Ladies and gentlemen, there can be no flash photography during the performances. The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited. We thank you for remembering to turn off any personal electronic devices that might beep, buzz, ring, or vibrate. Written by Charles Morey Director Michelle Lopez-Rios Scenic Designer Sandra J. Strawn Costume Designer Jeffrey Lieder Lighting Designer Stephen Roy White Sound Designer Chris Guse There will be one 15 minute intermission There will be fog and a blank fired weapon. The cast and crew of this production are in no way responsible for uncontrollable snickers, giggles, and guffaws that may occur as a result of watching this play. “Laughing Stock� is presented by special arrangement with DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, INC.
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CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEAR ANCE) Gordon Page ............................................................................................................................Alex Van Abel Jack Morris .................................................................................................................................. Nolen Borne Susannah Huntsmen ........................................................................................................Maggie McGwin Mary Pierre .......................................................................................................................... Hannah Mitchell Tyler Taylor .................................................................................................................................. Roc Bauman Vernon Volker ......................................................................................................................... Robert Knapp Richfield Hawksley .................................................................................................................Michael Jeske Daisy Coates ................................................................................................................................. Kira Renkas Craig Conlin ..............................................................................................................................Alissa Kluever Sarah McKay ..................................................................................................................................Sasha Sigel Henry Mills ............................................................................................................................... Zachary Dean Braun Oakes ............................................................................................................................ Alec Lachman Karma Schneider ...................................................................................................................... Clara Forrest Ian Milliken ....................................................................................................................... Conner Dempsey PRODUCTION PERSONNEL Artistic Staff Assistant Dramaturg ...................................................................................................................Sasha Sigel Assistant Dialect Coach .................................................................................................. Hannah Mitchell Assistant Sound Designer .....................................................................................................Tracy Nowak Assistant Scenic Designer.................................................................................................. Adam Jermain Stage Management Staff Stage Manager...................................................................................................................Nicole Hageman Assistant Stage Manager....................................................................................................... Carissa Selby Technical Production Staff Technical Director.........................................................................................................................Chris Guse Production Shop Supervisor.............................................................................................. Tim Laughner Assistant Technical Director.................................................................................................. Will Haglund Paint Charge............................................................................................................................ Adam Jermain Scenic Painters......................................... Lisa Fadden, Katrina Moondancer Drake, Tracy Nowak Scenic Artisans.......................................Katrina Moondancer Drake, John Leahy, Adam Jermain Technical Crew............................................................................................... Students of 214 Stagecraft Properties Director ........................................................................................................ Sandra J. Strawn Props Master ...................................................................................................................... Cody Sherlowski Properties Artisan....................................................................................... Robert Boinski, Angela Zylla Lighting Director.......................................................................................................... Stephen Roy White Assistant Master Electrician............................................................................................... Robert Boinski Electricians....................................................................................................... Students of 214 Stagecraft Light Board Operator...............................................................................Tina Binns, Mitchell Sewalish Sound Board Operator.......................................................................................................... Nancy Correa Deck Crew........................................................................Levi Miles, Monica Teichert, Jess Schneider, Wren DuVernois, Clare Richey-Kaplan, Chris Warren
