Saint Kate, 139 E Kilbourn Ave., will open on Tuesday, June 4 and instantly become a home for dancers, comedians, singers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and other artists. Today, the hotel announced that the Arc Theatre, a 90-seat black box theater led by director John Price, will serve as the heart of the artistic action.

The theater features Milwaukee’s first resident company of performers, ARCo, or the Artist-in-Residence Company. This ensemble of professional actors, dancers, comedians, musicians, jugglers and acrobats will host a core group of locally established artists, including Gabriella Ashlin, Susie Duecker, Emily Elliott, JJ Gatesman, Seth Hale and Rachel Meldman. Dr. Nancy Kresin will serve as the ARCo director. 

The year-long residency begins in late May with the group working to create, express and evolve its creative process through dance, improv, theatrical and experiential performances.

The group will first tackle the satirical play "America Hurrah" by playwright Jean-Claude van Itallie. In the following months, the group will create a broad range of experiences from plays by transformative theater makers to interactive and experiential original works.

Tickets for all ARCo performances will be $10 per ticket. Several regular performers will include:

Danceworks at Kate – The Milwaukee-based performance and dance company, Danceworks, is bringing its skilled dancers to Saint Kate. 

Ampersand Comedy Theater – Set the stage for clever comedy, with routines that are anything but typical. This improv comedy troupe will also host an array of game shows starring you as a participant – or culprit.

New Folk Night – Singer-songwriters explore deep ranges in their own musical visions, as well as throwing back to a vast acoustic lexicon of American artists from the late 20th century.

Jazz Vintage – These performances are for those who appreciate the fabled artists of the Blue Note era that defined an entire generation of supreme musical style.

Zoom – Local filmmakers will showcase their short film achievements and open up a new avenue to experience Milwaukee when the lights go down.

Guests can experience many performances and workshops from local partners, too. In June, featured partners and performers will include Skylight Theater Company, The Milwaukee Opera Theatre and a string quartet from Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Plus, Saint Kate’s concert violinist concierge, Bernard Ruin, who offer both pop-up and scheduled performances called Ukulele Universe and Concierge Urge.

To learn more about upcoming programming and performances at Saint Kate, go here.