The Underground Collaborative

«Talking isn’t doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.»
–William Shakespeare
I feel strongly about many things; no one’s ever accused me of being too quiet, my outspoken nature is almost painfully apparent to most who meet me. Why this is relevant? One of the many things I feel strongly about is people doing things, and I mean really doing things. Be the change you wish to see in the world and all of that, you know? And well, the thing is that doing things in MKE isn’t so hard; this city is in the throes of a serious cultural upswing. People are building new «things,» (events, organizations, start-​ups, businesses etc.) all of the time and it’s so refreshing and fantastic to see, because MKE certainly has the interest and population to sustain many of these culturally sound endeavors.
Case in point: the Underground Collaborative, a collective gallery, performance, and creative space in the basement of the Grand Avenue Mall (which, while still working hard to establish a cohesive identity/​place in the Milwaukee landscape, is certainly coming along when it comes to its resident institutions. Let’s see you shine in 2014, Grand!)
From their website: «The UC was founded in 2012 by three established creative arts groups: Milwaukee Comedy, Pink Banana Theatre Co. and Studio Kristelle. It’s a gathering place
for like minded individuals and groups to create and build upon their craft. Over 8,000 sq. ft. of creative space in the Lower Level of the Plankinton Arcade Building in the Grand Ave. Mall in Downtown Milwaukee, The UC offers live shows in the Arcade Theatre, art on display in the Covart Gallery, workshop and rehearsal areas, a dance studio and administrative offices.»
So that’s the nuts and bolts, and here’s the review.
Rad space, larger than you’d expect. Private restrooms. An raw-​ish area for performances. BYOB. It’s comfortable and it’s accessible, location-​wise. There’s lots going on here… check the website. We swung by in mid-​December to check out a friend’s improv/​comedy show, and I was not only impressed with the group, but also by the space… it’s definitely worth checking out. Endeavors such as the UC are a dime a dozen in larger, «hipper,» cities… so it’s nice to see that some folks have taken the reigns to make it happen here in the Mil. It gives these folks a place to create and perform, and it connects them to the community, too. Right on.
If you’re into comedy or theatre, check them out! I can speak for Milwaukee Comedy now that I’ve seen them, and Pink Banana sounds cool based on their name alone… though I think their shows are quite interesting sounding, too. I don’t know anything about Studio Kristelle, but it makes me think of glass blowing. I don’t know. Go to the UC and check out a show, and see how folks are actually doing things right in your own backyard. … maybe you’ll be inspired and want to do something as a result!

The Underground Collaborative may be something you don’t see right away, nestled in the Lower Level of the Shops of the Grand Avenue, just downstairs from TJ Maxx. We stopped in last night for a comedy show (Retro Comedy Night) and were delighted by the stand-​ups, improv, and main show, a live reproduction of an episode of Seinfeld (the show of the night is always a surprise.) We traveled the halls of the Covart Gallery (a part of The UC) and enjoyed the eclectic displays. I like to keep my eyes open for the upcoming performances and workshops available at the UC, by checking out their website,