The green room. Every venue in show business has one. It's a place for performers to relax before, during and after a show and the energy varies, depending on which artist walks through the door: Excited, nervous, calm. We welcome you to join us and take a look at what goes on behind the scenes look at the theater. Welcome to the green room!
Are you as surprised as I am that the pandemic is not the only worldwide upheaval we’ve experienced in five years? Never before 2020 had I so frequently said the words “unprecedented, unimaginable, and uncertain.” If we generated a word cloud for the first half of 2025, I am confident those exact words would be big and bold.
In the spirit of Broadway legend and University of Wisconsin–Madison alumnus André De Shields, we at the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) are empowering a new generation of artists to create transformative work that brings their stories and perspectives to life through our André De Shields Fund grants. We proudly share with you the first award recipients of the André De Shields Fund.
By Charlie Pingel
There’s nothing like summer in Madison, and there’s no better summer soundtrack than jazz on the Terrace!
An extraordinary Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season ended with fanfare as the WUT team announced the 2025–26 Jazz Series and Classical Series.
Building on WUT’s rich legacy of curating world-class performing arts experiences, these series bring together globally acclaimed artists and bold, rising stars for transformative live jazz and chamber music performances. Uniquely, the WUT season is programmed with input from both seasoned arts professionals and students, ensuring that the future of the arts as well as time-honored traditions take center stage in Madison.
After a thrilling debut that reimagined the Play Circle as a hip-hop hotspot, the excitement is far from over. We’re looking back on the three inaugural Black Box Sessions concerts from the 2024-25 season and even sharing a sneak peek at what’s coming up next season!
The Branford Marsalis Quartet, formed in 1986, has been a cornerstone of the jazz world for nearly four decades. Known for uncompromising interpretations of both original compositions and jazz classics, the quartet has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including six Grammy nominations and one Grammy win. Its dynamic performances and innovative approach have solidified its reputation as one of the premier jazz ensembles of our time.
By Charlie Pingel
In October 2024, we welcomed the classical a cappella ensemble Chanticleer to Shannon Hall. Now, we invite you to experience a distinctly different side of the genre with the Grammy-winning, “vocal experimentation” a cappella group, Roomful of Teeth on April 9.
Two music virtuosos in one family? Yes, it’s true in the Shaham family. Siblings and music virtuosos renowned around the world violinist Gil Saham and pianist Orli Shaham are coming to the Shannon Hall stage at Memorial Union on April 3 at 7:30 p.m.
On March 19, The Acting Company will perform August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” in the Wisconsin Union Theater’s (WUT’s) Shannon Hall, filling the stage with talent, history and stories. Currently on a national tour, The Acting Company will share the story of a diner owner in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the civil rights movement.
By Charlie Pingel
Taiko drumming is an ancient art form approximately 1,600 years old, and it remains one of the most prominent cultural traditions in Japan. Passed down through generations, the raw energy and power of Taiko performances have captivated audiences across the globe.
