|
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 17, 2025
|
|
|
|
Congratulations to the Theatre and Drama 2025 Winter Graduates!
Theatre and Drama Major
Nicky Chier
Certificate Students:
John Douglas
Miah Farmer
Serenity Givens-Sheets
Ian Shanks
Matthew Thompson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcing the University Theatre 2026-2027 Season!
The Compass by Michael Rohd
- Director: Micha Espinosa, Professor UW-Madison Department of Theatre and Drama
- October 15-25, 2026, Venue TBA
- The Compass is a groundbreaking, live interactive performance that explores the intersection of technology and decision-making. At the center of The Compass
is a trial, determining the fate of a young person who used the app to make a life-altering decision. In this play, every show will end differently, depending on what you, the audience, decide. Join us as we navigate the question: When someone else, or something else, tells you what to do, what exactly are you responsible for?
- Auditions for The Compass will be in spring 2026.
Urinetown Music and Lyrics by Mark Holman, Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
- Director: Audrey Lauren Standish, Teaching Faculty UW-Madison Department of Theatre and Drama
- November 19-22, December 3-6, 2026, Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre
- Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, environmental collapse, privatization of natural resources, bureaucracy, municipal politics, and musical theatre itself. Ina big city, a terrible water shortage leads to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
- Auditions for Urinetown will be in early fall 2026.
She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen
- Director: Erica Berman, Guest Artist
- March 4-14, 2027, Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre*
- She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
- Auditions for She Kills Monsters will be in late September/early October 2026.
Ushuaia Blue by Caridad Svich
- Director: David Furumoto, Emeritus Professor UW-Madison Department of Theatre and Drama
- April 15-25, 2027, Gilbert V. Hemsley Theatre*
- In a world where science, art, and love intersect, a scientist and a filmmaker pursuing their dream research in Antarctica's fragile environment suddenly find their lives disrupted. A tragedy forces the couple to examine the lives they've built for themselves, while healing the deep wounds that climate change has inflicted on them and the people around them. Inspired by conversations with marine biologist James McClintock, and set in Ushuaia, Argentina, Palmer Station in Antarctica and the American South, this gripping new play by Caridad Svich will leave you breathless and inspired.
- Auditions for Ushuaia Blue will be in late October/early November 2026.
For information on additional projects and more details visit the Theatre and Drama website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Applications for Summer Internships Are Now Open!
Are you interested in gaining valuable hands-on experience at festivals and theatres in Wisconsin and beyond this summer? Well now is the time to apply for those opportunities before the deadlines close. Consider taking some time during the winter break to get that resume and cover letter ready and apply! Here are opportunities to be aware of:
Production:
*Note: If a stage management or technical theatre internship is of interests, but finances are getting in the way of applying, you should know about the The Kit Award for Stage Managers Fund.
This fund supports an undergraduate student in the School of Education who is majoring in Theatre and Drama and has secured an unpaid or low-paid internship in stage management or technical theatre. Funds can be used to cover hourly wages or to pay for internship-related expenses such as transportation, relocation, or housing.
Acting:
Arts Administration:
More opportunities can be found on the Career Center website under "Gain Experience" or you can always make an appointment with a
Career Advisor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theatre and Drama Career Interest Survey
As you consider your future career interests, the Career Center and the Theatre & Drama Department would love to hear from you about what those areas are. This will help us better understand what types of experiences we can help curate to support your career preparation.
Even if you're unsure and still exploring, we want to hear from you too!
Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey to let us know how we can best support you.
|
|
|
|
New Course!
Playreading for Season Selection – 1 Credit
Mondays, 11–11:50 AM • Vilas 4032
THEATRE 619 LEC-001 (77426)
|
|
|
|
Love theatre? Want a say in what shows University Theatre (UT) produces?
Join this one-credit playreading course where you’ll read, discuss, and debate plays that could shape the future seasons of UT. Hear pitches from faculty, explore new and exciting scripts, and even pitch your own favorites for consideration.
A fun, fast, and collaborative class—perfect for anyone interested in directing, design, acting, dramaturgy, or just discovering great plays. Come help us plan what’s next! Click here to go to Course Search and Enroll.
|
|
|
|
Student Support Funding Opportunities
The Department is thrilled to be able to offer the students of Theatre and Drama at UW-Madison some additional funding to support continued Professional Development outside of the classroom!
Deadlines are approaching soon! Apply today!
We have created this Google Form to
lay out all the information around this opportunity. By completing this form, you will also have provided all the information we will need from you to get this process started.
Here is a summary of the information laid out in the above linked Google Form - please utilize the form to access all the information!
Do you want up to $150 to use towards one of the below opportunities?
Submit your form responses as soon as possible! This year, this funding will be given out to students that meet the requirements listed in the Google Form, on a first come basis. This form will be live as long as we have funding to provide.
Opportunities we are supporting for the 2025-2026 Academic year:
|
|
|
|
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)
|
|
|
|
United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
|
|
|
|
University Resident Theatre Association (URTA)
|
|
|
|
What is the process from here?
