The Green Room

By Erika Stevens

As we start a new school year, we are also welcoming a new group of student leaders to the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee (PAC). These are the passionate students who program the upcoming Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) season, choosing a unique range of performing artists to grace our stages. For the 2024-2025 season, Nazeeha Rahman will lead the group as the WUD PAC director. 

Nazeeha is a junior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, originally from the Chicago suburbs. She is a First Wave scholar majoring in international studies with a certificate in developmental economics and public policy. 

Get to Know Nazeeha:

How long have you been involved in WUD PAC? What are some of the roles you’ve had in the past? Any favorite memories to share? 

I have been involved in WUD PAC for over a year. Last year, I was an external relations associate director. This year I am the director of WUD PAC. My favorite memory from being part of WUD PAC is going to our annual Association of Performing Arts Professionals convention in New York City. The Winter Jazz Festival was my absolute favorite moment.

How did you decide to initially get involved in WUD PAC? If you have any special connections to music or the performing arts, we’d love to hear more! 

As I am a part of First Wave, a hip-hop and urban arts scholarship program, I have always been exposed to performing arts. I love being on a stage and being able to share my art with the world. I also have recently enjoyed seeing how a show plays out backstage and helping a story form for another artist. I love PAC, because it gives me an opportunity to share the stage with many amazing performing artists.

What are you most excited for this year as director? 

I am tremendously lucky to work with some of my best friends in creating an enriching and entertaining season. I am excited to collaborate with different WUD committees, as well, and see what they have in store for this season.

Which performance are you most excited for in the 24-25 season?

I am very excited for the first Jazz Series performance by esperanza spalding. Her song “I Know You Know” has been on repeat for me all summer, and it is going to be such an honor to meet such a talented woman who is so amazing at what she performs on stage!

What is something you wish more people knew about WUD PAC or the Wisconsin Union Theater? 

I wish more UW students knew that performing arts and a show are truly what can bring home to them. Even just for a couple of hours, a show can be so valuable to anyone who comes to the theater. Music, art, and literature can already relax the mind, so what better way to celebrate it than having it live?

Who else is on the WUD PAC committee this year?

I can honestly say that this group of associate directors will be unforgettable. We are composed of musicians, rappers, visual artists, producers, and poets. Such a talented group will bring artistry and energy to the stage and program selection.

Get Involved

If you, or someone you know, wants to get involved in WUD PAC, there are multiple ways to make that a reality! All students are invited to come to the WUD PAC general board meetings on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. at Memorial Union. (Check the Today in the Union screens in Memorial Union or union.wisc.edu/titu for specific room locations.) If you want to be an associate director on the committee or next year’s director, complete an application for the 2025-2026 academic year during the application period in spring 2025. 

No matter how you want to get involved, Nazeeha welcomes you to join in!

“Help us bring world-class artists to the Madison stage and embrace a new perspective of performing art,” Nazeeha says. “You can honor your leadership capabilities and experience a ton of amazing performances.”