About Us
Sunstone Studios MKE is a small, independent theater space conveniently located in downtown Milwaukee, WI, bursting with personality and quirk with an art-deco vibe. We are passionate about our craft and about sharing the magical experience of live theatre in an equitable and ethical way. We boast a full season of shows, and our space is rentable – if you have your own idea for a production, open mic, or community arts event, we welcome you to our space to give you the opportunity to showcase the creativity of the city of Milwaukee on our intimate stage.
Intentional Diversity
We believe a diverse community of artists sharing resources in a physical space builds a vibrant culture focused on pushing the limits of art.
In a time when our nation, as well as individuals, are charged to confront the harm inflicted on marginalized people in various aspects, including the arts, in a city heralded as the most segregated and the most harmful place to raise Black children, Sunstone Studios commits itself to not only framing conversations and language related to honoring all people, but to actions that demonstrate a proactive approach. From the floorboards to the balcony, we commit to creating an equitable space in which partnering with the Black and Brown communities of Milwaukee, the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Milwaukee, the marginalized communities of artists who are neither Black, Brown nor White, and the communities of artists of all abilities are our priority. We stand in the gap as fellow artists and creatives to offer space rental and membership with access to shared services, value-added features, and programming with a significant focus on outreach to marginalized communities.
We will select participants using intentional racial diversity to ensure equitable access to all communities; 40% Black and Brown identified, 40% White identified, & 20% neither Black, Brown, or White identified and encompassing all intersections.
With a wealth of educational, theatrical, artistic, as well as lived experiences under our collective belt, we stand as a diverse team of Milwaukeeans who love our city so much that we will use our space, our privileges, and our creative voices to challenge it to do better, and to become better for all people. We are Sunstone Studios, a small place brave enough to make a big difference!
We invite you to explore our website and our upcoming shows and experience small theater with a big heart at Sunstone Studios.
Our Team
We believe our leadership needs to reflect our community. As we build this team, we believe it is important to have an equitable distribution of voices. If you are interested in being part of our team, please contact us.
Amber Regan, Executive Director
Artistic Director and Founder of Sunstone Studios, a small theater with a big heart located in Downtown Milwaukee's theater district, Amber Regan has successfully partnered real-life experiences with artistic expression. Classically trained at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Gately/Poole Acting Studio, The Actors Movement Studio under Loyd Williamson, and one very interesting semester at Ringling Brothers, Amber has made performance an essential piece of her life. A multi-faceted woman being, she has also written children's books, charter applications, grant applications, short stories, memoirs, and plays. Besides managing a family of fantastic humans, Amber is challenged and excited by her newest creation, Sunstone Studios, an artistic, welcoming, and nurturing homebase for all of Milwaukee.
Linetta Alexander Islam, Board Chair/Artist in Residence
Linetta Davis is a playwright, actor and educator based in Milwaukee. Her first play, A Black Woman’s Burden: Her Journey from Pain to Freedom, is a choreopoem which presents four archetypes of modern day women who struggle with their relationships and self-worth while seeking restoration and renewal from childhood sexual abuse. The Shepherd Express compared Linetta’s work to that of Ntozake Shange’s, stating, “The slam-style mid-to-late ‘90’s spoken word style of Ntozake Shange’s stage drama is mirrored in the work of Milwaukee playwright/poet Linetta Davis.” Spanning genres, Davis has also written a romantic comedy, I Used to Love Him (2012), and a tragedy, The End of Hope (2013), as well as a memoir, Honey and Vinegar (2010), chronicling her cathartic writing experience as she grieved the death of her father. Davis is also director and founder of Rebirth Ink LLC, a firm specializing in publication, consulting, and productions. Linetta has sat as a guest panelist for Truth to Reconciling: “The Hidden Impact of Segregation”. Marquette University, was a featured speaker, SWAN Day MKE: “Women & Nature”. Urban Ecology Center and Guest Panelist, 80th Anniversary of “Their Eyes Were Watching God”. She has created and implemented community events to promote family literacy, Co-founded the Milwaukee Chapter of S.I.M.S.A., a rites of passage program for African American Girls, a member of The Table: A 1st Century style community in the 21st century, and most recently, directed and produced a virtual excerpt reading of her play, “The End of Hope”, a tragedy that confronts childhood abuse, domestic violence, and the need for trauma informed care.
Adam Qutaishat, Programming Manager
Bio coming soon.
Maggie Marks, Facilities Manager
Maggie Marks is an Actor and Mom from the Milwaukee area, and has been acting, training, and working in the theater world for 20 plus years. After graduating from Skidmore College with a double major in Spanish and Theater, she traveled and trained around the world She has trained with Saratoga International Theater Institute (SITI), the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in Oxford, England, the Williamstown Theater Festival, Beverly HIlls Playhouse, and the Audition Studio (Chicago). She has lived in Spain, Peru, England, Chicago, L.A, Cleveland, and upstate New York, and traveled to several countries. While living in Cleveland, she worked with Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Fourth Wall Productions, Karamu Theater, Weathervane Playhouse, Charenton Theater Company, Theater Ninjas, Cleveland Public Theater, and toured an taught with the Illusion Factory (Children's Theater). After three years in Cleveland she returned to Milwaukee and acted for Milwaukee Shakespeare Theater Co. and Waukesha Civic Theater and a few others before starting a family and taking a 10 year theater hiatus. In that time she still did commercial work with Jennifer’s Talent and Lori Linns Agency, and acted occasionally as a Standardized patient for Froedert. During her hiatus, she also served as a Board member for the Shorewood Library, and was the head of the hiring committee for the current Library Director. In the Milwaukee area, she has worked with several theaters, such as: First Stage Children's Theater, Renaissance Theaterworks (House Manager and Actor), Mad Rogues (Actor and Board committee member) Sunset Playhouse, Milwaukee Entertainment Group, Voices Found Repertory, Schmitz and Giggles, and Sunstone Studios (Facilities Manager, Director, and Actor). She is thrilled to work further with Sunstone Studios after having worked this year to help fix up the space and create a new home for theater in Milwaukee.
Abigail Stein, Fundraising Coordinator
Bio coming soon.
