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��Ͽ� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025

goersab — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:03:12 +0000

��Ͽ� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025goersab January 28, 2025

Community programs include exhibits, ‘Alice by Heart’ musical, concerts, film screenings; coincide with Destination Weekend, Spring Showcase

Abbey Goers

From exhibits celebrating a lifetime of photography, illustrations to “Marvel” at and historical moments, to a musical inviting the audience to step into Wonderland in “Alice by Heart, concerts that transport listeners to outer space, film screenings of “February” and “The League,” and literary and civic conversations, there are arts events for everyone at ��Ͽ� this spring.

Many events are free and open to the public, and several will be held in conjunction with ��Ͽ�’s Destination Weekend, Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13; and Spring Showcase in April and May.

Visual Arts

Furlong Gallery’s spring season will open with an anticipated exhibit – Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment in the North Gallery; and artist and illustrator Matt Talbot in the South Gallery, on view through Saturday, March 1.

A reception for the exhibit Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment will be on Feb. 20, with a plaque unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m.

For 27 years, Wikrent worked with ��Ͽ�’s Instructional Technology Services, contributing significantly to the university and surrounding area’s visual history. This exhibition includes highlights of his campus work, as well as his personal photographs, highlighting his expertise and artistic voice. Wikrent passed away in April 2023. A reception will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, with a plaque unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m., in Micheels Hall Atrium.

Talbot is an illustrator and graphic designer from the seacoast area of New Hampshire. His clients include Marvel Studios, Sony, Mondo, Entertainment Weekly, Archie Comics, Fangoria and more. The exhibit includes both personal projects and client work. A meet and greet will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Furlong, with an artist talk following at 6 p.m., in Applied Arts room 321.

Matt Talbot's illustrations and designs include both personal projects and client work

Other exhibits across campus include:

Sunday, Feb. 2, to Sunday, March 30: The Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the University Library, will host Patient No More: People with Disabilities Securing Civil Rights. This traveling exhibit tells the stories behind a moment in history when protests across the country were held to have Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 signed into law, which ultimately made it illegal for any federally funded facilities or programs to discriminate against people with disabilities. It is a collaborative project with the university’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, Disability Services and Involvement Center. A reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Monday, March 10, to Wednesday, April 19: Associate Professor Daniel Atyim will showcase his sabbatical work at Furlong.
Monday, May 5, through September: The Student Artist-in-Residence Exhibition at Furlong will feature studio art majors Lily Smith and Ellie Eklof. A reception will be held during the School of Art and Design Show from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
Rotating exhibits of student works will be in Gallery 209, the Student Gallery in the Applied Arts building on the second floor.

'Alice by Heart' will be performed at Harvey Hall Theatre April 4-12.

University Theatre

Students will perform “Alice by Heart,” led by Director Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 4, 5, 10*, 11 and 12; and 2 p.m. on April 6.

“Alice by Heart” is a musical that encourages everyone to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times, and explores the poignancy of first love, loss and finding the courage to move forward.

Set during World War II, in the rubble of the London Blitz, Alice Spencer’s teenage life is turned upside down, when she and her friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

* An accessible performance will be held on April 10, with a more informal atmosphere aimed to welcome those with sensory difficulties or autism. The performance will remain the same but with small adjustments. House lights will remain on, loud noises will be softened, and audience members are free to leave and re-enter.

Tickets will be available soon at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

'Please' by SAIR artists Ellie Eklof, and 'worth it' by SAIR artists Lily Smith

Concert Performances

Stout Choirs, under Director Jerry Hui, will present Life on the World Scale at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 E. 9th St., in Menomonie. Join in a musical journey from the microcosmos to the cosmos and back. Whether it is in the microbes, the places we live in, in nature, or the universe, we see faces looking back as we reflect our life experiences, big or small.
The Symphonic Band, under Director Erika Svanoe, will perform Around the World at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. The concert will feature music celebrating different places, cultures and composers from around the world, including Minneapolis-based composer Samantha Hogan’s new piece “A Tour of Minnesota,” which commemorates the state flag.
The Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra, under Director James Anderson, will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, Harvey Hall Theater. Blast off into infinity and beyond with selections of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” and hear classics like Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly with Me,” Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” and Dizzy Gilespie’s “Manteca!”

Tickets will be available soon at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Patient No More will be on exhibit at the Library Art Lab Feb. 2 to March 30.

Film and Literary Events

Two film screenings and Q&As with the directors will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4:

“February,” with director Nathan Deming and lead actor David Duran, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Harvey Hall Theater. “February,” filmed in Eau Claire, recently won multiple awards at the Wisconsin Film Festival. The event is hosted by the video production program and Video Production Club.
“The League,” with filmmaker Byron Motley, 7 to 9 p.m., Memorial Student Center Terrace. Directed by Sam Pollard, “The League” celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball's triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The event is hosted by ��Ͽ� Athletics and the Office of Student Opportunity & Excellence.

The Literature Committee will host a virtual talk and reading with Andrew Krivak, author of “The Bear,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

Author Peter Geye will present and read from his new novel, “A Lesser Light,” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at Harvey Hall Theater. The novel will be released on Monday, April 15.

��Ͽ� Athletics and the EDI Office will host a screening of 'The League,' directed by Sam Pollard, on Feb. 4.

Civic Events

��Ͽ�’s Center for Applied Ethics will host several national and international speakers:

Wednesday, March 26: Is Abortion Morally Permissible if the Embryo is a Person?, with Kate Greasley, associate professor and Tutorial Fellow in Law at Oxford University.
Thursday, April 3: Assisted Dying: A Slippery Slope?, with Bonnie Steinbock, professor emerita at the University at Albany/State University of New York.
Wednesday, April 30: “Valuing the Diversity of Languages in a Multicultural World,” with Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn.

The Center also hosts Philosophers’ Cafés, informal, friendly conversations on contemporary issues. Meetings are open to all and are led by ��Ͽ� and UW-Eau Claire faculty. Upcoming conversations will be held at 7 p.m., at Brewery Nonic in Menomonie:

Monday, Feb. 10: Where the Wild Things Are. Moderator: Professor Julie Beston, biology
Monday, March 24: Is Free Speech Too Free? Moderator: Professor Tim Shiell, philosophy
Monday, April 7: Free: Priceless vs. Worthless. Moderator: Professor Chris Ferguson, economics

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Community programs include exhibits, ‘Alice by Heart’ musical, concerts, film screenings; coincide with Destination Weekend, Spring Showcase Bill Wikrent, photo collage

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Furlong Gallery

Visit us to browse world-class exhibitions on display throughout the year.

Performing Arts

Take the stage at ��Ͽ� Polytechnic with our choir, band, and theatre programs.

Hero Caption: Furlong Gallery’s spring season will open with an anticipated exhibit – Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment. It is on view through Saturday, March 1.

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‘Dogfight’ spins cruel bet into love story: ��Ͽ� Theatre presents award-winning musical April 5-13

goersab — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:18:54 +0000

‘Dogfight’ spins cruel bet into love story: ��Ͽ� Theatre presents award-winning musical April 5-13goersab March 22, 2024

Tale of Vietnam veteran dives into mental health

Abbey Goers

Audiences at ��Ͽ�’s Harvey Hall Theatre will soon enter the flashback of Vietnam veteran Marine Corporal Eddie Birdlace, as he relives the eve of his deployment.

