Remaking the Play Circle
By Emily Connor In the 1930s, the Wisconsin Union constructed the Fredric March Play Circle Theater. Although original plans intended the Play Circle to be much larger, it was scaled back due to budget issues that arose just before construction. The Play Circle ended up being designed as an experimental theater, with three stages instead of one. The idea was that a three-act play could be staged with each act set on a different stage,...
Wisconsin Union Theater stage lights up for a stunning 2011-12 season
By Erin Bannen p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4oMKXOSf08&feature=player_embedded Concert Series The world-touring Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble is a string octet with over 30 CDs to their name. They will be playing classical pieces from Brahms, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn. Caroline Goulding, just 19, is said to be the next Hilary Hahn, a master American violinist. Known for her fresh sound and new...
Summer nights are still hot on the Memorial Union Terrace
For some, summer may be ending as August begins. But the Memorial Union Terrace plans to be open until temperatures drop and the first snowflake falls, giving members plenty of time to enjoy the Lake Mendota scenery. Several unsuspecting Union members and UW Madison students gave their opinions on the best Babcock ice cream flavor, their favorite Terrace activity and much more. Even more members answered on our Facebook page...
Guest post: Steven Skolaski on Rennie’s grand opening
By Steven F. Skolaski Steven F. Skolaski serves as a member of the board of directors for the UW Foundation and is the president of the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation Inc. Steven is a UW Madison alumn of the class of 1971 and is a former employee of the original Rennebohm Drug Store. It has been nearly a month since the grand opening of Rennie’s Dairy Bar in the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery building located on the corner of...
Sweet Honey in the Rock’s music is more than just a melody
By Erin Bannen and Emily Connor Few bands can master mixing beautiful melodies with social commentary and political rhetoric. However, Sweet Honey in the Rock has been masterfully producing powerful and persuasive vocals for over 35 years. This all female, African American a cappella group will bring its unique sound, thoughts and stories to the Wisconsin Union Theater stage to entertain Madison audiences this October. When it comes...
The Travel Adventure series: A piece of Madison history
By Erin Bannen and Emily Connor In a global technological society where Skyping a friend in Italy and watching a Youtube video of the Libyan protests are commonplace, it might seem that the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Travel Adventure Series is obsolete. These days, learning about a different culture may be only one click away on the Internet. The Travel Adventure Series has given audiences multicultural experiences for over 50 years....