Each year, the UW–Madison Department of Theatre and Drama produces several exciting productions in impressive spaces including the 291-seat Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre and the Gilbert V. Hemsley, Jr. Theatre, a flexible black box space.
Performances times are regularly Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM unless otherwise noted.
Department of Theatre and Drama productions are made possible through the generous support of the Anonymous Block Grant.
Please Note: As of March 12, UW-Madison no longer requires face coverings in campus buildings. UW-Madison does not have a vaccination requirement for attendance. Safety measures including face coverings, capacity limits, and seating for social distancing are subject to change as directed by UW–Madison guidelines for campus events.
Tickets for Summer performances of FIRST DATE on sale June 27, 2022.
Tickets for Fall performances on sale August 15, 2022.
Tickets for Spring performances on sale January 17, 2023.
COMING SOON!
FIRST DATE
Book by Austin Winsberg, Music and Lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner
July 28-August 7, September 15-25, 2022
Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre
Director: Ross Shenker
Music Director: Eric Sayre
When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, Casey and Aaron’s inner critics take on a life of their own as supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, materialize singing and dancing them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives?
Content Warning: This production contains adult language and content and simulated smoking.
This production is made possible through generous support from the Brittingham Trust and the Anonymous Block Grant.
CAST
Aaron Malcolm McCanles
Casey Danielle Bullock
Woman 1/Lauren/Casey’s Christian Mother/Aaron’s Mother Annika Hauser
Woman 2/Allison/Grandma Ida Alegra Waverley
Woman 3/Reggie/Aaron’s Future Son/Blaze/Therapist Bree Bylak
Man 1/Gabe/Grandpa Herschel/Stoner Guy Liam McCarthy
Man 2/Waiter/Casey’s Father/Artist Christian Brenny
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director Ross Shenker
Music Director Eric Sayre
Intimacy Director Audrey Standish
Scenic Design Juliana Gessner
Assistant Scenic Design Elise Picard
Costume Design Shannon Heibler
Lighting Design Conor Wiedenbeck
Sound Design Isabel White
Stage Manager Aleph Dankert
Assistant Stage Managers Gwen Fraser, Xinyuan Wu
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
By Rick Elice, Music by Wayne Barker, Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
November 17-20, 2022 and December 1-4, 2022
Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre
Director: Jessica Lanius
Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). A wildly theatrical work of storytelling, full of magic, invention, and hilarity. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.
Content Warning: This play contains mild rude humor.
“This production is made possible through generous support from the Anonymous Block Grant.”
THE WOLVES
By Sarah DeLappe
February 16-26, 2023
Gilbert V. Hemsley Theatre
Director: Audrey Standish
A Pulitzer Prize finalist. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, a girl’s indoor soccer team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of young warriors. A funny and moving portrait of female athletes and their victories and defeats on and off the field.
Content Warning: The play contains mature language and content.
This production is made possible through generous support from the Anonymous Block Grant
FENCES
By August Wilson
March 1-10, 2023
Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre
Director: Dr. Baron Kelly
Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues toils as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded as a black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy’s bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son and threaten to tear his family apart. August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play is a landmark work of American Theatre. This special faculty research project by Dr. Baron Kelly will feature professional actors alongside student/local actors,
Content Warning: This play contains physical violence, mature language and content.
This production is made possible by support from the Anonymous Block Grant, the Lorraine Hansberry Fund, the Nellie Y. McKay-Lorraine Hansberry Fund, and the Joyce J. and Gerald A. Bartell Award in the Arts.
MACBETH
By William Shakespeare
April 20-30, 2023
Ronald E. Mitchell Theatre
Director: C. Julian White
Shakespeare’s haunting tale of ambition and madness is brought to thrilling life in a vigorous production that lays bare the dark soul of the tragedy. Inspired by mysteriously prophetic witches, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth murderously ascend to the heights of power only for their bloody deeds to cause their fall into chaos and ruin.
Content Warning: This play contains mature content and physical violence.
This production is made possible by support from the Anonymous Block Grant, the Lorraine Hansberry Fund, and the Nellie Y. McKay-Lorraine Hansberry Fund.