The Green Room

The Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT) is introducing a new musical series this upcoming season, titled Black Box Sessions: Hip-Hop. The series aims to support the evolution of the performing arts by highlighting genres and artists that both define the scope and push the boundaries of their art forms. 

I sat down with WUT’s Arts Services Manager Kate Schwartz to learn more about the significance of hip-hop and how crucial this new series is to the future of performing arts in Madison. 

“We are constantly trying to elevate and defy expectations,” Schwartz said. 

WUT has programmed jazz, classical, theater and dance lineups over the years, but hip-hop has never been an exclusive series. This season, however, Black Box Sessions will bring an intimate, nightclub-like event to the Memorial Union, highlighting four incredible performers. 

To kick off this new series, Sa-Roc will perform on Dec. 5, followed by Marlowe on Jan. 30, th1rt3en on Feb. 13, and Blackway on March 6. 

“You could go to a performance each month from December to March and experience four different manifestations of what Hip Hop was, is and is becoming,” Schwartz explained. 

Ultimately, each artist brings a unique background and style of music, making this series not only exciting but imperative to the entire arc of WUT’s 2024-2025 season. 

When programming this series, Schwartz emphasized three factors that drive her detailed decision-making:e audience, performance and circumstance. Circumstance, in many cases, is simply the space, and space was at the forefront of the Black Box Session series name and aesthetic. The “Black Box” is the Play Circle Theater, itself, which will be transformed into a standing room venue, fitting around 200 audience members. For the audience, the smaller space will allow for a deeper connection to the music through the sound, feel and look of the production. However, this experience is touching for the artist, as well. 

“The ‘underground’ aspect of hip-hop is largely in reference to the small venues in which it is performed. Playing a small room again also serves as a throwback for many established artists,” Schwartz said. “There is a more intimate interaction with the audience.” 

To Schwartz, hip-hop in a performing arts season makes perfect sense, and she hopes that the addition will further connect students, faculty, staff and the Madison community in meaningful ways through this singular series and the potential shared experiences.

“After all, the arts are for everyone,” she said.

Subscriptions and single tickets to the 2024-2025 Black Box Sessions are on sale now. Bundle all four performances and save 15% off single ticket prices. Learn more, and purchase your tickets to the debut Black Box Sessions series season here.