Inspired by their mentor, classical guitar alumni return to teach at their alma mater

Headshots of Kevin Loh and Chandler Dillingham

Recent classical guitar alums Kevin Loh ‘25 and Chandler Dillingham ‘25 have taken the next steps in their careers by returning to teach at their alma mater. Loh and Dillingham both discovered a passion for music education while studying under mentor René Izquierdo.

“It’s a great honor for any teacher to see their students succeed; I think it’s the dream of every teacher to be surpassed by their students,” Izquierdo said. “Kevin and Chandler are a wonderful addition to the Guitar Studio. I see them work hard with their students; I’ve seen them work hard since the beginning.”

Kevin Loh knew he wanted to study at PSOA after meeting Izquierdo at the Iserlohn Festival in 2014. Originally from Singapore, Loh studied classical guitar around the world before coming to Milwaukee in 2022 to pursue his master’s. He has built an international reputation through performances at major festivals and competitions.

“After meeting Rene, it became a question of not ‘if’ I would study under him in Milwaukee, but ‘when’ I would,” Loh recalls.

During his time in the Guitar Studio, Loh formed close connections with peers and now brings that experience into his teaching. Although he’s a lecturer, he continues to view his students as fellow musicians, collaborators, and friends.

“One of the distinguishing factors for me is the atmosphere at the guitar studio,” said Loh. “Everyone here feels like family.”

Chandler Dillingham came to UWM in 2022 to pursue a dual master’s degree, earning an MM in Classical Guitar and an MM in Music History & Literature. He takes a holistic approach to education, incorporating his background in musicology and theory into his lessons.

“Deep down, I think teaching is my greatest passion,” Dillingham said. “To be able to shape the hands and shape approaches to performance has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career so far.”

For Dillingham, performing is also about sharing the historical and cultural significance behind the music. Helping audiences understand the impact of classical guitar is central to his work.

“A part of my concerts is dedicated to helping my audience understand—even just briefly—what the music is about, why I’m playing it for them, why it matters to the concert, and why it’s important in history,” he explained. “I think my ultimate goal as a performer is to help people appreciate music more through a variety of avenues, and that comes through the playing itself.”

“I think the addition of Chandler and Kevin to the faculty will improve the program as a whole,” Izquierdo said. “They have been very dedicated and focused on music from early on in their lives and were lucky enough to find their calling.”

Payton Murphy (BFA Film, ’27)

UWM alum and multi-disciplinary artist displays work at Chicago art gallery 

A painting by Miller depicting a landscape and a cloudy sky. The land is a mixture of green, oranges, yellows, reds, and purples in swirly formations making up hills. The sky is a pale blue and has two clouds. The clouds are made of swirls and feature whites, yellows, purples, pinks, and oranges.

UWM alum and multi-disciplinary artist Michael J Miller (BFA 1987, Art; MA 1991, Art) is currently displaying his work at SoNa Chicago, a venue for contemporary art. A lifelong artist, Miller’s recent exhibition focuses on his life as an artist, how he has changed over time, and how this shapes his worldview.  

In the announcement published by Chicago Gallery News, Miller reflects on his practice, encompassing mediums like woodworking, painting, drawing, and music.

“I have been very fortunate that much of my working life has been spent creatively in the service of, and alongside many other amazing and talented individuals,” Miller said. “As a woodworker and furniture builder, an art instructor, or as an exhibition designer/builder, creating and installing exhibitions for museums and galleries, I have had the opportunity to share ideas, problem solve countless issues, and explore a multitude of materials, all while expanding personal horizons of art making.” 

To read the full announcement, visit Chicago Gallery News.  

Graduating seniors share powerful stories through movement in New Dancemakers

Headshots of three choreographers

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.

Headshot of Brooke Allison Parkinson
Brooke Allison Parkinson

Brooke Allison Parkinson is a double major graduating with degrees in dance and American Sign Language. Parkinson wanted to make a statement about accessibility in dance and how it relates to Deaf culture in her piece, Open Your Eyes.