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Costume Production Staff Costume Director.................................................................................................................... Jeffrey Lieder Show Supervisor...............................................................................................................Megan Linsmeier Assistant Show Supervisor...............................................................................................Colby Breyfogle Costume Crafts............................................................................................................................ Katie Young Drapers.......................................................................Chen Chen, Olivia J. Herrera, Megan Linsmeier, Levi Miles, Jane Anello, Katherine July, Clare Richey-Kaplan, Emily Strohmenger, Andrew Beyer, Lyn Kream Stitchers....................................................................................Students of 225 Costume Construction Wardrobe Supervisor.........................................................................................................Colby Breyfogle Wardrobe Crew............................................................................. Chen Chen, Student of Theatre 225 Makeup............................................................................................................................... Hannah Glowacki D I R E C TO R N O T E S “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” –William Shakespeare “Comedy is tragedy plus time” – Carol Burnett The characters we meet in Laughing Stock are people we know (and love) in theatre. They are the folks I worked with many, many summers ago in Ojai, California and the folks you will meet next summer in Door County, Wisconsin. They are the players that enlighten, move, educate, and entertain us each time we go to the theatre. They are the magicians that dream up the world on stage. Creating this production took countless hours of research, design, and timing out those wonderful comedic moments. More important, however, it was an opportunity to listen to the stories of veteran artists in our robust theatre community. It was a chance to delve into history and to watch comic geniuses at the top of their game. We laughed, we cried, and we created this gift for you. We hope you enjoy it. Michelle Lopez-Rios
FREE THEATRE TICKETS… Just one of the many perks working for s Soasilteions
p lable avai
To apply or learn more, email your cover letter, resume, or questions to mthiele@footlights.com Laughing Stock
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D E PA R TM E N T O F T H E AT R E LeRoy Stoner................................................................................................................................................Chair ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Kristy Volbrecht...................................................................................................................... Office Manager FACULTY AND TEACHING ACADEMIC STAFF Katherine Balsley.................................................................................................Lecturer, Popular Culture Anne Basting, Ph.D.................................................................................................... Professor, Playwriting Jessica Berlin................................................................................................ Lecturer, Stage Management Dick Chudnow........................................................................................................................Lecturer, Acting R.H. Graham...........................................................................Associate Professor, Graphics and Design Christopher J. Guse............................................Associate Professor, Scenic and Audio Production Rebecca Holderness.......................................................................................Associate Professor, Acting Anthony Horne........................................................... Assistant Professor, Directing, Musical Theatre Tim Laughner................................ Associate Instrumentation Innovator, Scene Shop Supervisor Jeffrey Lieder........................................................Associate Professor, Head of Costume Production Michelle Lopez-Rios....................................................................... Associate Professor, Head of Acting Raeleen McMillion...................................................................................................Senior Lecturer, Acting Robin Mello, Ph.D.....................................................................Associate Professor, Theatre Education Corliss Phillabaum, Ph.D.............................................................. Professor Emeritus, Theatre History Pamela J. Rehberg........................................................................................................ Professor, Costumes Alvaro Saar-Rios....................................... Assistant Professor, Play Analysis, Playwriting, Devising Pamela Schermer.................... Associate Professor, Visual Communication for Performing Arts Sandra J. Strawn....................... Professor, Properties Production, Head of Technical Production James Tasse..............................................................................................................................Lecturer, Acting Jenny Wanasek.......................................................................................................................Lecturer, Acting William Watson.................................................................................................Associate