Directing Team Announced

Baileys Harbor, WI

Door Shakespeare is pleased to announce the directing team for the 2026 summer season: Suzanne Graff returns to direct The Importance of Being Earnest, and Eva Breneman makes her Door Shakespeare debut with Love’s Labour’s Lost.

The two directors bring complementary experience in Shakespeare, classical comedy, and text-based theater.

As the company’s former Executive Director, Suzanne performed and/or directed dozens of productions at Door Shakespeare, including The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Tartuffe, and The Tempest. She is also a longtime collaborator with Northern Sky Theater, originating roles in several productions. Her work spans stages across the Midwest and nationally, including Off-Broadway appearances in Twelfth Night and Zombies from the Beyond, and tours with the National Shakespeare Company. At home in the Twin Cities, she has directed and taught theatre arts, and performed with The Old Log and History Theatre. She recently

returned to Milwaukee’s Skylight Music Theatre for The Spitfire Grill (Hannah). Suzanne is a

graduate of Indiana University and The National Shakespeare Conservatory.

Producing Artistic Director Amy Ensign is delighted to be working with Suzanne Graff again. “I’ve worked with Suzanne on many productions over the years—as both an actor under her direction and as a scene partner—and I’m thrilled she is returning to Door Shakespeare, where we can share her work with new audiences while reconnecting with those who know her already.”

Eva Breneman brings extensive experience in Shakespeare, classical theatre, and voice and text work to Love’s Labour’s Lost. Recent directing credits include As You Like It and The Winter’s Tale (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks), Uncle Vanya (American Players Theatre/Winter Words), and Hope (Timeline Theatre).

Alongside her directing work, she has served as a vocal coach for ten seasons at American Players Theatre, and has worked extensively with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Next Act Theatre, Theatre Lila, Writers Theatre, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, and the Goodman Theatre, as well as Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. Her work as a voice and text coach and dialect specialist spans a wide range of productions and international accents, reflecting a deep engagement with spoken language on stage.

Eva is especially drawn to the outdoor setting at Door Shakespeare and the maple canopy above the stage. “I am looking forward to highlighting the tree with my storytelling.” For Eva, Love’s Labour’s Lost is “all fun and games.” She plans to celebrate summer in the production by “bringing flirting, ice cream and beach ball bingo vibes. We need carefree lightness now. This is a play about people having the best time of their lives.”

The 2026 season runs June 29 through August 22. Love’s Labour’s Lost runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. The Importance of Being Earnest runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are available here.