“My piece is really exploring how hearing individuals can be allies to the deaf community via listening to their needs and wants and immersing ourselves in the culture so we can meet halfway,” Parkinson explained. “It’s an educational piece and an enlightening piece to share the deaf perspective and their stories.”

As part of their ASL degree, Parkinson spent time with residents of Water Tower View, a senior housing complex for the deaf and hard of hearing. During that time, they were moved by residents’ stories.

“For this project, I asked some of the residents if they would be comfortable being interviewed,” Parkinson said. “The recordings of the interviews will be projected on stage with the dancers so their performance can give depth to the residents’ perspective.”

Headshot of Maia Rose Correia-Fill
Maia Rose Correia-Fill

Maia Rose Correia-Fill is completing a BFA in dance performance and choreography. Her piece centers on the use of artificial intelligence and how technology can be used in the dance field.

“Last semester, I went to a dance conference and attended a workshop called Chero-GTP, which was about how to use ChatGPT to come up with choreographic scores,” Correia-Fill said. “It’s where I first got my idea for my senior project.”

Correia-Fill began her research on campus in collaboration with the UWM Connected Systems Institute, one of two AI research labs in the United States. As part of an R1 university, she was able to utilize resources within and beyond PSOA, exploring topics related to AI development and dance composition.

“I hope that my project will get the audience to think about the impact that AI systems have on their community,” Correia-Fill said.

Headshot of Lina Conchi
Lina Conchi

Lina Conchi’s piece, the birds (of color) have to fly, takes audiences through the experiences of a Mexican American immigrant family spanning three generations.

“It portrays what living life is like being discriminated against and facing racism. Throughout this piece, each generation has a moment where they face what is happening,” Conchi said. “I found myself drawing parallels between birds and humans. The central idea of this piece is about people trying to find a better place, a place like home.”

When Conchi began her studies at PSOA, her main form of dance was Ballet Folklorico, a form of Mexican folk dance rooted in Indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures.

Over time, she began incorporating elements of ballet, African diasporic movement, modern, and contemporary dance into her practice. In addition to her evolving style, Conchi was inspired by stories of hardship shared by her older relatives.

“Both sides of my family are full of immigrants. My grandma and grandpa on my mother’s side were immigrants in their own land as Indigenous Mexican people, and my father is from near the Gulf of Mexico,” said Conchi.

“Seeing and hearing their stories inspired me to make this piece, and I hope I am able to truly tell my story to the audience.”

New Dancemakers runs November 19–22 at Mitchell Hall Studio 254. Tickets and more information are available at the PSOA Events Calendar.

Story by Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)

By researching commedia dell’arte, students rediscover what makes us laugh in Scapino!

Actors in costumes perform in a scene of Scapino.

With bold characters, physical comedy, and a vibrant 1980s setting, the Peck School’s production of “Scapino!” offers a lively reimagining of the classic French farce “Scapin the Schemer” by Molière. The new staging honors commedia dell’arte while exploring what makes its humor resonate today.

The director behind “Scapino!” is Ralph Janes, whose vision for the production leans heavily into slapstick humor, rehearsed improvisation, and exaggerated expressions—all hallmarks of the early form of theatre.

Janes focused on preserving the roots of commedia dell’arte, even as some of the original themes and jokes feel dated today.

“We ask ourselves as a teaching institution: Does the commedia form still work, or can it still work,” Janes asked. “Can these stock characters, which we all recognize—the old man, the young lovers, the servants that get the better of their situations—be funny still in contemporary time?”

The cast spent time discussing what is considered appropriate and funny across different generations and cultures.

“I’m older than most of our actors, and I come from a different country. So, I had to ask my cast if the things I found funny were the things they found funny,” Janes explained. “We had lots of discussion about our favorite shows and what cartoons we found funny in order to find fertile ground and understand what it means to be funny in today’s age.”

Headshot of Hagertson
Mikael Hagerstrand

While preparing for his performance, senior Mikael Hagerstrand focused on how humor can connect across generations.

“Throughout the summer, we looked at a lot of different commedia dell’arte and comedy pieces and compiled them,” Hagerstrand explained.

