Sharon McQueen

Prior to her decision to pursue a career in library science, Sharon McQueen was a professional theatrical. She enjoyed a successful, fifteen-year career as a performer, producer, and artistic director. In Milwaukee, Sharon has performed with The Florentine Opera Company, The Skylight Opera Company, Theater Tesseract, Next Act Theatre, and The Great American Children's Theater, among others. At twenty years of age, Sharon moved from Wisconsin to New York City where she procured an agent within two weeks, was cast in her first off-Broadway show within two months, and produced her first off-Broadway show within five months. Upon returning to Milwaukee, Sharon founded her first theater company. It had previously been thought that Milwaukee was too conservative for current, contemporary works. Sharon became know as an innovative entrepreneur and has been credited by Milwaukee's major periodicals with bringing about a theatrical renaissance:

"Sharon McQueen, founder of the theater, deserves credit not only
for bringing new, off-Broadway type plays to Milwaukee, but also
for helping to revitalize an important neighborhood."
THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL (Nov 5, 1983)

In 1984 Sharon McQueen founded her second local theater company (currently operating under the name, Next Act Theatre) and was subsequently included in the groups of individuals selected for the following articles:

Milwaukee's Under-40 Vanguard - MILWAUKEE MAGAZINE (May 1986)
Hot Prospects for the 90s - MILWAUKEE MAGAZINE (Jan 1990)
Local Legends - WISCONSIN WOMAN (July 1990)

In 1984 Sharon McQueen was the first woman to receive, and remains the youngest individual to receive, the Wisconsin Young Artists Hall of Fame Grant. The grant is awarded jointly by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Marcus Center for the Arts (then The Performing Arts Center). Colleen Dewhurst presented the award.

Sharon's voice type is lyric soprano. She also plays the flute, piccolo, recorder, krumhorn, bassoon, and (when in New Orleans) the washboard.

Performance resume available upon request.

Producer/Artistic Director resume available upon request.

Theater Portfolio

Picture Gallery: Children's theater
Picture Gallery: Theater