Professor, Acting Stephen Roy White..............................................................................Senior Lecturer, Lighting Design PECK SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Scott Emmons.............................................................................................................................................Dean Kimberly Cosier.......................................................................................................................Associate Dean James Burmeister................................................................................................... Interim Assistant Dean ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Mary McCoy..................................................................................................................Assistant to the Dean Randall Trumbull-Holper............................................................................................... Facilities Manager Sandra Stetter................................................................................................ Human Resources Manager Amanda Obermeyer.................................................................................................. Accounting Manager DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING STAFF Diane Grace.............................................................................................................. Development Director Ellen Friebert Schupper..................................... Director of Marketing and Community Relations Nicole Schanen.............................................................................................................Marketing Specialist Justin Kunesh............................................................................Manager of Design/Web Development Joe Kotlan............................................................................................................................. Student Designer BOX OFFICE Christine Barclay............................................................................................................Box Office Manager Maria Del Carmen Corpus, Charlie Ewert.......................................................................Box Office Staff Alycia Griesi, Katie Henry, Aaron Kuczmarski, Marissa Milano, Alyse Page, Liz Parsons, Sam Pavel, Marina Rebellato, Bob Schaab, Veronica Thornton and Patrick Wilson. 4
UWM Peck School of the Arts
SPECIAL THANKS Utah Shakespeare Festival, Chris Flieller, Jane Flieller, Jessica Berlin, Raeleen McMillion, Richard Halverson, Ruth Schudson, Lisa Fadden CAST BIOGR APHIES ROC BAUMAN – Tyler Taylor Roc is a junior at UWM and a 2nd year in the BFA Acting program. His productions at UWM have been Mr. Marmalade, Stop Kiss, King Lear, Meet Me at the Avant Garde, and Italian American Reconciliation. He recently acted in an independent film through UWM, a farce titled Stupid Awesome. He is beside himself with how much fun this show is. He hopes it’s as entertaining for you as it is for him. NOLEN BORNE – Jack Morris Nolen is a Junior in the BFA program here at UWM. Past credits include Marisol, King Lear, Mr.Marmalade, and Dark Play or Stories For Boys (with Pink Banana Theatre). Nolen is thrilled for the opportunity to make such a fantastic Mainstage debut in “Laughing Stock”! He thanks his family for their love, his educators for their knowledge, and the Kids for their endless love and support on this journey together. ZACHARY DEAN – Henry Mills Zachary is delighted to be a member of this ensemble and production. Laughing Stock will be his main stage theatre debut, as well as his final production with the UWM Theatre Department. Previous roles include; Old Man from Gint, the Cook from Meet Me at the Avant Garde, the Steward from Into
the Woods, and many more within the Peck School of the Arts. After graduating with a BFA in Acting, Zachary plans to attend Shakespeare & Company’s Summer Training Institute in Lenox, Massachusetts. CONNOR DEMPSEY – Ian Milliken Conner Dempsey is thrilled to make his UWM debut in Laughing Stock. He is currently a freshman and very excited to continue working towards a BFA in acting. His previous credits include: To Kill a Mockingbird, Tartuffe, Don’t Drink the Water, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Blithe Spirit. Conner gives thanks to the cast & crew as well as his family and friends for their continuous support. CLARA FORREST – Karma Schneider Clara is a junior. She is currently in her second year of the BFA Acting program. Past credits include Meet Me at the Avant Garde, Les Liaison Dangereuses and an understudy in Uncommon Women and Others. This is her second mainstage show. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support. MICHAEL JESKE Richfield Hawksley Michael Jeske is a first year BFA student. Past UWM credits include Gint (Pete Gint in Act 2) and Blood Wedding (Father of the Bride). Other Laughing Stock
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credits outside the BFA include Storyteller theater of Milwaukee’s The Pirates of Penzance (Samuel), Carte Blanche Studios’ (now Theater Unchained) productions of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (Anthony) and Rumors (Lenny Ganz), and the Off-Book Player’s production of Twelfth Night (Sir Andrew). ALISSA KLUEVER – Craig Conlin Alissa Kluever is in her final semester at UW-Milwaukee. This is her third year in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. Previous works include Hurry Up and Wait, The Vagina Monologues, Some Girls, Marisol, and It Was Embarrassing So Don’t Ask. Alissa is also very passionate about improvisation and takes classes at The Second City and ComedySportz. She would like to thank Logan, her friends and her family for all of their love and support. ROBERT KNAPP – Vernon Volker Robert is extremely excited to work on this piece. This will make his 3rd show here at UWM. As a first year in the acting BFA Robert is working hard at his studies, in hopes to pursue a career in acting, television, and music. ALEC LACHMAN – Braun Oakes Alec is extremely happy to be in his 5th production here at UWM. He’s a sophomore here, and 1st year in the BFA acting program. Last semester he played the lead role Aldo in Italian American Reconciliation. He’s extremely excited to perform and work 6
