In-person performances and online shows offer theatre thrills

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The spring 2021 Center for the Arts performance line-up promises a wide array of entertainment genres, as well as different viewing mediums for audiences’ enjoyment this semester. Both the Theatre & Dance Department, as well as the Young Auditorium have curated lists of productions that offer a show for every taste and a venue for every viewer.
The Department of Theatre & Dance plans performances such as “Antigone,” “A Night at the Opera” and “God of Carnage.”

The department will also show Dancescapes ‘21, which will be performed for the camera, but not for an audience on the stage.
“In a non-COVID year we always do some kind of musical, a dance concert, a classical piece and something more cutting edge,” said Theatre & Dance Department Chair Marshall Anderson.
This semester, tickets of events put on by the Theatre and Dance department will be sold as links to a stream, where the viewer can watch the show at any given point within the time period the show is being put on. Normally, events are held at multiple locations such as the Barnett Theatre and the Hicklin Studio Theatre. However, tickets will only be sold as digital links, with no audience members being able to attend.
“What we produce on stage or digital is a big part of the curriculum. It is facilitated, staffed, cast and undertaken by a dedicated group of UW-W students, staff and faculty.” said assistant professor of theatre Bruce Cohen.
The Young Auditorium is also hard at work, putting together a lineup of performances and shows. It will be showing Disney’s “Moana” and “La Boheme” presented by the Florentine Opera, among others. Tickets will be sold in a similar fashion to the Theatre & Dance Department, however, the Young Auditorium is also offering seats to live performances. Seats are in limited availability, and are spread out to accompany social distancing guidelines. All online streamed performances are free with viewers encouraged to donate what they can for the digital screening. The Young Auditorium puts on a variety of shows all done by professional actors and singers. It is dedicated to creating multiple viewing opportunities that showcase the performing arts for a variety of audiences, according to marketing manager Aaron Wesolowski.
“We’ve been really pivoting and doing our best to deliver performing arts opportunities,” Wesolowski said.