SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Shannon Hall at Memorial Union
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WUD PAC focuses on pushing range and diversity in its programming while connecting to students and the broader Madison community.
In addition to planning the Wisconsin Union Theater’s season, WUD PAC programs and produces studentcentered events that take place in the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Play Circle. WUD PAC makes it a priority to connect students to performing artists through educational engagement activities and more.
WUD PAC is part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Leadership and Engagement Program and is central to the Wisconsin Union’s purpose of developing the leaders of tomorrow and creating community in a place where all belong.
no Chikara”:
跫
It appeared on a barren land, rising at dawn, and began walking toward the sun. It crossed fields, mountains, and valleys, passing through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. As the sun set, it lay down, admired the moon, and counted the stars. Born and vanished, vanished and born again, it rises, walks, and keeps walking. What is it striving for? Why does it continue to walk?
The sound of footsteps echoes through the air.
有頂天
This is the pinnacle of the world. Today, I have reached the highest point I have ever known. For now, I will forget everything and celebrate the self that arrived here today. It is incredible. I feel on top of the world. My life is going splendidly … until the wind blows, sweeping me back to the start. When reality hits, fear creeps in, so I will laugh it all off and keep pushing forward. Tomorrow, I will climb even higher.
I am aiming for the very top.
Bodies collide, flesh against flesh. Sound against sound. But what truly clashes are the inner souls. Each body, ignited by a multitude of souls, burns with flames of varied hues. Sparks fly, as vibrant flames clash, pulsing to the rhythm of beating hearts. The flames begin to synchronize with the beats, becoming one, fiercely and beautifully burning. What can be seen within that blazing unity?
The roar of sound resonates.
Voices of odds and ends are heard. Their voices, small and cheerful, play with the day today. There is no grand reason to speak of, no particularly profound cause. These odds and ends serve no specific purpose and are of no use to the world. Yet, there is a spirited desire to express this: There is no trash in this world! Everything, surely, is someone’s treasure!
Little hearts resonate together.
“Odds and ends” is written in kanji as 我 (ga), 楽 (raku), 多 (ta), and translates to “I have fun.” This is a comedic piece using a small instrument called a chappa, not a traditional Japanese drum.
Once I am resolved, I pursue my goal without diversion. I press on with unwavering determination, embodying stubborn persistence. An unbendable belief, once so steadfast, twists and bends under various temptations. My strong will and resolve sometimes fade, becoming nearly invisible. Even today, struggling not to succumb to defeat, I continue to battle with myself. I live with a clear mind and straight purpose.
Just keep drumming!
Born into this world as a human, carrying a passion that endures as long as life persists. The fervor that burns in the hearts of all who live in the present moment. Now is the time to raise that passion high. With the flame of this fervor, illuminate the darkness and forge ahead on the path that lies before us. Let us raise our voices and thrust our fists skyward. The heart, an engine beating strongly within, sends energy to both body and spirit. Hearts dance with the joy of shared smiles.
O flame of passion, illuminate the world and its people.
爛爛
A glowing light within the heart, a brilliance shining deep in the eyes. Quietly present, clearly existing, unyielding to any force that may come. Close the eyes to behold it. With resolve, lift your face, and in that moment of opening your eyes, light bursts forth from within. A flash of brilliance carves out the path that must be followed.
Let us proceed without hesitation.
輩
Not knowing when one transitions from child to adult. No matter how old we grow, we can never fully become adults. Dreams, hopes, ambitions, and desires. Repeatedly swinging between joy and sorrow. Let us cherish the innocent and pure parts within each other, embracing and supporting one another. Let us stand together, sweating and shedding tears, once more.
Grimly determined.
楽打
Raku-da is a coined term combining the kanji for “fun” (楽, raku) and the kanji for “to drum” (打, da). The sound of the term evokes the image of a camel in Japanese. It conveys a sense of the camel’s whimsical demeanor, wandering through the endless desert. Raku-da represents “drumming with joy,” and this song embodies that spirit. It is considered one of the representative pieces of YAMATO, the group traveling through an endless world with this music.
YAMATO is a Japanese taiko drumming group based in Asuka-mura Nara Prefecture, which is well known by Japanese people as the hometown of Japan. The group calls itself YAMATO, the taiko drumming group that travels all over the world. It has brought more than 4,500 shows to 54 countries around the world since its formation in 1993.
YAMATO’s taiko work cannot be fully described by the word “performance.” The group has performed in theaters and schools and even held workshops and taiko lessons. This year, they divide their time between a tour of Japan and a world tour. Their motto is, “We go everywhere when somebody needs YAMATO, bringing energy to the people living in the world!”
YAMATO performs with more than 40 taiko drums with different characters. The largest drum, for example, called “Odaiko,” was made from a huge tree that’s more than 400 years old. It is approximately two meters in diameter and weighs 500 kg. Each taiko drum is a different size and makes a different sound.
The members of the group have trained their bodies to beat these massive taiko drums. The acoustic pressure far surpasses what one could imagine. They do not simply make their drums explode with sound; they also produce delicate music that provides the listener with a palette of meticulously crafted sound. This is why YAMATO’s acclaimed original performances are known as “physical music,” and continue to receive acclaim all over the world. YAMATO is sometimes intense, sometimes sad, sometimes comforting, and sometimes comical.