UWM Peck School of the Arts
with such a talented group of people on this hilarious farce! Enjoy! MAGGIE MCGWIN – Susannah Huntsmen Maggie McGwin is in her fourth and final year at UWM, pursuing a BFA in Acting as well as a certificate in Celtic Studies. Previous credits include Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Penelope Project with Sojourn Theatre, A Piece of My Heart, Mr. Marmalade, Independence, Blood Wedding, and Eclipsed with Milwaukee Irish Arts. Maggie has also studied at the Gaiety School of Acting, The National Theatre School of Ireland, in Dublin. Special thanks goes to her family and friends for their constant love, support, and patience. HANNAH MITCHELL – Mary Pierre Hannah Mitchell is in her final semester in the BFA program and can’t wait to graduate in the fall and begin her career. She is excited to be a part of her fourth production here at UWM. Other UWM credits include Uncommon Women and Others, Blood Wedding, and Gint. Hannah hopes you enjoy the show. KIRA RENKAS – Daisy Coates Kira Renkas is extremely pleased to partake in her first production at UW-Milwaukee. Working towards a BFA in Acting, she’ll be graduating in the spring of 2015. Some of her other roles include Laurencia in UWWaukesha’s Fuente Ovejuna, Constance Bonacieux in The Three Musketeers, Madge Larabee in Sherlock Holmes: The Final
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Problem, and Rebel in Columbinus. She’d also like to thank everyone in the cast and crew for making this production a masterpiece! SASHA SIGEL – Sarah McKay Sasha will be graduating in May with a BFA in Acting. Previous acting credits at UWM include Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Blood Wedding, Independence, Mr. Marmalade, A Piece of My Heart, Aimee and Jaguar, and How it is in Heaven. She assistant directed Anton’s Walk at UWM and The Detective’s Wife at Chamber Theatre. Sasha would like to thank her family, friends, and John for their love and support. This will be Sasha’s last
show at UWM and she would like to extend a special thank you to all her professors for their exceptional support and dedication. ALEX VAN ABEL – Gordon Page Alex Van Abel couldn’t have hoped for a better show to finish his UWM career. Past UWM shows include As You Like It, Three Sisters, and Meet Me At The Avant Garde. His future plans include moving out west to act, play music, and get his masters degree in mathematics. Alex would like to thank his family, friends, confidants, teachers, and the cast and crew of Laughing Stock, the funniest and most dedicated team he has ever had the pleasure of working with.
S TAG E M A N AG E M E N T B I O G R A P H I E S Nicole Hageman – Stage Manager Nicole is a Madison born Stage Manager who has worked in the theatre for the last 5 years. Nicole has a degree in Visual Communications, but she came to UW - Milwaukee to strengthen the skills she needs to be a professional Stage Manager. Recently Nicole had Stage Managed for Cooperative Performance Milwaukee’s production of Hamlet this last summer. Nicole would like to dedicate Laughing Stock’s “Hamlet” to Catherine Friesen.
Carissa Selby – Assistant Stage Manager This is Carissa’s 5th show here at UWMilwaukee. Her previous works include Mil-Wonky Style, Ruined, and Into the Woods. She has enjoyed her time here and plans to graduate in May with a BA in theatre with a stage management emphasis.
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PRODUCTION TEA M BIOGR APHIES Robert Boinski is an outgoing senior in his final semester of the Theatre Department’s Technical Production BFA. A graduate of Nathan Hale High School, Robert has worked as a props artisan and master electrician for Laughing Stock. Prior positions include scenic painter and carpenter on Ruined and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. During his time at UWM; Robert has also expanded his skills to work on a number of student film projects. After graduation, Robert plans to pursue a career in Scenic Art, Props, and Special Effects. He would like to extend his thanks to not only the Technical Production Staff at UWM, but also his friends and family for their continued support. Katrina Moondancer Drake is a BFA Technical Production student with a specialty in properties. She’s been fortunate in being involved in UWM productions. A Piece of My Heart, King Lear, and Mil-Wonky Style as a props master. Moondancer had a blast as a properties artisan for Les Liaisons Dangereuses last semester and is excited about her upcoming work as scenic artist for Laughing Stock and Urinetown.
Adam Jermain is a BFA Technical Production student exploring all areas of technical production. He was the assistant scenic designer/draftsman for Laughing Stock, the Assistant Technical Director on Ruined last year and on Urinetown this semester at UWM. He is excited to work on the many skills and abilities required to be an effective communicator and collaborative artist. John Leahy is in his fourth year at UWM pursuing his BFA degree in technical theatre production. He has been involved in numerous facets of production on Main Stage shows such as: Bog of Cats, Lovers’ Quarrels, Last Days of Judas Iscariot, King Lear, Blood Wedding, Ruined, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. He’s also been involved in the Kenilworth Studio shows such as: Stop Kiss, Independence and Anton’s Walk. Last summer he worked at American Players Theatre as a Production Assistant. He is looking forward to returning to APT for their 2014 season.