University Theatre students will perform the award-winning musical “Dogfight.” Set in San Francisco on Nov. 21, 1963, Birdlace and other young Marines plan to celebrate their last night of freedom with a bit of debauchery and play a game they call a “dogfight.”

But when Birdlace meets Rose Fenny, an awkward and idealistic waitress whom he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion.

Cast and crew of 'Dogfight' on the Harvey Hall Theatre stage / Kaden Copelan

“This performance is different. It’s a beautiful love story and musically challenging,” said Director Audric Buhr. “It’s dramatically different than what we’ve done in the past year since University Theatre reopened in spring 2023.”

“Dogfight” is also unique as its theme is somewhat true, Buhr said. Birdlace’s flashback offers audiences a glimpse into posttraumatic stress disorder and how it can affect veterans.

Tickets are free for active or retired military members, and are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at uwstout.universitytickets.com:

Evening performances: 7:30 p.m., April 5-6, and April 11-13
Matinee: 2 p.m., April 7

The performance is held in conjunction with ��Ͽ�’s Destination Weekend, Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6; and Spring Showcase, April 5 to May 11.

Invitation to innovation: Special spring events celebrate students’ creativity, scholastics

Destination Weekend, April 5-6, features Fashion Without Fabric, ‘Dogfight’ musical and more for campus and community

A tale of ambition, emotion and self-discovery

The lead role of Birdlace is played by Quincy Aaron, who plans to sacrifice his curls and shave his head for the performance of the Marine corporal. He believes that “‘Dogfight’ gives a deeper perspective on U.S. history, especially of a time period not many discuss in my generation.”

Quincy Aaron plays the lead role of Marine Corporal Eddie Birdlace. / Kaden Copelan

Aaron, a game design and development sophomore from Farmington, Minn., finds Birdlace to be a compelling character. “He has this internal struggle that is centered around the dichotomy between who he is and who he wants to be. Eddie wants to be blissfully ignorant but can’t help but feel a sense of responsibility for his behavior,” he said.

Aaron thinks it’s important to connect his personal experiences to the characters he portrays on stage and channels his own emotional moments into his performance.

“Eddie is quite the hot-headed guy, but he also experiences a level of hurt that few can relate to. The pain that he experiences, especially at the end of the production, is so nuanced,” he said.

Cast member Steven Lee was a corporal in the Marine Corps and served from April 2017 to April 2022. He plays the role of Fector, one of Birdlace’s fellow Marines involved in the bet.

“For me, Fector was a small enough role to juggle my work-life balance and still find a way to be a part of this amazing show,” said Lee, a computer science sophomore from Oceanside, Calif.

The award-winning musical will be performed at 7:30 p.m., April 5-6, and April 11-13, with a matinee at 2 p.m., April 7 / Kaden Copelan

The Marines were told the Vietnam War would be quick to prevent the spread of communism across Southeast Asia, Lee explained.

“Many were drafted and fewer returned. The beginning of the show quickly sets the tone for that,” he said. “However, during this story, you get the perspective of young Marines hoping to make a big impact in the world – with a do-or-die attitude. Their potential last night on American soil really sells the idea of enthusiastic, unapologetic men who were willing to die for their country.

“I think we often forget that the people who go into war are young and ambitious adults, many who just graduated high school. I want to bring that young, abrasive mindset of the young men who were sent off to war in Vietnam spending their last days stateside,” Lee said.

Birdlace’s potential last night on American soil is spent with Rose, played by Kat Schlauderaff, a senior in digital marketing technology from Chaska, Minn.

“Rose has dreams as big as the sky. I relate a lot to Rose,” Schlauderaff said. “We’ve both had sheltered, awkward upbringings but carry lofty ambitions. Drawing from my own life, it’s easy to slip into character, especially as Rose is on the cusp of major growth and, just like me, ready to ‘spread her wings.’”

She encourages people to see the show because it’s a “beautiful tale of self-discovery and change. On the surface, it’s a heart-warming and inelegant love story. But dive deeper, and you’ll find a truly relatable narrative. In our daily lives, many of us sense there’s something more, just out of our grasp. The musical is not just entertainment; it’s an invitation to embrace the unknown and dream big.”

'Dogfight' is ultimately a tale of the power of love and compassion. / Kaden Copelan

Lee is reminded of the saying “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

“For many still in the service, it’s a big old joke,” he said. “But post service, I find value in it. Meeting veterans, I find we all carry the same core values and share fond memories of boot camp, deployments and our times spent training. We have a shared collective experience.

“I just want to thank all of the veterans who will be attending this show for their services. They are not unheard in their struggles, and we are all brothers and sisters, even after the ranks have been taken off. I hope they look forward to seeing this show and can be reminded through ‘Dogfight’ of the young, head-first attitude when they enlisted in the service,” Lee said.

Connecting to the characters’ mental health

To help the student cast and crew connect to the experiences of veterans, including those with posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health topics, Buhr invited M.S. clinical mental health counseling professors John Klem and Julie Bates-Maves and Dunn County Veteran Services staff to rehearsal.

PTSD symptoms are an indicator that a person has encountered serious stress, Bates-Maves explained.

“When in front of the threat, the responses make sense – the body is responding in order to survive,” she said. “But when the threat is no longer present and the survival response remains active, it causes trouble. The brain continues to operate in the past, protecting itself from the threats it encountered, even though they no longer exist in the present. Responses become mismatched to the moment they’re in.

“Wonderfully, PTSD is very treatable, and there is great cause for hope. Just as the brain learns to notice and protect from threats, it can learn to better assess the difference between the past and present, real versus perceived threats. Help is available and effective,” Bates-Maves said.

Cast and crew meet to learn about posttraumatic stress disorder and how to connect to their characters. / Kaden Copelan

Lee believes the effects of the Vietnam War continued for many years after its resolution. “Many veterans who emerged from the Vietnam War were not treated well, and we need to tell that story because it's a reminder that many complicated and unexpected events took place during both the Cold War and Vietnam.

“The world these men returned to was not the same as the one they left. People often remember those with PTSD as broken, unable to reintegrate back into society. But we hope to show all sides of these Marines, from boot camp to the end of the war,” Lee said.

“Posttraumatic stress disorder is the invisible challenge many veterans deal with,” said Greg Quinn, Dunn County Veteran Service officer. “It can be difficult for family and loved ones to understand because one doesn't wear a cast or brace for the injury.

“A better understanding of how trauma affects an individual can allow a family to support them through the challenges. Many of our heroes silently deal with trauma through isolation and avoidance. Showing support and understanding can help the healing. The stronger the family support, the better outcomes when dealing with trauma,” Quinn said.

ROTC cadets to take helicopter from ��Ͽ� to Fort McCoy

As of Tuesday, April 9, the Blackhawk helicopter landing scheduled for Thursday, April 11, has been canceled. However, a landing may be scheduled in the fall. Read on to see what the future experience may bring for ��Ͽ� ROTC cadets.

The Wisconsin Army National Guard will land a Blackhawk helicopter on campus to transport a group of 20 ��Ͽ� Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets to Fort McCoy, a U.S. Army Reserve installation, for a spring field training exercise.

The public is welcome to watch the helicopter land at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, behind the ��Ͽ� softball field, 1606 S. Broadway St., Menomonie.

��Ͽ� Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets’ training exercise at Fort McCoy, between Sparta and Tomah, will involve land navigation, maneuvering soldiers to accomplish set missions and testing leadership skills under pressure. It will help prepare cadets for upcoming training at Fort Knox, Ky.

