"The Nerd" first came to life at Milwaukee Repertory Theater through a staged reading in the 1979/80 Season, back at the old Court Street Theater. It was such a success that it received its World Premiere the next season on the theater’s Main Stage (at the PAC’s Todd Wehr Theater) in April 1981. Author Larry Shue played the role of Willum Cubbert. It went on to be remounted in the 1995/96 (Quadracci Powerhouse Theater) and 2006/07 Seasons (Stiemke Studio). The Nerd had its fourth full production by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in the 2019/20 Season.