation Biodiversity Leadership Award given to “individuals with proven capacity to help stem the loss of biological diversity.” Previously, Jane worked for the Sierra Club, heading up its Midwest office for many years, where she founded the Sierra Club’s Great Lakes program, and later served as the national director of Ecoregion Programs. She holds degrees from Michigan State University (BA, communications) and the University of Wisconsin, (MS, land resources). Her background includes extensive experience in non-profit management, program development, and social change strategies. She currently consults on strategic communications for social change, with an emphasis on complex environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss, global warming, ecosystem restoration, and the role of participatory democracy in achieving effective solutions.

The arts have always been an important part of Jane’s life. She was an active member of the Friends of APT and the theater’s advisory group for many years. Jane is also involved with modern dance, enjoys music and the visual arts, and dabbles in watercolor painting and quilting. She enjoys writing, from song lyrics to policy analysis, and recently completed a manuscript for a book about the challenge of protecting the Great Lakes ecosystems.

Ellen Foley has combined work as a journalist and college administrator with community service for more than two decades. She worked in Philadelphia, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula before joining the Wisconsin State Journal as editor-in-chief in 2004.

Ellen is an active member of Tempo Madison, holds a seat on the board of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, and works as a volunteer with the University of Wisconsin, Madison’s Center for Journalism Ethics at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Ellen is also committed to raising awareness and funds for cancer efforts, including plans for Hope Lodge, a short-term residential facility for patients undergoing chemotherapy in Madison, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She continues her journalism efforts with a column, “Foley at Large,” published on Channel3000.com, and also consults with small companies and non-profits on communication strategy.

Ellen and her husband have two grown daughters: Kait, who does collage art in her free time, and Maura, who performs improvisational comedy in Chicago as a hobby. They are teaching Ellen that it’s as much fun to be in the audience as it is to be on stage.

Charles N. Ford is currently UW Emeritus Professor of Surgery in the Division of Otolaryngology, where he served as chair of the department from 1995-2007. His interest in theater dates back to his teenage and early college years, and his academic career has been influenced by a longstanding fascination with the human voice. At the University of Wisconsin he has assembled a world-class team of voice clinicians and scientists. His clinical practice encompasses medical and surgical care of actors, singers, and other voice professionals. Chuck’s research focus is laryngology and voice disorders. Currently he is collaborating with researchers in the application of surgical intervention and tissue engineering approaches to restoring damaged vocal folds. His curriculum vita reflects numerous awards, eponymous lectures, leadership positions in national medical associations, and membership on five leading editorial boards. Dedicated to supporting the arts locally, he recently served on the Madison Symphony board and currently he is an active member of the Madison Opera board of directors.

Marta Gialamas has lived in the greater Madison area her entire life. She has always had a passion for the arts and is delighted at the opportunity to work with Forward Theater Company. Marta graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a degree in political science and has since worked at Gingras, Cates and Luebke, S.C. as the office manager. Currently she lives in Middleton with her husband Aris, and two children, George (age 3) and Candy (age 1). Her husband is the vice president of The Gialamas Company, a family owned commercial real estate development company. Marta is also working with the American Cancer Society to bring a Hope Lodge to Madison.

Gail Kohl joined the board of Forward Theater Company with great joy. She has worked in fundraising for more than 30 years with both local and state-wide organizations, such as American Players Theatre; the Taliesin Preservation Commission; Frank Lloyd Wright Heritage Tourism Program; United Cerebral Palsy; The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters; the Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy; Big Top Chautauqua; and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. She has been responsible for major gifts, project and operations funding, membership development and enhancement, strategic partnerships and alliances, event planning and coordination, special projects, and proposal and grant writing.  

Erika Monroe-Kane helps non-profit organizations be stronger and more relevant to their community. Using her expertise in branding, communications, public relations, development and community engagement, Erika enjoys working with non-profits to improve life for local residents.

Prior to establishing Firecracker Consulting, LLC, Erika worked for United Way of Dane County, the National Center for Media Engagement, and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Erika is a city girl who moved to Madison ten years ago from Chicago, and proudly reps her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. As lovers of the arts, Erika and her family enjoy the richness of Madison’s arts community.

Kathie Nichols has been the business manager for First United Methodist Church since 1990. She holds a BA in history, with a minor in literature from Binghamton University, and an MBA in economics and public policy from The George Washington University. She has been an active supporter of civic and cultural organizations in Madison. In addition to her work with Forward, she serves on the board of directors for the Madison Foundation for Public Schools and is a trustee for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Kathie moved to Madison in 1982 with her husband, Bill White. Their two sons, Nick and Andy White, were born and raised here. Her son, Andy, is a musical theater actor, currently living in New York City.

