Youth Theater
2026-2027 Season - Upcoming Shows
Summer Production: Grades 6th-12th Musical
Set sail on a hilarious high-seas adventure with Anything Goes, the toe-tapping classic bursting with romance, mistaken identities, and dazzling show tunes. When the S.S. American heads from New York to London, stowaways, star-crossed lovers, and outrageous disguises collide in a whirlwind of madcap antics and big Broadway energy.
Featuring Cole Porter’s iconic songs like “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” and the title number “Anything Goes,” this golden-age musical is a joyful, tap-dancing celebration of love and laughter on the open sea.
Auditions information coming soon!
For more information, please visit
Meet the Directors!
Jordan Pollard |
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Managing Director, WAWM Community Youth TheaterJordan’s love of theater began in fifth grade, and his involvement with theater in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District began in seventh grade at West Milwaukee Intermediate. He continued his theater journey at Central High School, performing in Cinderella as a freshman under the direction of Scott Girmscheid. Throughout college, he returned to Central as an assistant director for several productions.
After graduating from Carroll University with a degree in elementary education, Jordan accepted a teaching position in the WA-WM School District as a fourth- and fifth-grade educator, while continuing to assist with the musicals at Central. In the 2016–2017 school year, he began directing the musicals at Central High School and West Milwaukee Intermediate, and started the WAWM RCS Department’s summer Youth Theater program. Jordan currently teaches sixth grade math at Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School and remains active in the district’s theater program. He has continued performing with various community theater organizations in the area. One of the greatest joys of his work is witnessing his current and former students discover their passion for the stage and watching them grow as both people and performers throughout their intermediate and high school years. |
Heather Gandre |
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Heather is the Director of Bands at West Allis Central High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Lawrence University, where she studied in the studio of David Bell. She has been in music theater for the past 16 years, performing in over 50 pit orchestras as a woodwind specialist. Some of her favorite performances include The Wild Party (All-In Productions) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Box Theatre). She has also performed as a clarinetist as a member of the Knightwind Ensemble and Vento Winds, and appeared as a featured vocal soloist with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Figeac, France. Ms. Gandre has served on the leadership team as a director and music director in numerous musicals in the WAWM School District. She is thrilled to share her love of theater with all her students! |
Ashley Patin |
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Ashley, a freelance choreographer, singer, and theater educator in southeastern Wisconsin - holds a B.A. in Theater Arts-Acting with a minor in Dance from the University of Northern Colorado and a M.A.T. in Secondary English Education from Western Governors University. While also teaching full-time, she is the Artistic Director |
Chris Orth |
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Chris Orth (he/him) is a local actor, director, and educator who has worked with numerous schools, theatre companies, and educational programs throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. He currently serves as the Academy Manager for First Stage. Favorite acting credits include Paul Jones in THE VULTURES, Garry Lejeune in NOISES OFF, Will Ogden in MOTHERS AND SONS, Lysander in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, and Clifford Anderson in DEATHTRAP. Favorite directorial credits include KINKY BOOTS (Waukesha Civic Theatre), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and THE MUSIC MAN (Falls Patio Players). |
Marion Frank |
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Marion is thrilled to be directing Finding Nemo Jr. with WAWM! Her previous directing credits include LOVABYE DRAGON (First Stage), THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING BEE (Kohl’s Wild Theater), FREDERICK’S FABLES (First Stage and MSO), and GOOSEBUMPS: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM (Golda Meir School). Assistant directing credits include OLD WICKED SONGS (Milwaukee Chamber Theater), THE DINOSAUR PLAY, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, and TWELFTH NIGHT (First Stage). Marion works as the Administrative and Technical Specialist for Kohl’s Wild Theater at the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Marion would like to thank Gabriela Bastardo for her incredible collaboration on this project. Enjoy the show! |
Melanie Morreau |
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Melanie’s theater experience began on WAWM’s very own stages in 2013, first serving as an actor, and since growing into the roles of Assistant to the Choreographer, Theater Manager Intern, and Director. Since her involvement, she has performed in nearly 30 WAWM Youth Theater productions. She learned the life of theater through mentors such as Jordan Pollard, Scott Girmscheid, and Peggy Link. Though her career as an actor ended after high school graduation in 2022, Melanie has returned each year to contribute to shows in any way she can, helping with choreography, costumes, hair and makeup, and event management. Additionally, in 2020, Melanie co-founded a youth theater program to bring more education and youth-led creativity to the local theater scene. There, she gained experience coordinating events, directing, and running workshops until passing the baton in 2022. Melanie is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture and Arts Management. She is thrilled to return to the Milwaukee area so she can bring her heart back home to this theater program, and give back what was so graciously given to her. |
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