Student Stories

Graduating seniors share powerful stories through movement in New Dancemakers

New Dancemakers is a senior capstone project in which eleven graduating students research and choreograph a dance performance representative of what they have learned during their time at the Peck School of the Arts. Students spend months focusing on a research topic of their choosing, often utilizing historical documentation and connecting with community members. We talked with three senior choreographers to learn more about their process.

Spooky senior films to watch this Halloween season 

Between costumes and candy, many celebrate the Halloween season by watching horror movies. Throughout the years, many students’ senior thesis films have had spooky undertones, making them perfect to rewatch this time of year. Kelly Kirshtner (Associate Professor, Film) and …

New students share what they look forward to at PSOA

PSOA welcomed incoming and returning students by hosting their annual fall student welcome event, offering a fun afternoon filled with activities like live student performances, photo ops, a networking fair, and free pizza.  The fall welcome event gives incoming students the opportunity to see all that PSOA has to offer and helps them …

Guitar students and alumni shine on international stages 

The Peck School of the Arts guitar program is recognized for its distinguished faculty and the achievements of its students and alumni. Led by internationally renowned artist René Izquierdo, the program continues to produce musicians who thrive on competitive stages around the world. We recap several summer successes from students and alumni.

Dance MFA Students Turn Research into Performance 

UpStart is an experimental project choreographed, researched, and performed by Dance MFA students at the Peck School of the Arts. Each performance reflects deeply personal themes and self-exploration by the individual artists. Led by dance professor and graduate program director Maria Gillespie, the project features eight first- and second-year MFA students, each taking a unique approach to their work. The performances also include dancers from both UWM and the Milwaukee dance community.

PSOA Convocation is a celebration of artists and arts advocates

PSOA ended its 2025 school year by hosting Convocation, a ceremony held to celebrate Peck School of the Arts graduates receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The ceremony featured live performances and showcases from each department, spotlighting what students have accomplished …

Original dance by senior PSOA student selected for ACDA national conference 

Senior dance student Megan Holzhauer visited Washington, DC, to present her original choreographic work, “BEHIND THAT GLEAM,” at the 2025 National College Dance Festival hosted by the American College Dance Association (ACDA). Held every two years, the festival showcases the nation’s …

UWM hosts Spring 2025 Senior Screenings at the Union Cinema

After a year of work, graduating students in the Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres will screen their senior thesis films on the big screen to crowds of family, friends, faculty and fellow students. The annual event is …

Complex staging brings “Curious Incident” to life for PSOA Theatre Department’s season closer

The Peck School’s 2024-25 theatre season ends this week with “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a critically acclaimed Tony and Olivier Award-winning play. Directed by Ralph Janes, the production integrates advanced technical elements, including suspended televisions, surrounding projection screens, live body-camera feeds and a thrust stage cleverly transformed into an in-the-round configuration.