A group of 20 ��Ͽ� Reserve Officers will be flown by helicopter to Fort McCoy on Thursday, April 11. / ��Ͽ� Veteran Services

SFC Nicholas Manor, military science instructor and Wisconsin National Guard recruiter and liaison, has ridden in a Blackhawk twice in his career. “They were both awesome experiences and like nothing you have ever done before. This will be the first time cadets will be picked up from ��Ͽ� and taken anywhere, so it is an awesome event and experience for these young soldiers.

“This is just one of the amazing things people can do when they serve in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Opportunities are endless. Go Guard,” Manor said.

Helicopter flights can be canceled the day of for many reasons, he added. “So, don't get your hope too high until you hear them coming.”

The Landing Authorization Agreement, sent to the deputy chief of staff for Aviation and Safety, was released by the approving officer, Chancellor Katherine Frank.

The Wisconsin Army National Guard landed a UH-60 helicopter on campus for a static display before the Military Appreciation football game in October 2023. The crew met with students and community members.

A Military and Veterans Career Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Memorial Student Center. Hosted by ��Ͽ�’s Career Services and Veteran Services, the expo focuses on addressing employment challenges, navigating resources, and connecting veteran and military students with employers who value their experience. All student veterans are encouraged to attend this networking event.

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Tale of Vietnam veteran dives into mental health Dogfight theater cast. Photo by Kaden Copelan

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University Theatre

Be part of University Theatre's cast or crew of our stage productions presented in the beautiful Harvey Theatre.

Upcoming concert performances

The Symphonic Singers, Chamber Choir and Devil Tones Acappella will present Green Grass and Blue Water at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 E. 9th St., in Menomonie.

The Symphonic Band will present Stars and Sky at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.

The Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra will present Jazz from Harvey at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the historic Harvey Hall Theatre.

Concert tickets are available online at uwstout.universitytickets.com and the door.

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Invitation to innovation: Special spring events celebrate students’ creativity, scholastics

goersab — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:30:15 +0000

Invitation to innovation: Special spring events celebrate students’ creativity, scholasticsgoersab March 19, 2024

Destination Weekend, April 5-6, features Fashion Without Fabric, ‘Dogfight’ musical and more for campus and community

Abbey Goers

Destination Weekend invites students, families, supporters and the community to celebrate ��Ͽ�’s Polytechnic Advantage and its students on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, through creative displays, academic showcases and lab tours across an array of programs, visual arts exhibits and recreational events.

Anchoring the weekend’s events are University Theater’s production of the award-winning musical “Dogfight,” which runs April 5-13, and the annual sensation Fashion Without Fabric on April 6, which sells out each year. Tickets are required for both.

Destination Weekend is the kick-off of Stout Spring Showcase, five weeks of academic celebrations open to the public.

Unexpected couture returns to the runway

More than 250 students will present unconventional fashion designs themed around “Philias and Phobias” for the crowd-favorite runway show Fashion Without Fabric at 7 p.m. on April 6, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall.

Join us at Fashion Without Fabric, one of ��Ͽ� annual signature events / ��Ͽ�

Student teams in the 3D Design course devote several weeks to bringing their unexpected couture to life as they prepare to walk the runway, portraying a strong attraction or excessive fear to their selected word.

Tickets for a Low Stimuli Room are also available for individuals wanting to watch a live broadcast of the show in an environment with reduced lighting and lower volume, held in the Memorial Student Center Cedar/Maple rooms.

Students compete for $3,000 in scholarships and awards given to the winners of the show, thanks to donations by industry partners, alumni and community members.

Hands-on demonstrations and displays

An Academic Open House will be held in multiple buildings and labs across campus on April 5-6, as part of Destination Weekend. The community is invited to experience applied learning and research, view laboratories and equipment, and more.

Academic events on Friday, April 5:

Printmaking Demonstration, Create a Blue Devil print: 2 to 4 p.m., Micheels Hall Atrium
Metals Jewelry Sale: 2 to 4 p.m., Micheels Hall Atrium

Academic events on Saturday, April 6:

Splash Photography Demonstrations: 10 a.m. to noon, Communication Technologies Building
Fashion Design Coat Exhibition: 10 a.m. to noon, Fryklund Hall
Social Sciences Activity: 1 to 2 p.m., Harvey Hall fourth floor
Psychology in Action: 1 to 2 p.m., Harvey Hall rooms 456, 479 and 480

Additional events are being planned.

‘Dogfight’ teaches power of love and compassion

Tickets are available online at University Ticketing for “Dogfight.” Set in San Francisco on Nov. 21, 1963, Corporal Eddie Birdlace and other young Marines plan to celebrate their last night of freedom with a bit of debauchery and play a game they call a “dogfight.”

‘Dogfight’ spins cruel bet into love story: ��Ͽ� Theatre presents award-winning musical April 5-13

Tale of Vietnam veteran dives into mental health

Performances will be held in the historic Harvey Hall Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on April 5-6, 11-13, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on April 7.

Recreation Events & Campus Activities

Friday, April 5 events; no registration is required:

Library Fun Map: Noon to 9 p.m. Explore every nook and cranny of the University Library and enjoy its unique special collections, exhibits, hands-on play areas such as the Board Game Collection and the Lego Collection. Maps are available in the lobby.
Open Video Game Lab: 3 to 5 p.m., University Library room 103. Try more than 650 vintage and new video game titles on one of 17 gaming consoles.
Free Climb: 3 to 9:30 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 56
GLOW Climb: 8 to 9:30 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 56
“Wonka,” Blue Devil Productions’ movie night: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., Applied Arts Building room 210. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Pickleball/Yard Games: 7 to 9 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 41. Outdoors, weather permitting.

Check out one of University Recreation's many weekend events / ��Ͽ�

Saturday, April 6 events; no registration is required:

StoutProud Bingo: 10 a.m., MSC Terrace
Pickleball/Yard Games: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 41. Outdoors, weather permitting.
Free Climb: Noon to 4 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 56
Stout Amazing Race: 2 to 4 p.m., starting at the Memorial Student Center, Involvement Porch. Be the fastest team to race around campus, solving puzzles and completing tasks. The race will be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Visual & Literary Arts Receptions

A number of exhibitions, receptions and art sales open to the public are scheduled in Furlong Gallery and student Gallery 209, in the Applied Arts Building, as well as in Micheel’s Hall atrium, the Library Art Lab, Harvey Hall, and the historic Louis Smith Tainter House and Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.

Furlong Gallery will host an exhibition by Toronto-based cartoonist and visual artist Jessica Campbell and alum Adam Umbach, of New York. Umbach, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is a biographical painter. He earned his B.F.A. in studio art in 2009.

Graphic design students, led by Professor Nagesh Shinde, are designing large-scale posters in collaboration with The BrandLab, a nonprofit that's creating more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces in marketing. The posters will be on display in the Micheels Hall Atrium April 5-6, before beginning a traveling exhibition.

Painting by Adam Umbach

Gallery 209 will feature Metals and Fashion, an Exhibition in Motion, with an opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 5.

The Library Art Lab will showcase The Entireverse, drawings and storytelling by Honors College student Dillan Olson. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on April 5, on the first floor of the University Library.

A juried student art exhibit at the Louis Smith Tainter House, home of the Stout Foundation, will feature students’ works from Monday, April 1, to Tuesday, April 30. A reception will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on April 5, at LST House, 320 S. Broadway St., Menomonie.

