NEWaukeean: Emily Vitrano

What is your job and it’s responsibilities?
My name is Emily Vitrano and I am the Audience Development Manager at Skylight Music Theatre. I create events and programming to build awareness of Skylight within the community and run Skylight’s young professionals group, SkylightENSEMBLE. I am also a local actor and have appeared in productions with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre and Splinter Group. Sometimes I do the traffic on Live at Daybreak on TMJ-4.

What do you think of Milwaukee as a place to work and do business?
I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t always see Milwaukee as a viable place to create an artistic home. But Milwaukee is accessible in a way that allows you to have a big dream and actually make it happen. It is possible here.

What strikes you as the most unique thing about Milwaukee?
The people. We’re friendly, we work harder than anyone else and we’re tough.

What have you seen in other cities that you’d like to see in Milwaukee?
A robust public transit system. Improving our transit system will build a better downtown and will drive talent to our community. If it is easy to get here, it will be easy to spend money here.

What is the one thing you’d like to change about Milwaukee?
I would like to see more young people supporting the arts. Milwaukee has a rich live theatre, music and dance community. Some of it is old hat, but a lot of it is daring and exciting and all of it is affordable. Remember that Andrew Jackson you spent at the bar on Friday? That’s a ticket to a show. I’m not saying go every week. I’m saying give it a shot. Put it in your rotation. You won’t be disappointed.

Favorite place to grab coffee?
Sven’s in Bay View. Your first refill is free and their brie, tomato, and basil sandwich on a croissant will change your life.

What is your favorite Milwaukee beer?
Wisconsinite by Lakefront Brewery.