Let’s start at the beginning. I mean when you enter the Herro-Franke Studio Theater (formerly the Stiemke Theater). Unlike most performances, this time the stage isn’t sacrosanct and some members of the audience were allowed to walk through it on the way to their seats. And it is quite an elaborate but simple set. Scenic designer Collette Pollard has put together the perfect set for a seance…totally referring back to those sets we remember from old movies and TV shows…a curious blend of almost stereotypical comfortable while still fresh and intimate and engaging. All very reminiscent of the early 1910s or 1920s or so. But dominated by a somewhat intimidating, larger than life, photographic portrait of Harry Houdini. Now on with the show.
And then Katie Bender walks on stage talking on her cell phone, issues a sort apology and explanation to us, and sings her son good night. Setting her things down and arranging a few things she then cues Mark Clement’s prerecorded announcement to turn off our cell phones and to laugh, cry, and exclaim (appropriately) before continuing. This casual familiarity with the audience will be a constant vibe throughout the evening. And she then goes on to place us geographically within the theater and delimiting our north, south, east, and west boundaries with local landmarks that define this Milwaukee neighborhood.
Now my conundrum. There is only one actor and one character in Instructions For A Seance. And the performer is Katie Bender and the character is unnamed. And Bender is the playwright AND the actor. Bender is speaking to us in the first person so I don’t know if the character is self-referential as Katie Bender or if Bender is just an actor pretending to be someone else here on stage. This is theater so I am going to just treat Bender as the character.
So, we are presented with some background information on our character and then an explanation on her research into Harry Houdini and his museum and a few artifacts that she was able to ‘acquire’. She reads out the instructions for a seance that she has discovered and performs an incantation to summon Houdini’s spirit to our stage. And don’t think for a moment that you are not involved. You are in fact a participant in this seance and you will notice a little pencil and slip of paper beneath your seat. At some point Bender will provide instructions on what to write on the paper and how to turn it in and later how to return your pencil. Audience members will be enlisted to help. Now don’t stress out. It is all very simple and direct, it’s not a final exam in psychology. Well, maybe it is.
And I was negligent in mentioning that some audience members are seated in some of the parlor furniture along the edges of the stage. They will be part of Bender’s activities as well. If seated in these special seats, you might want to make sure you have your reading glasses. But honestly, it is all fun!!! On to the seance.
After a brief review, Bender has herself handcuffed and locked into a trunk, stage left. The theme is after all Harry Houdini and escape. But whose escape, while discussed, will never be quite clear: Houdini’s, Bender’s, or ours? Again, pay attention, for you may be part of the discourse after all. And of course all manner of eerie events take place, dimming lights, strange noises, items that turn themselves on, and such. But nary a sign of Houdini. Of course if we were to summon him opening night, well I guess the rest of the run of the play would be redundant. But Bender is successful and a spirit holds forth and we are all amazed. And beside Bender’s ample acting chops, I have to give her props for the handful of magic tricks she pulls off during the evening, not just the trunk escape.
So again, where does playwright Katie Bender stand with this amazing tight little play, although partly scripted and certainly partly ad-libbed as well but very well conceived and written? And where does Katie Bender stand as performer? Is she acting or story telling on herself? Katie Bender is all things to all people in this version of Instructions For A Seance. But at times, it feels just a bit self-indulgent to me.
And thanks to director Lily Wolff for keeping the flow so, well, mesmerizing. And certainly pulling the eerie bits together in Bender’s story. But it also brings a new question to my mind that I need to research for another time.
Instructions For A Seance is being presented by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater from now through November 8, 2026 in the Herro-Franke Studio Theater in the Associated Bank Theater Center. Run Time: 70 minutes with no intermission. Content: Blends mystery, humor, and the supernatural. The play explores themes of motherhood and loss. It also contains discussions of ghosts, a brief description of physical violence and sexual assault, and strong language.
Additional Information! And Tickets Here!
Extra Credit Reading: The Program.
