Staff Bios

SUZAN FETE co-founded Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) in 1993. She is a past president of the Board and currently serves as Co-artistic Director. Suzan has over 20 years experience as an actor, director, and producer in professional theater. Past directing projects for RTW include TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, SPINNING INTO BUTTER, ELEEMOSYNARY, DAYTRIPS, A DIFFERENT MOON, FAT PIG, BLACKBIRD and REASONS TO BE PRETTY. This January, Suzan will direct RTW's production of NEAT by Charlayne Woodard.  Suzan lives in Wauwatosa with her husband Jeff and son Matthew.

MARIE KOHLER wears many hats for Renaissance Theaterworks. A Co-Founder of the company, she is also a Co-Artistic Director and its Playwright-in-Residence. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Marie holds a BA with honors from Harvard University and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Marie's lifelong passion and enthusiasm for the theater help shape the artistic vision of Renaissance Theaterworks. As playwright, she has written five well-received plays, four of which were written for and produced by Renaissance Theaterworks: COUNTING DAYS, MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS, BOSWELL'S DREAMS and most recently, THE DIG in 2009. Marie is proud to have been named "Artist of the Year" by the Milwaukee Arts' Board in 2005. To learn more about Marie and her plays, visithttp://mariekohler.com.

JENNIFER RUPP is Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Renaissance Theaterworks. As an actress, her credits include productions with Renaissance Theaterworks, Next Act Theatre, First Stage, Bialystock & Bloom, Boulevard Ensemble, Milwaukee Dance Theatre, Madison Repertory, and Children's Theater of Madison. Ms. Rupp is a co-creator of the RED PEPPER JELLY musicals, original shows written and performed by local Milwaukee artists and produced by RTW. Ms. Rupp also works with her husband as the Business Manager for ComedySportz Milwaukee.

JULIE SWENSON  Julie became Renaissance's Producing Director in 2001 having served on the Board of Directors since 1997.  She received a BA in theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL.  She became a proud member of the Actors' Equity Association in 1986 while working in New York City.  Julie has been on the board of the Village of Nashotah since 1998. She is also the Spokesperson for Water Doctors and the host of New Home Building Today.

SARAH KRIGER HWANG has been Renaissance Theaterworks' Marketing Director since 2003. Past theater marketing experience includes the role of Marketing Director for Skylight Opera Theatre and Court Theater (Chicago). She also worked for four years in consumer marketing research at C&R Research in Chicago. Sarah holds a Master's degree in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

LISA RASMUSSEN started as Renaissance Theaterworks' Development Director with excitement in the summer of 2008. Recent experience includes stage management for ComedySportz-Milwaukee and more than five years in marketing. Lisa received her BA in Theater and Psychology from Cardinal Stritch University in 2003. She loves living in Bay View with husband Jake and daughter Anna.