- Submitting this Google Form is the first step in requesting this Student Support Funding.
- These forms will go to Beth Quarles, Department Administrator.
- Your answers on this form will be assessed and then you will get an email response letting you know what next steps will be from Sydney Prather, Department Program Specialist.
- If you have any questions during this process, please reach out to Beth Quarles at beth.quarles@wisc.edu.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Student Workers Needed for KCACTF January 6-10
2026 KCACTF Region 3 Festival 58
Hosted by Madison College
January 6-10, 2026
Events will occur both on the Madison College campus and here in Vilas Hall.
|
|
|
|
Undergraduate Fellowships for Research & Community Engaged Projects
Undergraduate research and community engagement projects continue to be some of the most compelling examples of the Wisconsin Experience and often defining experiences for our students. Our success in involving and supporting undergraduates in collaborative research and community engaged learning projects helps foster dynamic and meaningful intellectual, personal and professional growth. The following scholarships and fellowships continue to be available to encourage and support this work.
Applications are available via the respective links provided below. Note that in some cases the faculty/staff mentor may also receive funds to support the collaborative research or community engaged efforts. Questions may be directed to Julie Stubbs, director of the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office (awards@provost.wisc.edu
, 265-2428).
Click on each fellowship or here for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
UW Theatre in London Study Abroad Summer 2026
4 Week Course 3 credits
Online: 2 weeks May 11-22
In London: 2 weeks May 27-June 11
- See shows
- Tour famous theatres
- Tour Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Visit world famous museums
- Experience the rich and diverse London Culture
|
|
|
|
Registration deadline is January 2, 2026.
Scholarships available! Click here for scholarship information.
|
|
|
|
Four Seasons Theater is proud to present The Hello Girls: A New American Musical running December 11-21 at the Overture Center Playhouse. Featuring lighting design by UW Theatre and Drama student Jove Stueber, viewers can expect an uplifting new musical inspired by history, The Hello Girls
chronicles the story of America’s first women soldiers. These intrepid heroines served as bilingual telephone operators on the front lines, helping turn the tide of World War I and paving the way for future generations of women in the armed forces.
Tickets ($25-$44) available through the Overture Center Box Office in person, by phone at (608) 258-4141, and at overture.org. Student tickets ($25) available in person, limit 2 per Student ID.
Use code TELEPHONE for 20% off tickets to opening weekend!
|
|
|
|
Explore internships, jobs, and other resources at the School of Education Career Center's Gain Experience page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparative Drama Conference Call for Papers
|
|
|
|
Papers reporting on original investigations and critical analysis of research and developments in the field of drama and theatre are invited for the 48th Comparative Drama Conference, hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to be held July 9-11, 2026.
Papers may be comparative across nationalities, periods and disciplines; and may deal with any issue in dramatic literature, criticism, theory, and performance, or any method of historiography, translation, or production. Papers should be 15 minutes in length, written for oral presentation, and accessible to a multi-disciplinary audience. Scholars and artists in all languages and literatures are invited to email a 250-word abstract in English to Ann M. Shanahan and Baron Kelly
at cdc2026@theatre.wisc.edu by December 22, 2025.
For full details, see the CFP linked here.
|
|
|
Food Access During FoodShare Suspension
FoodShare delays due to the federal shutdown may affect students who rely on these benefits. UW–Madison and local organizations provide free and low-cost food, including frozen meals, fresh produce, hot dinners, and pantry staples.
Please click the link here to access resources on campus and throughout the Madison community
|
|
|
Thinking of declaring for a Major or Certificate in Theatre and Drama?
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Resource for Students
UW-Madison has launched a new resource for students that gathers together information and resources for everything from food and health issues to housing and IT help. Visit https://basicneeds.students.wisc.edu to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
More Student Opportunities
Check the Student Opportunities page on the department website for more audition announcements (including student film casting calls), jobs (on campus and off), performances, and more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theater and Drama is excited to be one of the pick up zones for the School of Education's Food Drive.
The School of Education is collecting nonperishable food and hygiene items to support The Open Seat and
The River Food Pantry. Your generosity is especially meaningful during this time of increased need.
Vilas Communication Hall: Room 6173 (Admin Office for Theatre & Drama)
Accepted Donations:
- Shelf-stable, prepackaged items from licensed/commercial facilities (no refrigerated/frozen foods, greens, fruits, or homemade goods)
- Unopened hygiene products
- Paper or plastic bags
|
|
|
|
Pick ups will occur on Fridays each week (other than the 28th when the admin office will be closed. Pick up will occur on Tuesday the 25th that week) Members of the Dean's Office will be responsible for pick up, but you can help by signing up to volunteer for a drop off shift here
.
|
|
|
The Theatre and Drama newsletter will be taking a break until January. Have a warm, safe, and enjoyable holiday season!
|
|
|
Have an announcement to share? Send to publicity@theatre.wisc.edu. Submissions received by Friday will be considered for inclusion in the following week's newsletter.
|
|
|
|
|
