Through Jan. 19, 2026, the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) team is accepting applications for the André De Shields Fund, which provides seed grants of $1,000-$3,000 to University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduate students to develop, design, produce, and perform original artistic works that inspire transformation.
Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate students with a performance art-based project, such as theater, music, dance, or spoken word, that has not been previously performed professionally. Applicants should explain how their identities influence their visions and intended impact, and projects should have an estimated total budget of no more than $20,000.
Established in honor of Broadway legend and UW–Madison alumnus André De Shields, the Fund supports student artists in bringing their creative visions to life. Awardees can use the grants to cover the project’s direct costs, such as space rental, artist and designer fees or honoraria, materials, production and recording costs, and marketing costs.
“The André De Shields Fund is intended to be a force for transformation, just like André is,” WUT Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “The Fund reflects its namesake André De Shields’ journey to stardom, which was not without obstacles, including while he was a student. We are proud to provide students with resources and opportunities that help unleash their creativity and remove obstacles to success.”
Awarded in spring 2025, the inaugural André De Shields Fund recipients include Jordan Waters, DeOnna Garrison, Bri Bernard, and Diya Abbas, with an honorable mention awarded to Teja DeShay Davis. Their projects encompass poetry, playwriting, music production, and interdisciplinary performance, each exploring the transformative power of live performing arts.
The André De Shields Fund is made possible with lead gifts from Jonathan and Susan Lipp and Jun and Sandy Lee and with special support from Deirdre Garton. The André De Shields Fund is an initiative of WUT.
UW–Madison undergraduate students can learn more about the Fund and how to apply at union.wisc.edu/visit/wisconsin-union-theater/andre-de-shields-fund.