Student Stories

What it takes to create a ‘cavalcade’ of quick changes in “Dames at Sea”

Peck School of the Arts’ next theater production “Dames at Sea,” a pastiche on 1930s musicals, opens this Wednesday. The show is notable for its slew of quick changes that give students an experience that reflects professional theater. Throughout the process of preparing costumes for the show, Jason Orlenko and his long-time collaborator Dana Rochester (Teaching Faculty II & Area Head, Costumes & Stage Makeup), alongside their team of student costumers, have experimented with a variety of quick-change materials, including snaps, zippers, and magnets.

Theatre student takes neurodiversity research to national conference

Elizabeth Lappano, a junior studying Theatre Production, has taken her ongoing research project on equity and inclusion in the arts to great heights. She will present her findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2025 in Pittsburgh this April. This is the second consecutive year that Lappano’s research was accepted for the conference. Lappano’s project includes research on famous artists detailing their struggles and triumphs with their neurodivergence diagnosis. The project also interviews current students at PSOA who are living with neurodivergence including actors in the upcoming “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” production, which Lappano’s research is focusing on.

Students take fiber art’s resurgence into a fine art context in current exhibition

The Department of Art & Design is currently hosting Fiber//Form, a two-week-long exhibition of artwork that students have made in fiber courses at PSOA. Fiber art, such as knitting and crocheting, has become increasingly popular recently. However, many are unaware of how fiber art fits into the professional art world. Fiber//Form is a prime example of how PSOA is trying to promote professionally made fiber art.

Art & Design seniors reflect on their work in end of semester exhibitions 

With the Fall semester nearing a close, Art & Design students took one last chance to showcase their most recent work to the campus community. Senior students got to display said work at the DVC Showcase and BA/BFA Exhibition with both events offering a wide array of work born out of thoughtful and diverse creative research.

Music Education student Bridget Koser recognized with Richard G. Gaarder Award

Music Education student, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Bridget Koser was awarded the Richard G. Gaarder Award at the 2024 Wisconsin Music Educators Association conference in Madison. The achievement recognizes excellence in leadership, musicianship, and service to the music education community. 

New showcase celebrates interactive electronic music 

Students enrolled in Interactive Electronic Music classes will perform their final projects live at the third UW-MESS Interactive Electronic Music Showcase. In its early stages at PSOA, the UW-MESS program helps students fulfill an education focused on their passion for electronic music. 

Student musicians focus on positive energy during a busy end to the semester

As the Fall semester winds down, many PSOA students have the opportunity to display their talents in public settings. For student musicians, this comes in the form of a whirlwind of concerts spanning nearly every evening during the final stretch of the semester. With the stress of finals in full swing, now is a time for music students at the Peck School to come together and support one another, reminding themselves and their peers of the power music has to uplift, inspire and foster strong communal relationships.

Panther Pale Ale features artwork by DVC student for a second year

For the second consecutive year, Pilot Project Brewing, in conjunction with Milwaukee Athletics, is set to welcome its Panther beer this week – launched for the 2024-25 season with a new design. The “Panther Pale Ale,” an American pale ale …

Arts ambassador Josh Thone to compete in national vocal competition 

PSOA Theater student and Arts Ambassador Josh Thone is competing this weekend in the American Pops Orchestra (APO) NextGen National Vocal Competition Semi-Finals. 

Thone is one of 25 students competing out of 240 submissions. Viewers can watch Thone’s performance this Sunday, Dec. 1st, and vote virtually for Thone to advance to the live finals.

How the collaborative magic of theatre makes a ship crash on stage

For Peck School of the Arts’ production of “Pericles,” the cast and crew come together to portray the tragedy of a devastating shipwreck and extreme weather through sound and movement. This involves actors creating human scenery and a student sound designer blending practical and digital sounds.

Students join forces with faculty on summer research projects 

Over the summer, PSOA students worked alongside faculty members on paid research projects that provided valuable and engaging hands-on experience. One notable project, “The Brady Street Neighborhood Historical Project,” gave students the opportunity to work on a documentary that highlights one of Milwaukee’s most popular neighborhoods. Research topics ranged from 3D printing to arts installations and more.