“To build up the rehearsal space, we worked with lots of different bits and used that to connect with each other as individuals.”

Natalie Gustafson, also a senior, plays the role of Giacinta, a newlywed whose ideal romance is interrupted by family turmoil.

Headshot of Gustafson
Natalie Gustafson

Her favorite part of the production has been the thought and effort that went into building the world. Vintage costumes and elaborate set designs help bring “Scapino” to life, and she’s excited for audiences to experience them.

“I hope that people will have a good time,” Gustafson said. “I’ve been working on this show for two months now, and I still have fun every day. I hope the audience sees that.”

“Scapino!” runs through Nov 23 at the UWM Mainstage Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit the PSOA Events Calendar.

Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)

UWM alum Trixie Mattel featured speaker at UW-Madison Event 

Trixie Mattel, wearing a long sleeve and floor length pink sequin dress with dramatic makeup and blown out hair, holds a microphone and sits on a beige armchair on stage. Across from her sits Professor Ramzi Fawaz, who also holds a microphone and is sitting on a beige chair. He is wearing a long, orange Corduroy coat with a green collar, blue corduroy pants with a tie-dye orange pattern, and purple and orange sneakers.

Brian Firkus (BFA 2012, Theatre), also known as drag artist and multimedia personality Trixie Mattel, was featured in an article by Isthmus covering her recent appearance at UW-Madison. 

Mattel participated in an open Q&A panel focused on queer identity and history, where she shared personal experiences, connected with attendees, and reflected on Wisconsin’s longstanding queer community. 

“I just really think the younger people have, like, the magic, and they’re the most important thing,” Mattel said during the discussion. “I literally was a college student in Wisconsin from a small town in Wisconsin. I envisioned this the whole time…” 

To read the full article, visit Isthmus.  

Sophomore music student wins multiple awards from the National Association of Teachers of Singing 

Akira Harris (Sophomore BFA, Versatile Voice) was awarded at the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Harris won first place for the Classical Music category and second in the Commercial Music category.  

Jesse Malmed celebrates a decade of Western Pole with Chicago exhibition

Assistant Professor Jesse Malmed (Film, Video, Animation and New Genres) marks ten years of his Chicago-based project Western Pole with the exhibition POST POST POST: A Decade of Western Pole at Patient Info, Chicago. Since 2015, Malmed has featured more than 300 artists through 8.5×11 works posted on a pole along Western Avenue. The anniversary show brings together two dozen artists presenting sculpture, video, drawing, and performance. POST POST POST runs November 8–December 13, 2025, with performances and a publication release closing the exhibition.

UWM lecturer’s short film explores Milwaukee’s Chinese immigrant history 

Professor Yinan Wang bundled up in a gray winter jacker, blue scarf, blue hat, and clear glasses against a city street in the daytime

Yinan Wang’s (Lecturer, FVANG) short film “From Section 48 to King Drive” explores Milwaukee’s “Chinese Laundry Era,” a time period starting in the late 1880s, when Chinese immigrants began opening laundry mats across the city. The film is inspired by the designation of a new state historical marker located at the YWCA, honoring the spot as one of the last laundries of this time.  

In the WUWM article written by Eddie Morales, Wang speaks on the research behind the film and the importance of capturing these stories. 

“I am an immigrant myself, so I feel like there is some sort of a connection,” Wang said. “I feel like that connection is very strong even though we live apart by maybe 100 years, but I still feel them. So that’s why I really wanted to make this film.” 

To read the full article, visit WUWM.  

UWM stage manager sets the stage for student success

Lillian Hayward stands in front of the UWM Mainstage Theatre with hands on hips.

The job of stage manager is considered one of the most challenging roles in theater. Lillian Hayward, a theatre production major with an emphasis in stage management, knows this well. From running rehearsals to facilitating communication between the director and the actors, Hayward has to do a little bit of everything as a stage manager.

“Stage managers are expected to know things before they happen,” she explained. But for her, the challenge comes naturally. “I love getting my hands in every pot and understanding the pace of theatre from every angle.”