A drawing exhibition, Inspired by Mabel, will feature works by Bachelor of Fine Arts first-year students, with a reception at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts from 5 to 6 p.m. on April 5, at 205 Main St. E., Menomonie. All are welcome to the exhibit and art class and to see the historic buildings.

A Made@Stout student pop-up shop will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 6, in the MSC lower level. Students from multiple programs and clubs, including Ceramics Guild, metals and contemporary jewelry, Student Interior Design Organization, Industrial Designer’s Society of America, Retail Association and the Comix Club will have designs available to purchase.

Celebrate the relaunch of ��Ͽ�'s student-published literary journal “Prometheus,” which features students’ prose, poetry and visual art. A reading of prize-winning pieces on this year's theme of Revival will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on April 6, in the Harvey Hall coffee shop, first floor.

Other student showcases coming up are Research Day on Monday, April 29, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall; Stout Game Expo on Thursday, May 2, in the Great Hall; and SOAD Senior Show on Friday, May 3, in the Applied Arts Building and Micheels Hall.

Community

All Community News

Students, staff turn community into a canvas during Murals in Menomonie

Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event

High school students complete university-level project to create spaces that inspire

Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design

Construction camp introduces young students to careers, degree paths

Tour led by Boldt Company in Chippewa Falls gives campers a behind-the-scenes look at construction site

Destination Weekend, April 5-6, features Fashion Without Fabric, ‘Dogfight’ musical and more for campus and community Printmaking in the studio

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Destination Weekend

Inviting families, supporters, alumni and others to campus April 10-12, 2026, to celebrate all things Stout!

Urec Destination Weekend Events

Fun 5K run/walk event hosted on Family Weekend

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Making connections: ��Ͽ� theater presents ‘Be More Chill,’ a sci-fi musical about ‘fitting in and being yourself’ April 13-16

goersab — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:48:28 +0000

Making connections: ��Ͽ� theater presents ‘Be More Chill,’ a sci-fi musical about ‘fitting in and being yourself’ April 13-16 goersab April 5, 2023

Cast and crew exemplify university’s interdisciplinary polytechnic strengths; bring theater back under vision of new director

Abbey Goers

Two hours before rehearsal, cast and crew members of ��Ͽ�’s performance of “Be More Chill” gathered in the historic Harvey Hall Theatre to hang out, sing, listen to music and work on the set, costumes, sound and lighting.

Among them, donning a knee-length work apron as he mopped the stage, was their Director Audric Buhr. Involved in every aspect of the production, Buhr explained, “The stage treats you how you treat it.”

Like Buhr, students are involved in every aspect and use their hands-on, polytechnic skills to bring the show to life. They represent diverse degree programs from both the College of Arts and Human Sciences; and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management, such as computer science; engineering technology; entertainment design; graphic design and interactive media; hotel, restaurant and tourism management; human development and family studies; interior design; psychology and more.

Director Audric Buhr, center, with cast and crew members of Be More Chill / ��Ͽ�

“Be More Chill,” a sci-fi musical about high school, friendships and bullies, popularity and social outcasts, “is about fitting in and being yourself,” Buhr said. “We all experience the struggle of wanting to be accepted for who we are. We want to make connections.”

The production opens Thursday, April 13, the night before ��Ͽ�’s Destination Weekend kicks off, and runs through Sunday, April 16.

Tickets are available online at University Ticketing:

Evening performances: 7:30 p.m., April 13-15
Matinees: 2 p.m., April 15-16

Invitation to innovation: Supporters, community celebrate students’ creative, scholarly and athletic activities

Destination Weekend, April 14-15, features Fashion Without Fabric, polytechnic exhibition and more

Interdisciplinary connections make theater different at Stout

Buhr joined ��Ͽ� as director of University Theatre this academic year. He has been in education for 27 years and for 17 years was the director of theater studies and vocal music at Menomonie High School.

Reece Halda, as Christine Canigula. / Dayton Feldt

“Theater has always been a part of what I did,” he said. And when he interviewed for his position, he was asked how he would reimagine theater at ��Ͽ�.

“I want to give students the opportunity to not only act and sing, but to design and construct sets, costumes and props – to make connections across areas of the university. These connections are what make theater different at Stout,” Buhr said.

Crew members, like Grace Schultz, fashion and retail, Siren; and Lilly Caines, industrial design, Hanover Park, Ill., are using the skills they’ve learned in their classes and labs to construct costumes, props and the set, following Buhr’s vision.

The cast, their characters, degrees and hometowns are:

Brayden Thomas: Jeremy Heere. Video production, Osceola
Reece Halda: Christine Canigula. Game design and development-art, Lakeville, Minn.
Quincy Aaron: Michael Mell. Game design and development-art, Farmington, Minn.
Brady Schmieg: Jake Dillinger. Video production, Waconia, Minn.
Ben Phipps: Rich Goranski. Animation and digital media, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Elle Szymborski: Chloe Valentine. Professional communication and emerging media, Eden Prairie, Minn.
Nina Kitts: Brooke Lohst. Video production, Farmington, Minn.
Elizabeth Geoffrey: Jenna Rolan. Game design and development-art, Kaukauna
Nick Michaelson: Jeremy’s dad. Computer and electrical engineering, Manitowoc
Trevor Zeyen: Mr. Reyes / the Scary Stockboy. Packaging, Hastings, Minn.
Kyran Luikens: SQUIP. Technology education, Savage, Minn.

They are joined by a large ensemble, with 40 students total to grace the stage. There were 65 students who auditioned, and who were already familiar with the music – even harmonizing during the first read-through.

“I was so surprised by this, but they really identify with the characters,” Buhr said.

It’s the students’ energy that inspires Buhr, and he tries to encourage that commitment by giving them opportunities to “try things they didn’t even know they could do. I want to give the opportunity to succeed, but also to learn from their failures."

Nick Michaelson, as Jeremy’s dad; and Brayden Thomas, as Jeremy Heere, and Trevor Zeyen, as Mr. Reyes. / Dayton Feldt

“I like to see them make bold choices – to see what works and what doesn’t,” he said. “It’s those ‘ah-ha moments’ that are so important. That’s what drives them, and their energy drives me.”

Cast and crew member Dayton Feldt, of Beloit, and Natalie Watters, of St. Paul, are co-directing a documentary about “Be More Chill.” The video production students will be submitting their film to the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival. Unspooled, hosted by ��Ͽ�, will be held Friday, May 12, to Sunday, May 14. Ticket sales are open for the festival.

‘Love for the craft’ – New Unspooled film fest hosted by ��Ͽ� will feature independent, student storytellers

Film and animation event debut invites community May 12-14; submissions close April 28

Switching the spotlight back on

The last production in Harvey Hall Theatre – “The Elephant Man” – was in November 2019. The spring 2020 production of “Godspell” was canceled and the theater went dark for three years during the pandemic.

When Director Paul Calenberg, who taught at ��Ͽ� for more than 20 years, retired in spring of 2020, and with other faculty taking positions elsewhere, theater classes were not offered between fall 2020 and spring 2022. Except for a few meetings held there, the theater was not used during the 2020-21 academic year.

Then, at the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year, Kevin Drzakowski, associate dean of the College of Arts and Human Sciences, met student and theater technician Jon Harlfinger.

Emmarie Wolfsteller, Rebecca Durst and Samantha Kruger. / Dayton Feldt

“We got to talking, and I realized that this was a young man who knew his stuff,” Drzakowski said. “I asked if he might be up for working a few hours a week in the theater, so we could get it into a state where we could again host larger events. Jon has been invaluable.”

