Two new theater companies are looking to fill the Playhouse at the Overture Center that was previously occupied by the now bankrupt Madison Repertory Theater.

The theater groups, a young, unnamed group and the Forward Theatre Company, are two of several theater groups vying for the position, according to Rob Chappell, spokesperson for the Overture Center.

Though he would not formally list the names or number of theatre groups the Center is considering, he did say the theatre is looking for a high quality, professional equity troop to fill the space.

Currently, the Children’s Theater of Madison is utilizing the Playhouse for the rest of the 2008-09 season, Chappell said. He added the space did not necessarily need to be filled by an equity theater company.

“We don’t have a preference … we’re seriously considering any options,” Chappell said. “The thing is, Madison has a great variety of theatre, and I feel like we fit into that landscape and produce exquisite theatre.”

The first theatre troop, nameless for the time being, is headed by George Gonzalez, former marketing director for the Repertory Theater. Gonzalez has also been an actor, writer, director and producer for various theatre outlets throughout Madison for the past seven years.

“We aren’t releasing the name of the company until the final touches to the business model are complete and our season is in place,” Gonzalez said in an e-mail The Badger Herald. “We are in the early stages of creative development and we want to present a complete package to the Madison community when the time is right.”

Gonzalez did say the company, which began in mid-March, will be “a break from the traditional nonprofit professional” theatre.

The company is not necessarily looking to fill the Playhouse exclusively, but instead is exploring several venues to perform, Gonzalez said. If the Playhouse correlates with the company’s business model, it would be “viable option.”

Gonzalez said it’s important to remember the Rep was a successful theater group for majority of its 40 years, despite its rocky demise. He also added that success shows there is still a “need and desire” for professional theatre throughout Madison.

“However, the closing of the Rep and my experience with the company has given me the tools to, not only build a great theatre, but to be hyper-aware of mistakes that can be made,” Gonzalez said.

Jennifer Uphoff Gray, artistic director for the Forward Theater Company, was not willing to disclose information about her group before their next planning meeting. However, she did say the company formed about two weeks ago, in an e-mail to The Badger Herald.

Although the company agreed to not talk about their plans, some members leaked classified information regarding plans with the Playhouse, she added.

“I just want to be sure that when we tell the community about our plans, they are plans we are ready to follow through on,” Uphoff Gray said.