Hayward has truly gotten the full 360-degree view of theater and stage management at UW-Milwaukee — not just in campus productions, like “Macbeth” and “Pericles,” but in other projects, too. She did undergraduate research work in dramaturgy, diving into the historical setting and other context for the play “The Moors,” which is set in the 1840s. She also studied abroad in Paris and England and even worked as a production assistant for Season 21 of “Top Chef.”

But as Hayward focuses on what comes after graduation (a role as production assistant for the American Players Theatre), she’s also set the stage for future UWM students to find success in theater.

Concessions that pay it forward

Since Hayward began at UWM, she’s been part of five stage management teams at the Peck School of the Arts: three times as assistant stage manager and twice as stage manager. But off-stage, she realized there was something fundamental missing from UWM’s theater performances. In her sophomore year, Hayward launched a concessions program for UWM productions to raise money for the department — and keep theatergoers satisfied. “It’s standard for professional theaters to have concessions at their shows; I wanted UWM to have that, too,” Hayward explained.

So far, the concessions program has raised nearly $4,000, which the department uses to fund scholarships for students to attend workshops at the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The fund also provides snacks and refreshments to student actors and tech teams during long rehearsals.

Theater that inspires

Hayward interned on stage management teams for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and Renaissance Theaterworks. Her courses and campus work experience, she says, prepared her to work in professional theater productions. But she especially credits Ralph Janes, the UWM theater professor who mentored her, for her personal and professional growth. Along with supporting Hayward in her classes and launching the concessions program, Janes took extra time to help her find internships in Milwaukee.

“It means the world to me that he believes in me,” Hayward said. “He really balances being a mentor and treating me as a colleague with skills and abilities to work in the professional field.”

Hayward sees her future in stage management as one that will make a difference in the world through art. She recalls working as a stage manager for the last stage show she managed at UWM, “Pericles,” a story about a prince on a journey of shipwrecks, lost love and reunions.

Before the first night, Hayward delivered a speech to the actors and production team. “I told them all, ‘We’re so lucky to get to create art that inspires people that life goes on, even during hard times. It’s our responsibility to tell these stories of hope.’”

Story by Ashley Abramson | Explore more in Make New Waves

Playwright collaborates with theatre students to shape new play in advance of its world premiere

Two actors face each other holding hands in a dimly lit theater.

In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom follows a group of teenagers who meet in secret to learn about music amid a hundred-year government ban. Created by playwright and theatre professor Alvaro Saar Rios, the world premiere production is presented as part of the UWM Department of Theatre’s New Dramaworks series.

As a teenager, Saar Rios discovered a love for music that would later shape his identity and art. The idea for this play emerged when he asked what might have happened if he had never found that passion and what an absence of music would look like on a larger scale.

Saar Rios began writing what would become In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom in 2019.

“Most of my ideas start with ‘What if?’” Saar Rios explained. “Part of it came from my love of music, but then to see if I could create a piece that celebrated music even though it didn’t exist in this world.”

Curated by Saar Rios, the New Dramaworks series brings together students from various theatre disciplines to collaborate throughout the new play development process, shaping a piece through their experiences and ideas.

“The idea behind the New Dramaworks series is to be able to give students the opportunity to work on a new play,” said Saar Rios. “We want to allow students the opportunity to see what it means to work on a play that is not particularly finished.”

Following the collaboration with students, In Darkness is set to be produced at four more theatre companies—and counting—across the United States.

Director Katie Avila Loughmiller brings her background in multidisciplinary art and activism to the production. From the beginning, she asked students to explore the story’s themes and consider how they reflect the world today.

“We started by diving into the script and asking ourselves what the story was about and how it is relevant to today,” Avila Loughmiller explained.

A major focus of her approach is community building. Under her direction, each performance features a partnership with a different nonprofit organization, in hopes that audiences will be inspired to take action.

“I hope people come to see this show and think about what it means,” said Avila Loughmiller. “I want people to think about what it means, what we could be doing, and how we can work against these forces.”