Harlfinger, a computer networking and information technology student from Waukesha, worked with Drzakowski as a Dean’s Office student employee, setting up a series of lighting plots for general events, making improvements to the sound setup and organizing theater inventory.

“Jon has been extremely proactive. He exceeded all my expectations, and he basically took the lead in taking care of the space while we were without a director of theater,” Drzakowski said.

“Jon has been here the longest of all of us now,” Buhr added. “He worked as a technician for ‘Elephant Man’ as a first-year student. Now, as a senior, he’s working on ‘Be More Chill,’ and was the only theater staff keeping the lights on during three dark years.”

Harlfinger knew theater at ��Ͽ� would come back eventually, he said. “Theater is too important to the world. I was persistent. I needed to keep things going for the next person – to give them a kickstart when Harvey Hall Theatre reopened.”

Harlfinger will graduate in fall 2023.

Calenberg passed away in February 2022. “Paul was a constant source of joy at Stout,” Drzakowski said. “He had a biting sense of humor, he made a lifelong impact on his students, and he made art that was beautiful and at times deeply affecting. He taught so many people, students and audiences alike, to love theater and to make it an important part of their lives.”

Drzakowski has seen over the past couple of years, “a building, increasingly pent-up desire on the part of Stout students to bring theater back to campus life. Now that we have a wonderful director – Audric – who can guide that energy, we're going to see an explosion of creativity. This may well be the most excited I've ever been to see a show.”

“Theater is back with a vengeance,” Buhr added. “Our audiences can see what three years of pent-up theater-kids’ energy can do.”

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��Ͽ� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025

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‘Dogfight’ spins cruel bet into love story: ��Ͽ� Theatre presents award-winning musical April 5-13

Tale of Vietnam veteran dives into mental health

Invitation to innovation: Special spring events celebrate students’ creativity, scholastics

Destination Weekend, April 5-6, features Fashion Without Fabric, ‘Dogfight’ musical and more for campus and community

Cast and crew exemplify university’s interdisciplinary polytechnic strengths; bring theater back under vision of new director Director Audric Buhr, with cast and crew members of Be More Chill

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Audric Buhr

Audric Buhr received his Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. He received his Theatre Teaching certification from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has both a B.A. in Theatre/Dance as well as a B.A. in Vocal Music Education from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Prior to joining the University of Wisconsin-Stout Department of Art and Art History, he worked as the Director of Theatre Studies and the Director of Vocal Music at Menomonie High School in Menomonie, Wisconsin. At MHS Audric has directed and designed Little Shop of Horrors, Almost, Maine, School House Rock Live, All in the Timing, the Little Mermaid, Elephant’s Graveyard, Catch Me If You Can, The Adams Family, Tartuffe, Grease, Macbeth. He received the Outstanding Directing award for Almost, Maine and All in the Timing from the Wisconsin High School One-Act Theatre Festival. Audric serves on the Board of Directors for the Mabel Tainter Theater as well as Lighting Chair for the Menomonie Theatre Guild.

Full Name: Audric Buhr

Job Title: Theatre Director / Lecturer

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Department: School of Art & Design Visual & Performing Arts Department

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Performing Arts Minor

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‘Love for the craft’ – New Unspooled film fest hosted by ��Ͽ� will feature independent, student storytellers

goersab — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

‘Love for the craft’ – New Unspooled film fest hosted by ��Ͽ� will feature independent, student storytellersgoersab April 3, 2023

Film and animation event debut invites community May 12-14; submissions close April 28

Abbey Goers

For three days in May, professional filmmakers can rub elbows with ��Ͽ� video production and animation students, area high school students and the community in a new juried event.

The Unspooled Film and Animation Festival will run Friday, May 12, to Sunday, May 14, with films screened in the university’s historic Harvey Hall Theatre, as well as other local destinations.

Unspooled will feature films and animations, documentaries, narratives, commercial projects and experimental films from regional and international independent storytellers, as well as the talents of university students.

Ticket sales are open, with early bird special pricing ending Saturday, April 8. Audience members may purchase tickets for specific screenings or a pass for all screenings.

Shout Out to Filmmakers and Animators

Projects must be received by April 7. Late deadline is April 28.

Submit Your Project Today

Interested attendees may sign up for the email list. The list of events includes:

May 12, 4 to 9 p.m.: Student films and keynote speaker. Harvey Hall Theatre
May 13, Noon to 10 p.m.: Professional independent films and keynote speaker Andrew Hunt. Harvey Hall Theatre and Brewery Nonic
May 14, 3 to 6 p.m.: Animation films and keynote speaker. Harvey Hall Theatre
May 14, 8:30 to 10 p.m.: Films free for all ages. Wilson Park, with Harvey Hall Theatre as the rain site.

Creators are invited to submit their projects to Unspooled online via FilmFreeway. Films must be received by Friday, April 7, with a late deadline of Friday, April 28. Creators should refer to the rules and terms listed on the FilmFreeway page for additional information. Invited creators will be notified by email or phone.

Eighty-five projects have been submitted so far. The final selections are a work in progress. Awards in eight categories will be presented, selected by a panel of jurors, including faculty, students and professionals, Wheeler said.

Official Unspooled selection "No Such Thing" by Nicos Wiard and Zach Hoffmire / Dayton Feldt and Joey Lange

Hunt, of Minneapolis, plans to attend the student screenings and hang out with attendees on May 12. And on May 13, he plans to show some of his award-winning short film, “Frostbite,” before speaking about scene construction and his latest feature-length film “The Infernal Machine,” starring Guy Pearce. Over the past 25 years, he has produced, written and directed a variety of works for clients, including Dreamworks Television, T-Mobile, Ford, NBC Sports and MSNBC.

‘A love for the craft’

Festival Director Jonathan Wheeler, lecturer of video production, noted several student showcases at ��Ͽ�, including SOAD Senior Show and Best of Design Biennial Show, as well as the former 4:51 Film Festival. The Red Cedar Film Festival and the Chippewa Valley Film Festival showcase the work of professionals from around the world.

“In planning Unspooled Film and Animation Festival, we wanted to strike a balance between the two by inviting both students and professionals to submit films and animations, carving out specific days in the event for each,” Wheeler said.

Rebecca Thacker and Jonathan Wheeler, Unspooled collaborators, in Harvey Hall Theatre / ��Ͽ�

“From the student side, they can benefit from the authentic film festival experience by having their work measured by a professional-level rubric. From the professional side, they can benefit from participating in an event that showcases the up-and-coming generation of storytellers. Unspooled can be a place for these two groups to come together in appreciation, in partnership and in a love for the craft,” he said.

��Ͽ� student filmmakers will work with area high school students on May 12, in a workshop geared to produce short narrative films. They will practice development, preproduction, production and postproduction before watching their works in Harvey Hall Theatre.

“Hunt is particularly interested in watching these student films as he loves to see emerging talent,” Wheeler said.

‘My life is film’

Four ��Ͽ� students, all filmmakers themselves, are working with Wheeler to coordinate and promote Unspooled.

“My life is film. It's made me into the man I am today,” said Payton Kosiorek, a video production junior from Eagan, Minn.

Kosiorek is the festival’s student ambassador, working on his independent study. With his public speaking skills, he pitches the festival, reaching out to news outlets in the area for interviews.

