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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 14, 2026
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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
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*Registration deadline extended to February 6, 2026.
Scholarships available! Click here for scholarship information.
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American College Theatre Festival Recognition
Last week, several students from the Department of Theatre and Drama participated in the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) for Region 3 representing Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Western Ohio. The festival was held at Madison College and featured performances in venues around the community including the Mitchell and Hemsley Theatres in Vilas Hall at UW.
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Pictured: Alex Sheremeta, Amelie Rosenhagen, Christian Carter, Amelia Eichmeier, Rachel Reichard, Ava Childs, Jenny Duarte Castillo, and Addie Currie. Not pictured: AJ Stoffels.
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Jenny Duarte Castillo was in the first round, Ava Childs was a semi-finalist and Amelie Rosenhagen made it to the finals for the Irene Ryan Scholarship and was awarded the Selector's Comedy Award.
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Rachel Reichard was a finalist for the Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC) National Student Directing Fellowship award for a scene from Lungs by Duncan McMillan performed by Amelia Eichmeier and Christian Carter.
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Cast members from Little Women participated in "the Festival Costume Parade", recognizing the artistry and dedication of the costume department, student workers, wardrobe teams, and the acting ensemble who brought these designs to life.
Pictured: Christian Carter (L), Amelie Rosenhagen (R) and Little Women cast members Addie Currie, Jenny Duarte Castillo, AJ Stoffels, and Ava Childs.
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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 and online
Callboard.
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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.
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Still looking for a class? There are several Theatre and Drama courses with openings.
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New Course!
Playreading for Season Selection – 1 Credit
Mondays, 11–11:50 AM • Vilas 4032
THEATRE 619 LEC-001 (77426)
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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.
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THEATRE 130 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM 3 credits
Foundational elements of theatrical design and developing the skills to translate text into visual and/or aural content. Involves an introduction to script analysis; visual, aural, and dramaturgical research; problem solving skills; creative exploration and visual communication.
THEATRE 222 Lighting & Studio Practicum
Lab hours to be scheduled with instructor 1 credit
Hone skills learned in Technical Theater Fundamentals while working side-by-side with designers and technicians building University Theatre productions.
Requisite: THEATRE 160
THEATRE 262 Backstage Practicum
Tech Rehearsals and Performances of University Theatre Productions 1 credit
Participation as a backstage run crew member for one University Theatre production. Crew positions vary per production and may include wardrobe, deck, light board operator, sound board operator, backstage microphone technician, and follow spot operator. In-person attendance for all production calls is mandatory.
Contact Jahana Azodi for more information and instructor permission.
THEATRE 328 Material Culture for Theatrical Design
Tuesdays, Thursdays 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM 3 credits
Introduction to art, architecture, interior design, objects, and clothing history, including social and economic factors that influenced development. Through research and critical thinking, demonstrate knowledge of historical and contemporary art movements, architecture, and clothing for application in performance design.
Requisite: THEATRE 130, ART 100, or DS 120
THEATRE 357 Introduction to Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness
Section 1: Mondays. Wednesdays 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM 3 credits
Section 2: Mondays, Wednesdays 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM 3 credits
Analysis of sensitive subject matter in U.S. workplace and school/community settings through theatre and drama. Examines race relations, cultural diversity, gender, sexual orientation and other topics in plays, films, and current events. Develops theatrical models to encourage healthy dialogue.
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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:
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United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
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University Resident Theatre Association (URTA)
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Comparative Drama Conference (CDC)
- What is CDC? Click here to learn more.
- 2026 Conference hosted by UW-Madison July 9-11.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Explore internships, jobs, and other resources at the School of Education Career Center's Gain Experience page.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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