Joe Shumow is an attorney with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. He sifted and winnowed his way to a BBA in real estate and urban land economics from the great University of Wisconsin, Madison. He then received his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Joe serves a number of other non-profits in Madison, including The Rodney Scheel House Foundation (as past president), Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Council (as parks chair), and the Jewish Federation of Madison. When he's not seeing Forward Theater shows, you might find Joe cheering on his beloved Brewers or Badgers.

Brent Wagner is a certified public accountant with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, where he works with various retail companies. He is a member of the AICPA and WICPA. Brent graduated from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, with a degree in accountancy. He has lived in southern Wisconsin his entire life, and currently resides in Pardeeville with his wife Sara and their three children. Brent and Sara have a great appreciation of music, art, and theater.

Advisory Company

Responsible for artistic oversight of Forward Theater Company.

Ann M. Archbold has designed lighting for more than 500 events for theatre, industrials, opera, dance, live concerts and television throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. After coming to Madison in 2005, she designed lights for Madison Rep’s productions of The Nerd, Death of A Salesman, Home, Talley’s Folly, The Price, Anna Christie and I Am My Own Wife. Most recently she designed the lighting for Forward Theater’s productions of Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them, and Moonlight and Magnolias.

Other design work includes productions for The Old Globe Theatre, San Francisco Opera Center, Cadillac, Audi, and Elk Mountain Resort. Ann is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 and Chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama, as well as, Head of the Lighting Design Program at the University of Wisconsin –Madison.

Originally from Ohio, she holds a B.G.S. from the University of Michigan and her M.F.A. in Design and Technical Production from San Diego State University.

Jim Buske has acted in or directed more than 110 plays in Off-Broadway, regional, summer stock, dinner and community theatre. He was an original member of the Madison Repertory Theatre’s Acting Company and appeared in eleven productions there. Jim’s most recent role with The Rep was as Marshall in the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s What Corbin Knew. Favorite roles include Ken Talley in The 5^th of July, Joseph Surface in School for Scandal, Elwood in Harvey, George in Moon Over Buffalo, Rev. David Lee in The Foreigner and Sergius in Arms and the Man. He also directed Beyond Therapy for The Rep. Jim works at the University of Wisconsin in the financial aid office as the Scholarship Administrator. In his spare time he serves on the Board of Directors of Rock For Reading, a Chicago-based non-profit that fights illiteracy. Rock For Reading, which was founded by singer/songwriter Alice Peacock, has distributed more than $2 million in books and monetary grants in the last five years.

Sarah Day is a Madison native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She began her professional acting career at Wilson Street East Dinner Playhouse while a student at the UW thirty years ago. She performed with both Madison Civic Repertory and Madison Repertory Theatre. Other Wisconsin theatre credits include: The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre and First Stage Children's Theater. She has been a guest artist at the UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee and taught at UW-Richland. She has been a member of the acting company at American Players Theatre in Spring Green since 1986 and is a member of Actors' Equity Association.

Richard Ganoung has appeared regionally with the Folger Shakespeare Theater in Washington D.C., Madison Repertory Theater, First Stage Children's Theater in Milwaukee and Milwaukee Shakespeare Theater. Film Credits include starring roles in the independent films Parting Glances and Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss. He is also the voice of Astro Boy's father in the popular Japanese cartoon series. Richard holds an undergraduate acting degree from UW-Madison and attended New York's Circle in the Square Professional Training Program. He is a proud member of both the Screen Actors Guild Of America & Actors' Equity, the union of professional stage actors and stage managers.  Richard makes his home in Madison.

Michael Herold came to Madison in 1986 and was cast in The Foreigner, the first of more than sixteen plays with the Madison Rep, including The Norman Conquests, Consumer Affairs, The Immigrant and Love is the Weirdest of All. He has performed in over twelve productions at the Milwaukee Rep, as well as acting with Milwaukee Chamber Theater, Next Act and Milwaukee Shakespeare. He appeared in Laughter on the 23rd Floor at the Briar Street Theater in Chicago, and has been featured in productions for New American Theater and Artists’ Ensemble in Rockford, and New Court Theater in Beloit. Michael has toured nationally and regionally, and has performed at the Music Box Theater in Minneapolis and the Horton Grand Theatre in San Diego, as well as several Shakespeare festivals around the country. He has appeared in several regional and national television commercials, and in the recent film Baraboo. Originally from Ohio, he holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Akron. Michael lives in Sun Prairie with his wife Tracy and their children, Olivia and Gabriel. Michael is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association.