Pang Chia Yang, of Plover, is the team’s dedicated Master of Fine Arts in design graduate student. And Dayton Feldt, of Beloit, and Joey Lange, of Harmony, Minn., are making social media and YouTube promotional films as a part of their video production capstone class.

Dayton Feldt and Joey Lange interviewing Parker Cmeyla for Unspooled / Dayton Feldt

“I love promotional work and event documentation,” Feldt said. “I love highlighting the cool, hard work that video students are passionate about.”

For their promotional videos, Feldt and Lange interviewed fellow students whose short films have been selected for the festival, including:

Parker Cmeyla, Menomonie: “Errands”
Lucas Falkavage, Stevens Point: “Shared Space”
Cole Finn, Mondovi: “Paper Boats”
Zach Hoffmire, Kenosha, and Nicos Wiard, Minneapolis: “No Such Thing”
Sarah Vicchiollo, Greenville: “Being Mr. Vicchiollo”

Official Unspooled selection "Paper Boats" by Cole Finn / Dayton Feldt and Joey Lange

Feldt will be submitting his short film “Folded,” as well as a documentary he is co-directing with Natalie Watters, of St. Paul, about the production of “Be More Chill,” the first theater performance at ��Ͽ� in three years because of the pandemic.

Although Kosiorek mainly focuses on narrative projects, he submitted his Menomonie Culvers documentary to the festival, capturing the reasons why it was rated best in hospitality, to Unspooled.

“The video productions professors are outstanding at what they do; they all have their own strengths to create a diverse major. There’s a melting pot of knowledge between them, and they help us learn about what we love and to get better every day,” Kosiorek said. For young filmmakers who are “passionate about film and want to learn, coming to the festival and talking to our professors would be helpful,” he added.

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Muralists from around the U.S. and world join university artists and volunteers for public art event

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Interior design camp, industry-standard software introduces campers to career paths in residential, commercial design

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Film and animation event debut invites community May 12-14; submissions close April 28 Unspooled Film Festival graphic

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Unspooled is supported by the School of Art and Design and Continuing Education and Conferences.

Jonathan Paul Wheeler

Jonny has a diverse and extensive background in stop-motion animation, photography, video production, graphic design, sculpture, and art/design education. Over the years, he has honed his skills across multiple disciplines, blending traditional techniques with contemporary technologies to create visually compelling and thought-provoking works. His work in sculpture, in particular, has given him a unique perspective on the intersection of physical and digital media, enabling him to explore how tactile, three-dimensional forms can enhance narrative storytelling in film and animation.

Jonny's formal education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, where he developed his foundational skills in the arts. He later earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education, equipping him with the tools to teach and inspire others in the creative fields. His academic journey culminated in a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he further refined his expertise in design and creative processes.

In addition to his academic achievements, Jonny has dedicated much of his career to education, designing and hosting cinema workshops for secondary students, where he nurtures the next generation of filmmakers by guiding them through the creative and technical processes of filmmaking. He has also taught summer video production camps on campus, helping young students explore video production techniques and the power of storytelling through film. His ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging has earned him praise from both students and peers. He has also contributed to the Visioneers Design Challenge at the Peck School of the Arts, where he mentors students to develop innovative design solutions, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and problem-solving.

Jonny’s educational journey also includes a transformative study abroad trip to Iceland, where he taught photography. Immersed in the unique landscapes of Iceland, he shared his expertise with students while also drawing inspiration from the country’s dramatic natural beauty. This experience deepened his understanding of visual storytelling and enriched his approach to teaching and creating art.

Currently, Jonny’s research is focused on the development of narrative cinema, with an emphasis on virtual production—a rapidly growing field that integrates real-time digital environments with live-action performance. He is particularly interested in how new technologies, including AI, can enhance storytelling, automate certain aspects of production, and open up new creative possibilities for filmmakers and animators alike. His work explores the intersection of human creativity and technological innovation, with a keen eye on the future of the film industry.

In addition to his research, Jonny is actively involved in the development of the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival. This festival aims to bring together emerging and established filmmakers, animators, and creators who are pushing the boundaries of storytelling through both traditional and digital media. By embracing AI-driven creativity, innovative techniques, and cutting-edge production methods, the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival celebrates the evolving landscape of film, animation, and sculpture while fostering a space for collaboration and experimentation in the arts. Through this festival, Jonny hopes to inspire a new generation of creators to explore the limitless potential of storytelling in the digital age, encouraging the integration of multiple artistic forms, including sculpture, into cinematic experiences.

Full Name: Jonathan Paul Wheeler

Job Title: Assistant Professor

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Website: Jonathan Paul Wheeler

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Degree: M.F.A. Design

University: University of Wisconsin-Stout

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University: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Degree: B.S. Art Education

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Invitation to innovation: Supporters, community celebrate students’ creative, scholarly and athletic activities

goersab — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 14:41:46 +0000

Invitation to innovation: Supporters, community celebrate students’ creative, scholarly and athletic activitiesgoersab March 23, 2023

Destination Weekend, April 14-15, features Fashion Without Fabric, polytechnic exhibition and more

Abbey Goers

��Ͽ� will welcome hundreds of students’ families and supporters for Destination Weekend, a time to celebrate students and their campus.

Academic, athletic and community events will run Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15, including the annual sensation Fashion Without Fabric, which will return to the runway after last year’s sold-out, exhibit-style event.

A Polytechnic Student Exhibition will highlight research by more than 70 students. And the production of “Be More Chill” will mark the first theater performance on campus in three years.

Destination Weekend

Inviting families, supporters, alumni and others to campus April 10-12, 2026, to celebrate all things Stout!

Destination Weekend is the rebranded, reimagined event, formerly called Family Weekend.

Hitting the runway in style

About 280 students in 14 sections of the 3D Design course are working in teams of two to three to design fashions for the crowd-favorite runway show Fashion Without Fabric.

The show will be held at 7 p.m. on April 15, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. Tickets are required and go on sale online on Monday, March 27. The show sells out each year.

Tickets for a Low Stimuli Room will also be available for individuals wanting to watch a live broadcast of the show in an environment with reduced lighting and lower volume, held in the Memorial Student Center Cedar/Maple rooms.

Fashion Without Fabric

��Ͽ� Polytechnic and the School of Art & Design invite you one of the Midwest's premier unconventional fashion runway shows, Fashion Without Fabric.

For this year’s theme, “Inventions and Innovations,” teams drew a random slip of paper to see which invention from across the centuries they were assigned. Their fashion creations will represent a vast array of items, including pacemakers, motorcycles, guitars, gummy bears, Lego, kites, jet engines, bubble gum, cassette tapes, and even Cheese Whiz, explained Cathie Weissman, a financial specialist for the School of Art and Design.

Students will begin planning and creating their fashions on March 27, giving them just three weeks to conceptualize and build their outfits before the runway performance.

About 280 students will model their fashions based on “Inventions and Innovations” on the runway in the MSC Great Hall. / ��Ͽ�

Weissman, who helps coordinate the event and secures supplies for the students’ designs, said they work with all types of media, and each instructor has a different spin on how to teach the concept.

“It’s just one part of their semester – a very large part,” she said. “It’s exciting to see what they do and the processes and media they use. The students are taking all the skills they’ve learned in their 2D courses and are incorporating them into 3D concepts in their sculptural outfits.”

The School of Art and Design will award two $1,000 scholarships to the winners of the show, thanks to donations by industry partners, alumni and community members.

