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!
As the air grows crisp and shadows lengthen, it’s time to embrace the spirit of spooky season! 🎃This month on Thursday, Oct.17, join us at Shannon Hall for a night of thrilling artistry as Manual Cinema presents its captivating adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”
The Wisconsin Union Theater’s Shannon Hall is steeped in history and mystery, with stories of ghostly encounters adding a spooky element to its legacy. One of the most well-known traditions in theater is the use of a "ghost light," a single bulb left burning on stage when a theater is unoccupied. According to lore, the light serves two purposes: practically, to make it easy for theater workers to navigate the space, but also to ward off mischievous spirits.
By Charlie Pingel
Aug. 2, 2024, would have marked legendary writer and activist James Baldwin’s 100th birthday. In celebrating his legacy, 12-time Grammy-nominee Meshell Ndegeocello has crafted a powerful tribute through her 14th studio album and latest release, “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.” On Sept. 28, she will bring this deeply personal and resonant work to life on stage at Shannon Hall.
By Erika Stevens
As we start a new school year, we are also welcoming a new group of student leaders to the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee (PAC). These are the passionate students who program the upcoming Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season, choosing a unique range of performing artists to grace our stages. For the 2024-2025 season, Nazeeha Rahman will lead the group as the WUD PAC director.
By Lenah Helmke
The Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) team has programmed more than 80 years of performances. The list of notable singers, dancers, orchestras, actors, and bands is extensive, and, each year, the list grows with new talent. This season, the Classical Series has a unique addition: Encore Concerts.
By Erika Stevens
As we start a new school year, we are also welcoming a new group of student leaders to the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee (PAC). These are the passionate students who program the upcoming Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season, choosing a unique range of performing artists to grace our stages. For the 2024-2025 season, Nazeeha Rahman will lead the group as the WUD PAC director.
With more than 35 years of experience in stage management and lighting design, George Hommowun takes the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) to the next level as our director of theater event operations. He’s honed his talents managing upwards of 400 events annually in performance venues in Virginia, Minnesota, and Michigan and has been an incredible addition to our team since July 2023.
Recently, myself and another member of the theater team spent the afternoon diving into the history of the Wisconsin Union Theater at the Steenbock Library. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most interesting things we discovered, and learn how you too can explore the Theater’s history!
By Amanda Stezenski
My name is Amanda, and if you are familiar with the Green Room Blog, you have probably read various stories I’ve written over the past three years. I started as a marketing intern for the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) in 2021 and eventually became a full-time marketing coordinator at the Wisconsin Union. I distinctly remember an email I received as a student, searching for an intern who was passionate about a diverse array of music and the performing arts. And, well, that described me perfectly! I quickly applied and have been here ever since.
By Charlie Pingel
As we gear up for the 2024–2025 Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season, we’re looking forward to raising the curtain, greeting new and familiar faces, and experiencing fresh sounds on stage. Our three series – Jazz, Classical, and the new Black Box Sessions – are each set to showcase a diverse array of talents, providing unique and moving experiences throughout the season.
