University Theatre 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.
- Fall 2026 Performance Workshop/TD 360 Performance in Practice/TD 619 Special Topics in Performance
- Led by Ann Shanahan, Professor of Acting and Directing, Fall 2026
- This is an upper-level acting intensive workshop exploring plays of classical realism (Ibsen, Chekov, Glaspell, Hansberry, Hellman, and others) as well as contemporary adaptations of and experimental responses to their work; culminating in staging of a full-length play. Open to graduate and undergraduate students, participants will explore special topics in performance in a rigorous, creative-research setting, with substantial performance opportunities driven by students’ interest areas. Participation in this workshop does not conflict with The Compass, Urinetown, the CTM collaboration or other UT fall projects.
- Notes on the season
- University Theatre will not be mounting a full summer production in 2026, opting instead to shift the production builds for the fall semester shows to the summer.
- Collaboration with Children’s Theatre of Madison
- CTM will have onstage and backstage opportunities for theatre students in an upcoming production to be announced soon (note: participants will not be able to work on the fall University Theatre productions). Details about positions and auditions coming soon.
- Additional faculty-led research TD 360 performance opportunities will be announced at a later date.
- * Locations subject to change depending on theatre renovations.