The renovated venues of the Wisconsin Union Theater are located in the west wing of Memorial Union. There are two performance spaces in the Wisconsin Union Theater: Shannon Hall and the Play Circle.
The venue rental process starts with completing a rental request form. We’ll be in touch with you shortly to confirm availability and provide contract details.
This is our largest performance space with seating for 1165 people or 1129 without the pit. It features a proscenium stage with a full fly tower, custom orchestra shell, orchestra pit that seats up to 36 musicians, all new L'Acoustics line array, many LED lighting instruments, two follow spots, wheelchair accessibility, and front or rear projection screen. It's an excellent choice for dance, comedy, theater and opera live performances, or large lectures. Shannon Hall has six dressing rooms, with four on the lower level (one level below the stage) and two on the same floor, all accessible from backstage.
This venue offers a more intimate experience with seating for 182 when stadium seating is open and space for up to 300 when retracted for standing room only. It features all LED lighting fixtures, retractable seating, screen/cyc at full stage width, and acoustics tuned to carry human voice for lectures and drama, as well as wheelchair accessibility. The Play Circle has two dressing rooms with a removable divider between them, located on the same floor, and accessible from backstage.
This space features a sprung wood floor and mirrors and is the same approximate size and shape as the performance area of the Shannon Hall stage. It's available as support space to theater users for blocking rehearsals, master classes/workshops, pre-show performer warm-up space, and other uses. The Festival Room is available in addition to renting Shannon Hall or the Play Circle. To rent the Festival Room as a standalone space, please submit an inquiry through CESO.