Celia A. Klehr started her professional life as a non-Equity actor in 1976. Because of her belief that theater is most relevant when it is for, by, and of a community, Celia has made Madison her home both professionally and personally. She was a founding member of the Madison Repertory Theatre Acting Company. During her 14 years with the Rep she appeared in over 20 productions, served as company manager for 3 years and earned her Equity status. She has played leading roles in 3 feature-length films and several documentaries and has served on the Madison Arts Commission, Madison Sesquicentennial Committee and the State Street Committee. Celia is dedicated to creating work for theater professionals in Madison and strongly believes that theater is a vital part of Madison’s culture.

Casey Martin has had a diverse 20-year career in professional technical theater, working as a rigger, lighting designer, technical director, consultant, and most recently as the production manager for Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Casey joined the University of Wisconsin, Madison’s Department of Theatre and Drama as the lighting and sound supervisor in 2004. In addition to supervising the electric crews for university productions, he also teaches classes in sound design, automated lighting, and stage lighting technology. Since arriving in Wisconsin, Casey has worked with Children’s Theater of Madison, Madison Repertory Theatre, Four Season’s Theatre, and Wisconsin Story Project. In his free time, he enjoys riding the bike trails of Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Karen Moeller has worked at the Bartell with Strollers Theatre and Mercury Players Theatre, at Broom Street Theater, Madison Rep, and of course, Forward Theater. In other media, she has performed in internet series, and television and radio commercials, both locally and regionally. Karen studied theater at the University of Iowa and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She then moved to New York City, where she worked on stage and in television and film. A native of Door County, she is proud to call Wisconsin (and especially Madison!) her home. Karen is constantly amazed at how rich our community is with actors, designers, writers, and directors, all of whom possess such a deep commitment to the art and craft of theater.

Frank Schneeberger is currently a Theatre Technician for the Overture Center for the Performing Arts. From 1978-2002, he was the Resident Designer/Technical Director for Madison Repertory Theatre, helping it to grow from a small community theater to a nationally-recognized, professional regional company. During this time, Frank designed and built over 140 sets. Between 1974-1978, he was the Resident Designer/Technical Director for CTM Madison Family Theatre Company, and has continued his association with CTM as a guest designer. In addition, Frank’s designs have been seen at American Players Theatre, Cider Mill Playhouse (Binghamton, NY), Theatre X (Milwaukee), Racine Theatre, Rockford Theatre, University of Wisconsin Opera-Madison, Strollers Theatre, Mercury Players Theatre, Madison Theatre Guild, Madison Savoyards, Edgewood College and Wisconsin Youth Theatre.

Sam White has worked in professional, academic and community theater for more than 35 years. He studied theater at Edgewood College and cut his stage chops at the old Wisconsin Shakespeare Festival. His professional Madison credits include working with the Madison Rep (he was the first addition to the Rep’s “Original Acting Company” in 1983), TAPIT/new works and the UW’s University Summer Theatre. His professional Milwaukee credits include work with In Tandem Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, and the former Theatre Tesseract. Sam has worked with almost every theater group in Madison as an actor, director and playwright. He is a former artistic director of Madison Theatre Guild. He was also a founding member and former president of Madison’s Playwright’s Ink. In addition to more than 150 theater productions, he has worked as professional on-camera talent in more than 120 commercials and industrial training films. He is a true homegrown product of the local theater scene. “Madison is an amazing theater town! More than capable of developing and supporting a community of professional theater artists who will have incredible impact in the cultural and economic life of our great city.”

Jack Forbes Wilson received a Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied piano with Howard Karp. He has worked as a classical musician and theater artist in Wisconsin for thirty years. As an actor, he has performed at Milwaukee Rep, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, New Court Theatre in Beloit, Next Act Theatre and Skylight Opera Theatre. Jack had a twenty-year relationship with Madison Repertory Theatre, as both a performer and Musical Director. In addition to writing three shows for the Rep with Colleen Burns, the two have also written, produced, and performed in three successful and money-making productions in Madison. Jack has composed incidental music and done sound design for a number of regional theaters. He is the Musical Director for Marquette University’s theater department, and is on the faculty of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where he has taught a variety of Musical Theatre classes. Jack has been named as one of the “Top Madisonians” by Madison Magazine.

Kimberly Megna Yarnall most recently worked as dramaturg with the Madison Repertory Theatre on the 2007 New Play Festival’s The Journey to Sakhalin, and The Diary of Anne Frank. Kimberly was the literary assistant for the Blue Heron Theatre in New York City (2001-2004) where she worked with many playwrights including New York Times Notable Author, John Dufresne on his first play, Trailerville. She curated the Juggernaut Theatre's First 100 Years reading series. Kimberly was also an assistant writer on Broadway’s Tony nominated A Class Act. A published and produced playwright, Kimberly holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Theater from the University of Notre Dame and was a member of the Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice company.