Cody Sherlowsky is a BFA Technical Production student with an interest in scenery design and construction. He has the luck of being involved in working on Alex Grzybowski is a senior in the BFA Blood Wedding, Ruined and must recently Stage Management program. He is excited Laughing Stock as the Props Master. Cody to be working in the scene shop this was the Assistant Designer on The Nature of semester for Laughing Stock and Urinetown. Mutation prior to joining the technical BFA He currently works at Nicolet High School track. He is stoked about his upcoming and Wauwatosa West High School as a work as properties artisan for Urinetown. technical director. Previously Alex stage managed UWM’s production of Ruined Angela Zylla is a senior BFA Technical and Assistant Stage Managed Les Liaisons Production student specializing in Dangerous. Eventually Alex would like to properties production who will be work in theatre as a production manager. graduating this May. Her education at UWM was highlighted by a semester-long Will Haglund is a BFA Technical Production internship at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre student working in all areas of technical in the prop shop. Currently, she is prop production from building chairs on Blood master on Cementville in the Kenilworth Wedding, building scenery for Ruined, The performance space. Angela is excited to be Tragedy of King Lear, Assistant Technical the prop master on the UWM production Director on Laughing Stock, and worked of Urinetown this semester. sound on Les Liaisons Dangereuses . He was a scenic carpenter on Mil-Wonky Style assisting in building the wall and a large swish just before the show opened. 8
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COSTUME TEA M BIOGR APHIES Jane Anello is a retired orchestra teacher who has found great happiness in joining this merry band of costumers at UWM. Highlights of the last four semesters include The Apron (TH225), The Corset (TH285), The Antony Price Knockoff (TH354) and my first draping assignment for the stage: The Politically Incorrect Wrestling Costume for a lady named Tiger (TH575). Andrew Beyer is a third year BFA Costume Construction Student. Throughout his theatre experience he has worked in every part of the costume shop, from Wardrobe to Costume Shop Manager. He has worked wardrobe for Skylight Music Theatre and Utah Shakespeare Festival. Recently he was the costume designer for Kenilworth production of Cementville. Colby Breyfogle is a Theatre BFA Costume Production student. Having experienced UWM theatre for the first time with last semester’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses, he is excited to be a part of this upcoming season. He also runs wardrobe for The Peck School of the Arts Dance Department. Chen Chen is a senior student majoring in the BFA track in Costume Production at UWM. She is currently doing an internship with Miranda Kay Levy, a fashion designer from season 12 Project Runway, for Miranda’s Return to the Runway Fashion Show at the InterContinental Hotel in Downtown Milwaukee. She has also been working on Cementville in the 508 performance space since the beginning of this semester. She is thrilled to be the draper on both UWM mainstage productions of Laughing Stock and Urinetown later this semester. Olivia Herrera is a senior this year at UWMilwaukee and will be graduating from the Peck School of the Arts with a BFA in Theater Costuming. She has worked on numerous shows like Blood Wedding, The Tragedy of King Lear, and the most recent
Les Liaisons Dangereuses. After college she intends to start her own business here in Milwaukee. Katherine July is a BA Theatre Studies student emphasizing in design; costume construction specifically. This semester she is interning with season 12 Project Runway contestant, Miranda Levy, and is thrilled to be a part of UWM’s production of Cementville and Urinetown. Lyn Kream is a BFA Costume Production Major. Her education at UWM is predicated by a 15 year career in costume design and production, with stage credits including UWM Mainstage productions, Milwaukee Ballet School’s Alice in Wonderland,and Smithereen Production’s presentation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Film credits include 2012 48 Hour Film Festival Best Picture winner Until Death, Kyle