PESHTIGO — A theater company is planting roots in northeast Wisconsin, hoping to contribute to the region’s growing reputation as a rural arts community.
Atlas Theatre Company, a nonprofit founded in 2005, is spearheaded by Chris Mayse, its founding artistic director. It is debuting two shows this year to add to the area’s offerings.
His mantra?
“How can I use theater to tell stories?” Mayse said.
The company will show its first production, “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” on Aug. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. at Studio 170, 170 Pine St., Peshtigo, and “Nunsense!” in the fall on Nov. 15 through Nov. 17.
Mayse is reintroducing his program after a few years as the director of the theatre arts program at Studio 170 in Peshtigo. He’s directed four shows in the area in tandem with the studio, including “The Lion King JR.,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “An Evening of Young Artists — The Rainbow Fish & Improv 101” and “PLEASE STAND BY!”
“I believe working in partnership eases you into the community,” Mayse said.
He said the company is bigger than Peshtigo, though. He’s already developed partnerships with Green Bay and the Fox Valley. While he wants to keep the office in Peshtigo, he said he hopes to find spaces throughout northeast Wisconsin to stage his productions.
He’s held meetings with community members to connect new and experienced artists with Atlas and discuss the performing arts in the area.
“In order to develop a truly open and collaborative creative environment, it is vital to provide those interested a voice to share their perspectives, their challenges and what they hope to see Atlas bring to the creative world of northeast Wisconsin,” Mayse said.
Mayse is also looking for volunteers and those who would like to contribute to the community-driven initiative.
He said there is room for all sharing resources in the theater communities — it keeps operations from becoming insular.
“We can share our audiences, and that will make the audiences grow,” Mayse said.
He began his theater journey as a kid growing up in Las Vegas. Cast as Jean Valjean in his high school’s production of “Les Misérables,” Mayse read the novel in five days to immerse himself in the role. By the time he took the stage, he was blown away.
“Walking out there feeling that energy. I was like, this is something,” Mayse said.
He said he wants to bring that feeling to people in the area.
“One of Atlas’ values is to provide opportunities for those of all skill levels to explore the performing arts in a safe and supportive environment. To engage, entertain and enlighten both its patrons and artists,” Mayse said.
Mayse has worked in theater for 32 years and has a master’s in fine arts from Ohio University and a bachelor’s in theatre arts from Southern Utah University. He’s performed with the Milwaukee Rep, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Tacoma Actors Guild, Montana Rep, Nevada Repertory Theatre and Door Shakespeare.
He has directed critically acclaimed productions of “Sweeney Todd,” “Anna Karenina,” “Edmond,” “No Exit” and “Trojan Women 2.0” in Seattle and Las Vegas.
He talked about the suspended space and time that people experience when watching theater and its ability to impact society.
“It’s a living moment — we’re all sharing the same air together,” Mayse said. “That’s never ever going to happen again. Ever.”
He said that being on stage shifted his whole trajectory in life. Still, his work is fueled by that first feeling.
“I’m still that guy standing on stage saying, ‘How the hell did this happen?’”
People can contribute to the nonprofit monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or yearly by logging onto their website: https://www.atlastheatrecompany.net/donate.
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