Wisconsin Premiere!

IS THIS A ROOM

Originally Conceived and Directed by Tina Satter

2020 Obie and Drama Desk Awards

March 20-April 5, 2026

Broadway Theatre Center | Studio Theatre

Directed by Executive Artistic Director Brent Hazelton**

Featuring Mark Corkins*, Rasell Holt*, Isabelle Muthiah, and Jonathan Wainwright*

Designed and Created by Stephanie K Brownell, Eli Davis, KaiLee Evans, Jason Fassl***, Adam Hastings, Bri Humke, Amaya Rockett, Josh Schmidt***, and Emily Marie Wilke*

Powerlifter. Pet parent. Pashto linguist. Pikachu fan.

Reality Winner is many things, but is she a patriot—or a threat?

Drawn entirely from the real FBI transcript, IS THIS A ROOM chronicles one of the most controversial acts of whistleblowing in American history: Air Force veteran and NSA translator Reality Leigh Winner’s leak of documents detailing Russian interference in the 2016 election. This award-winning Broadway thriller stages an interrogation with every pause, cough, and contradiction intact—and leaves us to read between the lines. More than docudrama, IS THIS A ROOM is a timely, razor-sharp examination of power, the uneasy tension between truth and duty, and the responsibility of each citizen to shape the society in which they live.

Run time: approximately 75 minutes, no intermission

TICKETS

Mark Corkins*

Rasell Holt*

Isabelle Muthiah

Jonathan Wainwright*

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TICKETS

A Bold New Perspective—On Stage and In the Room

At MCT, we believe in putting fresh perspectives on stage; for IS THIS A ROOM, we’re extending that philosophy to the audience as well with a bold new seating configuration.

Instead of our usual single bank of seating, this production will be staged in an alley configuration, with audience seated on two parallel sides of the playing space.

You already know and love how intimate the Studio Theatre is. Now we’re dialing that intimacy up, bringing you so close to IS THIS A ROOM that you might forget you’re not actually in the room.

Already have tickets? You’re in good hands. We’ve carefully reorganized the seating chart to preserve your original seating preferences: aisle seats remain aisle seats and front row is still front row! We’ll be in touch soon to make sure you feel great about your seats.

Haven’t reserved your seats yet? This is your invitation to experience IS THIS A ROOM from a whole new angle. Reference the seating chart pictured here to find the your perfect seat!

Want a sneak peek?

Watch our new layout come to life in this animated model, courtesy of Scenic and Lighting Designer Jason Fassl.

Choose Your Seats!

FAQ

Wondering what to expect from this new seating chart? Check out our FAQ below. And if you have another question, don't hesitate to reach out!

Why the change to this new configuration?

IS THIS A ROOM is built entirely from the verbatim transcript of a real FBI interrogation. Every pause. Every cough. Every interruption and shift in tone. With audience on both sides of the playing space, perspective becomes part of the storytelling itself. An alley-style configuration creates greater access to all those intimate storytelling moments and heightens that tension by bringing you closer to the action and directly into the room.

And it’s fun to shake things up once in a while—we hope you love this new experience!

Still have questions?

Our team is here to help! We want you to feel comfortable, confident, and excited when you walk through our doors.

The Broadway Theatre Center Box Office is open Monday through Saturday from 12:00 – 6:00pm, as well as 2 hours prior to Broadway Theatre Center showtimes. Visit the box office at 158 N Broadway or give them a call at 414-291-7800! You can also email us at tickets@milwaukeechambertheatre.org.

So are my seats changing?

Your seat numbers and row letters remain exactly the same as when you purchased them, but you’ll find that your seat has gone on a little adventure since last you met.

But breathe easy: in reconfiguring the Studio Theatre, we’ve taken care to preserve your original seating preferences. Aisle seats are still aisle seats, accessible seating remains in Row A, and whether you selected seats in the front, middle or back of the house, that’s exactly where you’ll find yourself.

As always, ushers will be available at each performance to help you locate your seats.

What exactly is different?

While seats are not being reassigned, the orientation of the room is changing. Inside the Studio Theatre, you’ll still be greeted by nine rows of eleven seats each. But instead of one single bank of seating, the alley configuration divides the seating into two sections, with the stage in the middle. This means that each seating section will have fewer total rows, bringing every seat closer to the stage and to the actors than in the Studio’s regular proscenium orientation.

How are the rows arranged?

We’ve intentionally reorganized the layout to keep each row in the same relationship to the stage as in the proscenium orientation—except closer! Rows A, C, E, and G comprise the new seating section with A in front and G in back. Rows B, D, F, H, and I in that order comprise the section on the original risers, with Row B the new front row of its section (see Accessibility for more information). Seats purchased toward the front of the house will remain in the front, and those purchased toward the back will remain in the back.

How are the seats numbered?

Just as they have been! when facing each section, seat numbers will run in numerical order from right to left. Rows A-H have a center aisle between seats 6 and 7. In our traditional seating orientation, Row I has no aisle at the back of the house. For IS THIS A ROOM, seats I5 and I6 will still be located at the top of the center aisle; however, seats I1-I4 will be aligned with the wall, creating an aisle between seats I4 and I5.

What about accessible seating?

In short, our accessible seating remains the same. Here's how it breaks down:

The playing space will be raised, with a ramp running from the back of the house to the stage as you enter.

Row A (now located on the new seating bank) is flush with the stage floor—no steps required.

A10 and A11 remain our wheelchair accessible seats.

Row B, now the front row of its section, requires stepping onto a 4-inch platform and is seated behind a safety railing.

Both sections will sit on risers, with steps to the back rows.

Aisle seats remain the same.

In each row, Seat 1 will still be against the wall, and Seat 11, next to the railing.

If you have any mobility or accessibility concerns, feel free to contact the BTC Ticket Office at 414.291.7800. We’re happy to assist!

Is this immersive theatre? Will I be part of the show?

IS THIS A ROOM is not an audience participation production (beyond typical audience responses, of course). Actors will perform in the central playing space. They may occasionally enter or exit through the aisles, and you will see audience members seated across from you. That said, we do hope this new layout will help you feel even more immersed in the show!

KEY DATES + EVENTS

Here2Play: Wednesday, February 25, 6:00-8:00pm, Turner Hall (1034 N Vel R. Phillips Ave). RSVP Here.

Preview: Friday, March 20 at 7:30 pm

Opening: Saturday, March 21 at 8 pm

Pay What You Choose: Monday, March 23 at 7:30 pm, walk-up tickets available starting one hour before the show

Talkbacks: Thursdays, March 26 and April 2 following the 7:30 pm performances

SipStudio: Saturday, March 28, open to attendees of that day's matinee and evening performances

Understudy Performance:

New!

Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 pm

Unknown Male
Special Agent R. Wallace Taylor
Reality Leigh Winner
Special Agent Justin C. Garrick

Reality Leigh Winner Understudy
Special Agent Garrick Understudy
Special Agent Taylor Understudy
Unknown Male Understudy

Costume Designer
Studio Audio and Lighting Supervisor
Assistant Director
Scenic and Lighting Designer
Technical Director and Scenic Builder
Assistant Stage Manager
Properties Designer
Sound Designer
Stage Manager

Mark Corkins*

Rasell Holt*

Isabelle Muthiah

Jonathan Wainwright*

Caroline Hansen

Matt Specht

William Toney

Jackson Vining

Stephanie K Brownell

Eli Davis

KaiLee Evans

Jason Fassl***

Adam Hastings

Bri Humke

Amaya Rockett

Josh Schmidt***

Emily Marie Wilke*

Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

***