Hands-on research on display

A Polytechnic Student Exhibition, featuring applied research posters and class projects from more than 70 students across 20 programs, will be on display in Micheels Atrium, Jarvis Hall Tech Wing hallway and Jarvis Hall main lobby.

“The multibuilding display seeks to draw connections between programs and the types of cross-disciplinary opportunities students and student research teams are able to do in their courses,” said Tamara Brantmeier, associate provost and vice chancellor of Student and Partner Engagement, event coordinator.

More than 70 students across 20 programs will display their research at the Polytechnic Student Exhibition. / ��Ͽ�

Student projects will include LAKES REU research, along with nine posters that were presented at Research in the Rotunda, a recent event highlighting student research at the state Capitol. Four interior design projects will line the hallway near the Construction Labs, where students take construction and architectural drafting courses to complement their design and art history work. And packaging projects researching plastic waste and sustainability will be posted near the Plastics Lab.

The exhibition will begin with the UW System Board of Regents visit on Thursday, March 30, and remain up through Destination Weekend.

First theater production in three years

Tickets are available online at University Ticketing for “Be More Chill,” a new sci-fi musical about high school, friendships and bullies, popularity and social outcasts, and what we will do to get what we want.

This is the first theater production on campus in three years because of the pandemic.

Performances will be held in the historic Harvey Hall Theatre:

Evening performances: 7:30 p.m., April 13-15
Matinees: 2 p.m., April 15-16

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Athletic and recreation events and campus activities

Friday, April 14. These events are open to the public; no registration is required.

Free Climbing: 3 to 8 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 56
GLOW Climb: 8 to 10 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center room 56
Blue Devil Productions presents comedian Tommy Ryman: 8 p.m., MSC Great Hall.

Saturday, April 15. These events are open to the public; no registration is required.

Polytechnic Student Exhibition: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., multibuilding exhibition
Poker Walk: 10:30 a.m. to noon, beginning in front of McCalmont Hall, 10th Ave. E
Men’s baseball vs. UW-Oshkosh: Noon and 3 p.m., Nelson Field
Pickleball and yard games: Noon to 3 p.m., Sports and Fitness Center Multipurpose Room
Women's lacrosse vs. College of Saint Benedict: 1 p.m., Nelson Field
StoutProud Bingo: 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., MSC Terrace
Stout Amazing Race: time and location to be announced
The Neighbors community card writing: time and location to be announced.

Urec Destination Weekend Events

Fun 5K run/walk event hosted on Family Weekend

The School of Art and Design will award two $1,000 scholarships to the winners of Fashion Without Fabric. / ��Ͽ�

Furlong Gallery and Gallery 209 in the Applied Arts Building will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 14, and noon to 4 p.m. on April 15. Furlong will feature three exhibiting artists Ger Xiong, textile and fiber; Corrine Teed, printmaking and drawing; and Associate Professor Erik Evensen’s sabbatical work.

The student gallery, Gallery 209, will feature two students’ thesis shows. And the Library Art Lab, a new exhibiting space on the first floor of the University Library will also be open for viewing.

Other student showcases coming up are Research Day on Tuesday, May 2, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall; and SOAD Senior Show on Friday, May 5, in the Applied Arts Building and Micheels Hall.

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Video production program work highlights viability of Wisconsin as film hub

Students, alums assist in Deming’s unique medical drama ‘Winter Hymns,’ filmed in Menomonie

Canon selects ��Ͽ� for exclusive Explorers of Light program with award-winning cinematographer

Shana Hagan, ASC, has worked on everything from Oscar-winning documentaries to hit sitcoms

John Deere will benefit from sustainable plastic research conducted by ��Ͽ� students, faculty

Two-year project seeks to identify recycled polymers that can be used in manufacturing process

Destination Weekend, April 14-15, features Fashion Without Fabric, polytechnic exhibition and more 20170408_Fashion_Without_Fabric

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Fashion Without Fabric inspires sold out audience with ‘wearable sculptures’

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Hero Caption: Students will hit the runway at Fashion Without Fabric, during ��Ͽ�'s Destination Weekend, April 14-15.

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University Theatre brings ‘The Elephant Man’ to Harvey Hall Theatre

powersp — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:54:26 +0000

University Theatre brings ‘The Elephant Man’ to Harvey Hall Theatrepowersp October 29, 2019

Production addresses humanity, science, theology, economic disparity

University Theatre’s latest production “The Elephant Man” is about “the other,” according to Director Paul Calenberg.

“It’s about the other and how the morality of the situation is always seen through the eyes of the privileged,” Calenberg said.

University Theatre is staging “The Elephant Man” at Harvey Hall Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, through Saturday, Nov. 9, Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for those under age 12. Tickets can be purchased online and at the Memorial Student Center, 715- 232-1122.

“The Elephant Man” is a Tony Award-winning play based on the real-life experiences — particularly the last six years — of the life of John Merrick, who lived from 1862 to 1890 in London during the Victorian era. He suffered from a disease that causes extreme disfigurement of his face and body. Abandoned and left to fend for himself, he suffered great humiliation and suffering but retained his sense of compassion and justice.

“He’s everybody’s dog, mastered and trained,” Calenberg said of Merrick. “I am hoping people will be able to take a sense of humanity and what it means to be human from this play. Merrick is able to transcend that condemnation and brutality toward the other, and he does it with humility.”

The play has so many levels to offer to a university and the community, Calenberg noted. It addresses science vs. theology, Darwinism vs. creationism, poor vs. wealth and philosophy.

“It’s an economic play,” Calenberg said. “It’s a history play. It can be relevant for every student or professor on a college campus. It can open discussions pertinent to college life and our moral education. Merrick has a moral sense, a moral center and a moral need. We are all other to someone else.”

Merrick is performed by Nick Franco, a sophomore majoring in video production from St. Paul. The role is a challenge, Franco noted.

“The physical challenge is taking the posture, which is uncomfortable to hold,” Franco said. “The right hip is out; the right shoulder is brought up to the ear.”

He also has to create a voice that pauses and stutters but can be heard by the audience, Franco said. “I hope the audience understands that no matter how someone looks they can be a poet at heart,” he added.

Calenberg said Franco has a mix of charisma and a soothing, resonant voice that fit Merrick. “He has a keen intellectual understanding of what’s going on in the play,” Calenberg added.

After Merrick is exhibited in a “freak” sideshow and abandoned, he is rescued by a young Dr. Frederick Treves.

Derek Johnson, a junior computer science major from Riverside, Ill., portrays Treves. Treves means well and wants to help Merrick but may be using Merrick to further his career and stature. “You can mean well and do bad,” Johnson said of Treves. “He thinks he knows best. You need to understand the people you’re talking to and understand what they are comfortable with and want out of life.”

Harvey Hall Theatre, in ��Ͽ�’s Harvey Hall, is in the League of Historic American Theatres.

Student cast members and their majors are:

Nick Franco, St. Paul, video production
Derek Johnson, Riverside, Ill., computer science
Trevor Zeyen, Hastings, Minn., manufacturing engineering
John Hoffland, Rib Lake, entertainment design
Ira Hoffman, Morris, Minn., computer science
Kyle Burger, Lake Mills, video production
Benjamin Bucheger, Pewaukee, undeclared
Christian Krohn, Oakdale, Minn., computer science with a concentration in game design
Dayton Feldt, Beloit, video production
Jasmine Frederick, Marshfield, graphic design
Natalie Watters, St. Paul, video production
Erin Buerke, Elk River, Minn., retail merchandising and management
Sydney LeBarron-Fahl, Menomonie, undeclared
Megan Grindeland, Eagan, Minn., environmental science
Liz Jeppesen, Sunburg, Minn., hotel, restaurant and tourism management
Megan Ongemach, Greenville, packaging

“The Elephant Man” has very simplistic staging, which is designed to allow the audience to focus on the play’s words, Calenberg said.

