John Kishline: A Life in Performance | Milwaukee News

The theater world mourns the passing of John Kishline, a visionary actor, playwright, and mentor who shaped stages across 28 states and internationally for over 30 years. A cornerstone of experimental group Theatre X, he later thrived with Next Act Theatre and Theatre Gigante, earning acclaim for his subtle, powerful performances — including in Albee’s A Delicate Balance. Beyond acting, he wrote plays, poetry, directed, starred in films, and even painted 200 houses to support himself. Known as “Kish,” he was revered for his depth, quiet intensity, and unwavering passion for Samuel Beckett — his final words echoing Beckett’s Waiting for Godot. A heartfelt memorial at Next Act Theatre featured speeches, readings, a performance of his play Faust, musical tributes, and a recording of his last poem — celebrating a life that blended art, grit, and profound humanity. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/08c2de39b18b65c8