We bring together stars from all corners of our galaxy to create new theatre. Let them shine!
What I Learned at Bernie’s Industry Concert
MilkyWay Theatre Co. was created to support new theater & start conversations inspiring us to be more empathetic with our fellow human beings. What I Learned at Bernie’s is a perfect example of that.
At MilkyWay Theatre Company, we have a passion for bringing new artists to the forefront and guiding collaboration to create something beautiful. Let the unseen stars in our galaxy shine bright!
This year we are focusing on new works that tell important stories that focus on different human struggles and create an open space for all of us to have conversations that may not have been happening previously. In January, we produced the First Inaugural New Works Festival, a SMASHING success! The process started with Jamiel T Burkhart, our Producing Artistic Director, reaching out to the playwrights to discuss the shows and figure out what each play needed in terms of its development. We continued by hiring orchestrators, dramaturgs, and creative teams to start creating the world these shows live in.
Providing rehearsal spaces and theaters, we got into January full steam ahead doing 2 weeks of intense exploration of what these shows look like on their feet. After doing a sitzprobe and final dress rehearsal, incorporating our bands at the end of our second week of rehearsals, we moved into the theater and did a short tech rehearsal. We performed each show to a SOLD OUT audience at three one-night-only events, providing video recordings of each show for playwrights to use to advertise their projects further!
Next up, we are producing two brand new musicals in their own off-broadway runs later this year!
Jamiel Tako L Burkhart (He/Him/His) - an alumni of LaGuardia - is the Producing Artistic Director of MilkyWay Theatre Company and founding Artistic Producer of Melting Pot Collective LLC, where he serves as one of the leading producers. Jamiel is a familiar face in the NYC theater and music scene as well as a regional favorite. On the business and technical side of theatre, he’s directed a number of projects with MilkyWay as well as serving as the executive producer. At Melting Pot, he's used his expertise to manage the planning and execution of our numerous film projects, as well as lead the fundraising team. Outside of his own companies, he enjoys stage managing and working as part of the events staff at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, learning valuable skills in live sound mixing and light operation. He is so blessed to be able to do what he loves everyday and can't wait to use his unique perspective to support the development of new projects and new voices. Site: jamieltburkhart.com IG: @jamielburkhart