A cello will be played during the performances on stage by Dr. Erin Hall-Rhoades, family physician and medical director at ��Ͽ� Student Health Services.

“The music sets the tone,” Calenberg said. “The cello is one of the most soulful instruments.”

Assistant Professor Jennifer Sansfacon is the designer and technical director for University Theater.

��Ͽ� offers a minor in performing arts. In addition to theater, the university has a band and choir as part of performing arts offerings.

###

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Students work on choreography steps for the University Theatre’s production of “The Elephant Man.”

“The Elephant Man” has very simplistic staging designed to allow the audience to focus on the play’s words.

University Theatre’s latest production “The Elephant Man” is about “the other,” according to Director Paul Calenberg. elephantmanhero.jpg

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Hero Caption: ��Ͽ� student Nick Franco, as John Merrick, performs during a rehearsal of ��Ͽ�’s latest theater production “The Elephant Man.” ��Ͽ� photos by Chris Cooper.

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Play, Fashion Without Fabric highlight Family Weekend activities

polingj — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 16:33:55 +0000

Play, Fashion Without Fabric highlight Family Weekend activitiespolingj April 5, 2019

Nearly 20 events, most of them free, scheduled on campus April 12-13

Theater, fashion, art, film, music, comedy — all that and more are part of ��Ͽ�’s annual Family Weekend scheduled Friday and Saturday, April 12-13.

The weekend is designed to bring students’ families to campus. Most of the nearly 20 events and activities are free, and all are open to the public.

More than 2,600 people attended 2018 Family Weekend events, according to the university's Involvement Center, which coordinates the weekend.

Families planning to attend should register in advance at the website or when they arrive at the check-in and registration table in the Memorial Student Center. Registration is free.

Highlights of the weekend include:

Three performances of the University Theatre play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” in historic Harvey Hall Theatre. Tickets are $15.
The annual Fashion Without Fabric show on Saturday night. Tickets typically sell out. The runway show features about 100 unique designs — made of anything but traditional fabric — by nearly 200 School of Art and Design students.
A student drawing exhibition Friday night at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.
Comedian and mind reader Eric Dittelman on Friday night.
A fun run/walk on Saturday morning.
Live music Saturday afternoon outside the Memorial Student Center.

Other events and activities include Foodie Bingo, a family photo booth, trivia contest, 4:51 Short Film Festival and Exhibition, Stout Secrets tour, Mabel Tainter tour, bean bag tournament and Monster Drawing Rally.

The ��Ͽ� Escape Room is sold out for the weekend.

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Photos

Charlie Peavey models “Tranquility” during the 2018 Fashion Without Fabric show at ��Ͽ�.

��Ͽ� student Sydney Turner visited the photo booth with her parents, Teresa and Scott, during 2018 Family Weekend.

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University Theatre brings ‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile' to Harvey Hall Theatre

powersp — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:12:56 +0000

University Theatre brings ‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile' to Harvey Hall Theatrepowersp March 28, 2019

Art and science take center stage in comedy opening April 5

The creative process is celebrated in the latest University of Wisconsin-Stout Theatre production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” with humor and a bit of sparring between a celebrity of art and one of science.

Comedian Steve Martin’s comedy of historical fiction has Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meet in a Paris tavern in 1904, the year before Einstein’s theory of relativity and Picasso’s transition to cubism, to debate the value of genius and talent.

University Theatre is staging the one-act comedy at Harvey Hall Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, as well as Thursday, April 11, through Saturday, April 13. A matinee will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

Tickets are $15. They can be purchased online and at the Memorial Student Center Service Center, 715-232-1122.

“Whether you are in the sciences or the arts, you are involved in a creative process,” said University Theatre Director Paul Calenberg. “The idea is to create a new thought, a new way of looking at the world through the equation or the paintbrush.”

In the play, when Picasso and Einstein start to become a bit haughty about their importance, a time traveler with blue suede shoes shows up to showcase another type of genius.

Calenberg said he wanted students to perform a show he thought faculty, staff, students and the community would enjoy.

“Comedy is the hardest script to write and the hardest play to perform,” Calenberg said. “It’s all about timing. When you have a script written by a comedic genius like Martin, you already have that written right in.”

��Ͽ� sophomore Derek Johnson portrays the womanizing and arrogant Picasso. “In this show, Picasso is not a nice guy,” Johnson said, smiling. “He’s conceited. He knows he is talented, and he flaunts it. He definitely objectifies women. He thinks of women as someone beautiful to be painted but not talked to. It is a challenge to play that. He is definitely difficult. But it is fun to portray because he is so energetic and flamboyant.”

Johnson, who is majoring in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity, hopes people will enjoy the play’s humor but also think about how both art and science have impacted the world.

He noted ��Ͽ� offers both art- and science-based degrees as part of an education that includes the liberal arts, including theater and music. That was very important to him when he was looking to continue his education.

Will O’Brien, a first-year student studying applied mathematics and computer science, portrays Einstein. “Einstein is a nerd,” he said. “It’s a stereotype, but I believe he breaks it because he is charming and quick-witted.”

O’Brien loved the script once he read it. “It brings two of the biggest parts of being human – art and science,” O’Brien said. Science asks questions that aren’t always necessary for survival. Art is for beauty and expression and again not a necessity for survival. Yet both are important for humanity, he noted.

Cast members and their majors are:

Sarah Bauer, Chesapeake, Va., applied mathematics and computer science
Megan Ongemach, Greenville, packaging
Robert Timmler, West Bend, graphic communications
Ira Hoffman, Morris, Minn., computer science
Jonah Brandt, Janesville, real estate property management
Lois Cassell, Brooklyn Park, Minn., psychology
Will O’Brien, Rochester, Minn., applied mathematics and computer science
Jasmine Frederick, Marshfield, graphic design and interactive media
Joseph Ceranski, Fredonia, game design and development
Derek Johnson, Riverside, Ill., computer science
Ryan Vanden Boomen, Green Bay, applied mathematics and computer science
Danny Leos, Chippewa Falls, professional communication and emerging media
Riley Dunham, Bloomington, Minn., entertainment design
Anthony Madland, Spring Valley, graduate student in operations and supply chain management

The scenery for “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” was created by Assistant Professor Jennifer Sansfacon. “The audience is going to feel like they are at a corner bar in Paris,” Calenberg said.

The show includes a special effect when a painting is revealed as part of the script, Calenberg said. Costumes were created by Barb Weisenberger of Eau Claire. The 75-minute show will run in one act with no intermission.

Harvey Hall Theatre, in ��Ͽ�’s Harvey Hall, is in the League of Historic American Theatres.

��Ͽ� is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

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Photos

Johnson, at left, and O'Brien face off during a rehearsal as Picasso and Einstein, respectively.

Paul Calenberg

“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” is a comedy written by Steve Martin. The creative process is celebrated in the show by University Theatre.

The creative process is celebrated in the latest University of Wisconsin-Stout Theatre production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” with humor and a bit of sparring theaterhero2

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