Buckley’s Coulrophobia and Flipeleven Creative’s The Nugget. Lyn’s work is also fantastically brought to life by some of Milwaukee’s premier Drag Performers, including Trixie Mattel, Harmony Breeze and Karizma Mirage. Levi Miles is a fourth-year BFA Costume Production student. Levi’s professional work experience includes working at the Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival and Milwaukee’s Skylight Music Theatre. He is excited to be serving as the costume designer for Almost, Maine, a part of the New Directions series in Kenilworth 508 this semester. Clare Richey-Kaplan is a BFA Costume student. She recently completed an internship at the Florentine Opera working on their educational tour. She also works as a dresser for the Florentine (when school schedule allows) and at American Player’s Theater over the summer. She is excited to be working on costumes for Laughing Stock, and is totally over the sub-zero temperatures this winter. Laughing Stock
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Emily Strohmenger is a BFA Costume Construction major. She is excited to be the Assistant Shop Manager for UWM’s Main stage production of Urinetown. She also built costumes for Cementville as well as Laughing Stock. Emily is looking forward to studying theatre in London this summer and for the next two years at UWM. Megan Linsmeier is a BFA Costume Production student. Previous UWM credits include Blood Wedding and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. She has worked as an apprentice for Timothy Westbrook and has studied abroad at the Arts University
of Bournemouth, England for Textile Design. This semester she is staying busy being the costume shop supervisor for UWM’s production of Laughing Stock and designing UWM’s adaption of Cinderella in Kenilworth. Katie Young is in the BFA Costume Production program at UWM. Her latest work has been as a draper in Les Liaisons Dangereuses and as the Costume Designer for Gint last semester. She is very happy to be working this semester in costume crafts for Laughing Stock, and as the Show Supervisor in the costume shop for the UWM Mainstage musical Urinetown.
YOUR UWM
PECK SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
Laughing Stock TICKET STUB IS WORTH
20% off 2625 N. Downer Ave. Milwaukee, WI www.viadowner.com 414.501.4510 10
UWM Peck School of the Arts
One per check. Food only. Valid until March 23rd, 2014 Not combined with any other offer.
C A L E N DA R
Mainstage Series April 30-May 4 Urinetown: The Musical Music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann; Book and lyrics by Greg Kotis; Directed by Tony Horne Tickets: $17 general/$15 seniors, faculty, alumni/$8 students ($5.00 presale) Mainstage Theatre The Arts Center 2400 E.Kenwood Blvd.
LabWorks Feb 28-Mar 2 & Mar 6-9 Cementville By Jane Martin; Directed Michael Cotey April 25-27 & May 1-4 Cinderella: The First 30,000 Years A devised work written by Robin Mello and cast; Directed by Robin Mello Tickets: $10 Kenilworth Studio 508 Kenilworth Square East 1925 E Kenilworth Pl.
Labworks in Community May 7-18 Island of Milwaukee (Times/Locations TBD) A devised work written and directed by Anne Basting; devised by The Sojourn Theatre Company Additional Productions April 3-6 Almost Maine (student-directed production; in Kenilworth 508) By John Cariani; Directed by Emily Rindt Box Office: Phone: (414) 229-4308 Location: Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Please visit our website: arts.uwm.edu
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coming soon to the
ART & DESIGN
free
DANCE
MAR 7-28
MAY 8
Spring MA/MFA Exhibition I
African and Salsa/Merengue Showing
Most Wednesdays
MAY 29-31
Artists Now Lecture Series
Summerdances 2014: Lineage
FILM
free
THEATRE
MAY 2-4
Thru MAR 9
Milwaukee Underground Film Festival
Cementville
MAY 9
APR 25-27
Student Film and Video Festival
Cinderella: The First 30,000 Years
MUSIC
INTER-ARTS
MAR 27-29
APR 30-MAY 4
Unruly Music
Musical Theatre presents Urinetown
MAR 28
MAY 14
Symphony Orchestra
Arts Tech Night - FREE
INOVA
free
KENILWORTH OPEN STUDIOS Sat APR 19 11am-2pm 3 hours + 5 floors art • dance • film • music • theatre
thru MAR 9 Enacting Acting
MAR 19 - MAY 18 Lisa Selby & Benjamin DeMott
more at arts.uwm.edu
arts.uwm.edu/kos
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