The green room. Every venue in show business has one. It's a place for performers to relax before, during and after a show and the energy varies, depending on which artist walks through the door: Excited, nervous, calm. We welcome you to join us and take a look at what goes on behind the scenes look at the theater. Welcome to the green room!
Tucked beneath Shannon Hall, Winkler Lounge is a cozy, historic gathering space with a long-standing connection to Wisconsin Union Theater events. Whether hosting special guests, bringing audiences closer to performers, or welcoming donors, the art-deco-inspired lounge offers an intimate setting for connecting with the arts.
Music can connect people in countless ways, from the intricate interplay of a string ensemble to jazz that challenges listeners to think about the world around them. On Nov. 20 and 21, the Wisconsin Union Theater team welcomes two performances that showcase how wide-ranging live music can be.
Whether you gravitate toward classical music, contemporary jazz, or another genre, this weekend offers a chance to discover a new favorite. Keep reading to explore what makes each performance unique and what you can look forward to hearing in Shannon Hall.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Wisconsin Union Theater! We’re thrilled to present three one-of-a-kind performances to brighten your holiday season.
From the rich, iconic brass sounds of Canadian Brass and the Isaiah J. Thompson Quartet’s soulful jazz tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to the gorgeous, intimate harmonies of Aoife O'Donovan and Chris Thile, there's something for everyone.
College life can feel like a blur of classes, group projects, work, competing deadlines and the occasional question of whether cereal counts as dinner and how long pizza can safely sit out on the counter and still be eaten.
This fall, we are creating a little space in the middle of all that for well-being.
Since its publication in 1818, Mary Shelley's “Frankenstein” has remained one of the most influential and frequently reimagined stories in literature. More than two centuries after Mary Shelley’s novel first appeared, the story continues to inspire films, television shows, plays, comic books and even Halloween costumes. Yet despite its familiarity, “Frankenstein” remains as thought-provoking today as it was when it was first published.
Many of us have been to concerts in which artists feel like a world away, framed by a distant stage and a sea of seats between us and the music. You’re part of it all but also separated from it.
And then there are performances in which you’re close enough to catch all the little things: the artists’ expressions, an improvised moment, a smile at you from an artist, an exchange of excited looks between performers…
That’s the kind of experience waiting for you on the second floor of Memorial Union at the Play Circle Theater.
On Sept. 10, bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh will take the stage in the Play Circle Theater to open the Wisconsin Union Theater's 2026-27 Jazz Series. A celebrated collaborator, composer and bandleader, Oh's career connects her to a remarkable network of musicians, including several familiar names from the Wisconsin Union Theater.
While a performance at the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) may only last for a few hours, the conversations and connections it sparks can last much longer.
That idea is at the heart of the Interdisciplinary Arts Community Sessions (IACS). IACS are interactive, on-campus events designed to connect students, faculty and the broader Madison community with artists. IACS creates opportunities to explore the ideas behind a performance through open conversations, rather than a traditional lecture.
What is IACS?
When vocal ensemble Cantus and wind quintet Imani Winds take the stage together on Sept. 16, audiences will experience a collaboration years in the making. Their program, “My Ancestors Speak,” brings together the two acclaimed ensembles in a performance centered on heritage, identity and the stories that connect generations.
Five-time GRAMMY-winning musician, actress, and activist, Angélique Kidjo, released her new album, “HOPE!!” on April 24, serving as the follow-up to her 2021 Grammy-winning “Mother Nature.”
“HOPE!!”offers a revelatory body of work across 16 new recordings, bringing joy that also serves as a unifying force, a conduit for healing, and a much-needed remedy for despair in troubled times. This album showcases why Kidjo is one of Africa’s most influential and inspiring artists.
