In February, Sheri Pannell (Associate Professor, Theatre; Area Head, Musical Theatre) received a Black Excellence Award in their “Women in Music” category, being recognized for her decades of contributions to the musical theater community.
Black Excellence Awards
Every year, the Black Excellence Awards honors extraordinary African Americans in Milwaukee across arts, education, business, and more.
“I was absolutely elated,” said Pannell, reflecting on receiving her award. “There are so many African American women who are doing great work in musical theater. To be selected was just so uplifting.”
The organization was founded in 1985 by Nathan Conyers, Louvenia Johnson, and Luther Golden, who were instrumental to Pannell’s love of musical theater.
Specifically, Pannell considers Golden her “stage father” as he encouraged her to perform in her first professional theater experience, a production of Showboat at Washington Park in Milwaukee.
“He saw something special in me and he encouraged me,” said Pannell. “He took my hand and we went out to perform. A spark was lit, and he was a part of that.”
These founders made a lasting impact on Pannell, making this award even more meaningful.
“Knowing now that I’m a part of their legacy through the Black Excellence Awards is something I could never have dreamt,” said Pannell. “I’m grateful that I’m able now to impact young artists as a member of the faculty at the Peck School of the Arts, as they did for me.”
Pannell’s career and education approach
Throughout her illustrious career, Pannell has made significant contributions to Milwaukee’s Black and musical theater communities. Among them was Pannell’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Skylight Theatre in 2006. This marked the first time Skylight hired a Black director, she recalls.
“I felt a pressure to make sure that whatever I did was performed with excellence,” said Pannell. “Sometimes when you’re the first, you’re opening the door and holding the door for the next person, so you want to do it well.”
Another career highlight, Pannell noted, was in 2017 when she was commissioned to write a play about Milwaukee’s African American community titled Welcome to Bronzeville.
All her experience has been brought back to PSOA, where she mentors members of her community both on and off stage, encouraging young artists to “go all out” and learn as much as possible.
“When I find students who have that passion and drive and a really fine work ethic, I will always get behind them and promote them,” said Pannell. “I love seeing them develop and grow not only while they are here at PSOA but when they graduate, being able to fulfill themselves and work full time as an artist.”
Serving as a UWM faculty member has been a perfect fit for Pannell, as she recognizes that PSOA is the place for the next generation of performers and creators to hone their craft and achieve great things.
“I believe in making yourself accessible and available to the students so that they get a chance to get to know you beyond the classroom,” said Pannell. “They have an opportunity through their training at Peck School of the Arts to really fulfill their dreams.”
Story by Jason McCullum ’25