Our Mission:

Whitefish Bay Theater transforms students through ambitious, collaborative theater-making. Through high-quality experiences in performance and technical theater, students develop confidence, creativity, responsibility, resilience and the ability to contribute to something larger than themselves. We value every student and every contribution, creating a community where young people can discover their talents, find belonging and carry what they learn far beyond the stage.

Our Program Philosophy:

Inspiring Passion: Whitefish Bay Theater

Whitefish Bay is passionately committed to the power educational theater has to change lives.  At Whitefish Bay, students have the opportunity to engage in high quality theater training in both acting and technical theater.  Moreover, their experience will also provide important skills that will help them find success in life: discipline, commitment, responsibility, passion, organization, time management, grit, etc.

In order to provide the richest training experiences possible, our program is committed to producing productions of the highest quality.  Regardless of whether a student engages in a play or a musical, as an actor or a technical artist, Whitefish Bay works to provide rich experiences that will challenge our students, inspire our students, and ignite and fuel passion within our students.

As we commit to and work towards these goals, Whitefish Bay Theater strongly supports and values each part of the production team.  As members of Whitefish Bay’s theater family, we are all dependent on each other.  The best programs are the ones where each person is valued and their contributions are celebrated.  This is key for every person involved in our theater program.  Remember, actors and stage crew members are equal partners in the production of a show and one cannot excel without the dedication and input of the other.  In our program, we value each person, each contribution, and we work to build each other up as individuals, as students, and as theatrical artists.

Theater Advisors

Amber Kind-Keppel (Theater Program Director and Producer): Ms. Kind-Keppel has been directing productions at Whitefish Bay High School for over two decades and is in her 10th year of running the high school theater program.  She has also taught at the middle school and/or the high school throughout her directing experience.  She double-majored in English and Theater and has a master’s degree in English Literature with an emphasis in Shakespearean studies (exploring Shakespeare both as an English student and as a Theater student).  Ms. Kind-Keppel is honored to run Whitefish Bay’s theater program, and she can’t wait to work with each of you!    

Kenn Miller (Scenic Design and Technical Direction):  Mr. Miller ran Nicolet High School’s theater program for over thirty years. He has directed almost 100 full-length plays and musicals and has designed over 100 sets!  At Whitefish Bay High School, he will design scenery for all productions, act as our technical director, and coordinate stage crew.  Mr. Miller maintains an “open-door” policy with students and enjoys being with them. 

Scott Longden (Sound Design, Co-Producer, Co-Technical Director): Mr. Longden has contributed to the success of this program through his work in creating a professional theater website (WFBHSTHEATER.COM), through his work in publicity and sound design, technical direction, online ticketing,  and through his willingness to help with anything he can to make each production a success.  

Hannah Tahtinen (Props Design & Fabrication): Mx. Tahtinen is the Whitefish Bay School District auditorium manager.  With their theater and arts background, they are using their extraordinary talent to run props for the 2026-2027 theater season.  

Liberty Sutter (Costume, Makeup & Hair Design): After Ms. Sutter’s wonderful additions to 42nd Street, Six, and Complete Works last season as makeup, hair, and costume designer, Liberty is going to take on these same design roles and lead our costume crew students during the 2026-2027 theater season. 

Evan Klink & Marlowe Timm (Lighting Design): Evan and Marlowe are UWM students majoring in Technical Theater.  They are the team responsible for the extraordinary lighting of Six The Musical: Teen Edition, and they will be responsible for the Lighting Design for & Juliet this season. 

Brent Johnston (Music Director): Mr. Johnston is our high school choir teacher and the music director for the musical.  As a former Whitefish Bay student and now teacher, we are thrilled to learn from his expertise!  

Tina Wozniak (Choreographer): Ms. Wozniak began her career as a full time dance teacher and choreographer.  Although she is one of the most sought after choreographers in the Milwaukee area, she has made time to choreograph Whitefish Bay’s musical over the past 10 years.  

J.T. Backes (Guest Director):  J.T. is taking on a new role this year as the head of our winter improvisation group.  As a former WFBHS graduate who went on to earn a BFA in musical theater and now is the Academy Headmaster at First Stage, J.T. has a great deal to share with our students.