From Clown Pants to Stained Glass, Milwaukee Rep’s Rummage Sale Features Fabulous Finds

INTRODUCTION:

The Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s annual Prop and Costume Sale offers a backstage look at the things that turn an empty stage into a magical scene. Terese Radke explored this year’s event.

REPORTER PACKAGE:

(chatter fades in)

(Terese Radke narration) – Tables stacked high with fake flowers, hats and the occasional children’s toy. Walls lined with couches, drapes and 3 stained glass windows. People jammed into the large paint shop. At a glance, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s prop and costume sale is full of wonderful and random items.

(Jim Guy)– We produce 13 to 15 shows a year and that’s a lot of stuff. Rather than just throw it away and be the land fill’s best friend, we opt to do this.

(Radke narration) – Jim Guy is the properties director at the Milwaukee Rep. It’s his 21^stseason. While the Rep sells items they no longer need or have space for, Jim sees the potential for even the oddest things to go. 

(Jim Guy) – We tell people you may be the answer to the age-old question “who would buy that?”

(Maya Norman) – I got this awesome hat which is ridiculous looking and then I got this hood which is mysterious looking. (laughter)

(D Kirschling) – I came here to find a cute sundress for the summer but I found a really cool pair of blue, lavender, turquoise and dark purple clown pants.

(Susan Zuern) – I kind of have my eye on that palette of foam because you can never have too much foam.

(Radke narration) – That foam-seeker is Susan Zuern, a local Milwaukee prop master. She’s searching for gloves fit for King Arthur’s knights, but is overwhelmed by all the stuff packed into the back room. 

(Susan Zuern)- The neatest stuff here is just the stuff that is too big to carry!

(hangers on a rack)

(Radke narration) – I met Maya Norman and D Kirschling while I was rifling through a table top full of old bras and spanx. 

(D Kirschling)- We met around a campfire behind a bar last year through her husband who plays in a band… 

(Maya Norman) – And we’ve just been real good buddies ever since!

(Radke narration) – Their reasons for digging through old costumes seem common with other shoppers.

(Kirschling) – I like having the right look for whatever activities I am doing. Like I went to the Golden girls drag show so I dressed like a golden girl. I went to the mystery at the museum so I dressed up as Sherlock Holmes one time and Indiana Jones one other time.

(Norman) – I like wearing things that are kind of funky and cool and I want to show you my vintage giraffe shirt… 

(Radke narration) – Over her cartoon giraffe shirt, a vibrant, 80s-looking windbreaker completes Maya’s outfit.

(Radke) – I love this. 

(Norman) – Thanks, I bought it for a costume for a play and then I kept it. 

(Kirschling) – You are a gift to humanity. (laughter)

(Norman) – I like things like this where I can get inspired and mostly just use them in my own life.

(piano keys) 

(Radke narration) – Jim is hoping every item leaves especially two sad-looking, upright pianos. 

(Jim Guy – buy the piano)

(Jim Guy) – I don’t want to have to move this stuff.

(Radke narration) – And At the end of the day…

(Jim Guy) – You can never tell who wants what or for what reason.

(Radke narration) – I totally understood what Jim was saying. I walked out of the sale with some kitten-heeled tap shoes and a fake tattoo that said ‘Happy Birthday Eileen.’ 

(piano keys)

(Radke narration) – For Media Milwaukee, I’m Terese Radke. 

(chatter fades out “It’s a goodie” “Yeah”)