The audience is more than a group of bystanders at these performances. Engulfed in the sound of the taiko, they become one with the performers. All types of people gather around the sound of the taiko, interweaving their lives, and feeling the power of each other’s inner passion and heart. They come together to create a moment that feels truly alive.
The 2025 World Tour was made possible in part thanks to the generous support of:
Anonymous
Robin Axel & Jacob Axel
Mohamed Bacchus
Martin Baggott & Jennine Baggott
Jeanne Bell & Robert Bell
Diane Bless
Brian Boegel & Miriam Boegel
Cassandra Book
Marion Brown
Alec Bukowiec
Daniel Burrell Jr & Jenice Burrell
Peggy Chane
Lau & Bea Christensen
Diane Kostecke & Nancy Ciezki
Christine Schindler & Charles Cohen
Janet Cohen & Neal Cohen
Mary Crosby
David Cross
George Cutlip
Dane County
Joseph Davis III & Wendy Davis
Cathleen Dettmann & Mark Dettmann
David Cooper & Kelly Dehaven
Susan Dibbell
Elizabeth Douma
James Doyle Jr & Jessica Doyle
Rae Erdahl
Michael Brody & Elizabeth Ester
Jon Fadness
Deborah Fairchild
Hildy Feen
Carol Fritsche & Jeffrey Fritsche
Deirdre Garton
Neil Geminder & Joan Geminder
Michelle Gregoire & Tim Gregoire
Laura Guse & Berkley Guse
Amy Guthier & Mark Guthier
Kristine Hallisy
Sophie Van Haren & Adam Van Haren
Joel Heiman & Nicole Heiman
Brent Helt
Michael Hertting
Seth Hoff
Matthew Huston
Kelly Kahl & Kimberly Kahl
Elisabeth Kasdorf
Evelyn Keaton
Vincent Kenney & Tiffany Kenney
Kate Kingery
M Thomas Record Jr & Voula Kodoyianni
Daniel Koehn & Mark Koehn
Mary Kramer
Kathryn Krieg
Seth Dailey & Iris Kurman
Ian Rosenberg & Caroline Laskow
Sandra Lee & Jun Lee
Caryn Lesser & Max Lesser
Carolyn Liebhauser & Kevin Liebhauser
Jonathan Lipp & Susan Lipp
Edward Manuel & Marian Holton-Manuel
Shibani Munshi
Eric Nathan
William Ney & Glenda NoelNey
Daniel Van Note
Eugenia Ogden & Mitchell Nussbaum
Douglas Mackaman & Margaret O'Hara
Ryan Overstreet & Marilyn Overstreet
Charles Leadholm & Jeanne Parus
David Pausch
Robert Pepper & Linda Pepper
Kato Perlman
Lisa Pfaff
Karen Pridham
Todd Pulvino & Kathleen Pulvino
John Miller & Lori Reesor
Mark Reischel & Angela Reischel
Sarah Riffle
Kristi Ross-Clausen
Sharon Rouse
Lauren Cnare & Ralph Russo
Peter Ryan
Morgan Sachs
J Gail Meyst Sahney & Vinod Sahney
Beth Schaffer & Steven Schaffer
Carol Schroeder & Dean Schroeder
Don Schutt Jr & Sarah Schutt
Charles Simon
André De Shields
Margaret Shields
Thomas Smith
Elizabeth Snodgrass
Polly Snodgrass
Lynn Stathas
Ana Stephens & Jason Stephens
Jonathan Stenger
Andrew & Erika Stevens
Barbara Susman & Millard Susman
Thompson Investment Management
Elton Waack
Shane Wealti
Patricia Kugler Whitely & George Whitely
Kathleen Williams
Janell Wise
Debbie Wong
Donors as of August 31, 2024
THE ACTING COMPANY
AUGUST WILSON ’ S TWO TRAINS
RUNNING
Wednesday, March 19
7:30 PM
Shannon Hall at Memorial Union Theater
Thursday, April 3
7:30 PM
Shannon Hall at Memorial Union Classical
ROOMFUL OF TEETH
Wednesday, April 9
7:30 PM
Shannon Hall at Memorial Union Classical
WISCONSIN UNION THEATER
Elizabeth Snodgrass, Director
Kate Schwartz, Artist Services Manager
George Hommowun, Director of Theater Event Operations
Zane Enloe, Production Manager
Jeff Macheel, Technical Director
Heather Macheel, Technical Director
Jack Nikolay, Lead House Manager
Sean Danner, Box Office Manager
Will Griffin, Ticketing and Web Systems Administrator
Rex Nario, Administrative Assistant
WISCONSIN UNION DIRECTORATE PERFORMING ARTS COMMITTEE
Nazeeha Rahman, Director
Diya Abbas, Programming Associate Director
Valeria Rodrigo Rojas, Programming Associate Director
Bri Bernard, Marketing Associate Director
Eric Henkes, External Relations Associate Director
Devon Smith, Media & Membership Recruitment Associate Director