In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom runs through November 9, 2025, at Kenilworth Five-0-Eight. For more information and tickets, visit the PSOA events calendar.

Story by Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film) | Video by Cameron Wise ’26 (BFA Film)

UWM alum and his wife open physical media store in Chicago 

Kommanivanh smiles while wearing a blue sweater and holding a vinyl record. The vinyl's art word is light blue, navy blue, teal, and gold paint strokes over a black background. He is holding the vinyl over a row of records and infront of a wall filled with rows of records and record displays.

UWM alum Chantala Kommanivanh (MFA 2013, Art) and his wife, Mallory McClaire, are the proud owners of Beverly Phono Mart, a vinyl and physical media shop that doubles as a community space. Located in Chicago’s South Side, BPM serves to foster art among Chicagoans after many similar spaces closed during the pandemic.   

The Southwest Regional Publishing article written by Kelly White explains that Kommanivanh and McClaire opened BPM in August 2021, and since then have offered a space for community members to explore the arts.  

“For Chantala, opening a business in Beverly was about more than vinyl,” explained White in her article. “A firm believer in supporting the community you live in, he saw the neighborhood’s walkability and small-town feel as the perfect fit.” 

To read the full article, visit Southwest Regional Publishing.  

Art education alum recognized nationally for impact in skilled trades education 

Mike holds an oversized check above his head in a classroom surrounded by students.

Mike Driscoll (BFA 2006; MS 2020, Art Education), a Peck School of the Arts alum and teacher at Bay View High School, has been named one of five national recipients of the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The award includes $100,000 to support Driscoll’s continued impact on students through hands-on learning and skilled trades education. 

Mike Driscoll
Mike Driscoll

After earning his undergraduate degree from UWM, Driscoll worked as a graphic designer for many years. When the economy shifted, he decided to pursue teaching and began leading art classes at a high school in Grafton. 

When budget cuts eliminated his position, Driscoll turned to one of his mentors, Dr. Kim Cosier (Professor Emerita, Art Education), for guidance. 

“I found myself homeless, and I didn’t know where to go. This was the only teaching job I had ever applied for,” Driscoll recalls. “I reached out to Kim Cosier, and she said, ‘Have you ever thought about going to grad school?’” 

With Cosier’s encouragement, Driscoll returned to UWM to pursue his master’s degree in art education, an experience that reconnected him with the classroom and the community of educators who had supported his undergraduate studies. 

During his graduate program, Driscoll taught courses at UWM, including labs for ART 118, Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice. Working alongside former Senior Lecturer and current Director of Technology at Islands of Brilliance, Christopher Willey, Driscoll helped redesign the class curriculum, which is still partially used today.  

When Driscoll got his current job at Bay View High School, he worked with the university to teach a dual enrollment version of the class, extending UWM’s influence in digital arts education.  

“I think helping develop a college curriculum had a huge impact on the way I view teaching,” said Driscoll. “When I got to Bay View, I continued to teach 118 for a number of years.”  

Mike smiles in a classroom helping his students.
With the $100,000 prize from Harbor Freight Tools, Driscoll plans to expand Bay View High School’s makerspace and enhance its engineering program, while also providing additional resources for educators leading creative and technical programs in the community. | Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Public Schools

Today, Driscoll leads several programs at Bay View High, including video technology, design, and engineering classes that connect students with CAD modeling, production workflows, and experiences with trades tools and techniques. 

He continues to work with PSOA faculty and alumni, including Cosier and Emily Berens (MFA 2013, Interdisciplinary Media), through community programs like the Milwaukee Visionaries Project, which gives middle and high school students the chance to experiment with film and animation. 

Driscoll plans to expand Bay View High’s makerspace and enhance its engineering program, while also providing additional resources for educators leading creative and technical programs in the community. 

From two-time PSOA student to award-winning educator, Driscoll’s path reflects the power of perseverance and mentorship in shaping meaningful careers in the arts. His work continues to highlight the connection between art, technology, and the trades. 

“I am very grateful for Harbor Freight and the opportunities they gave me. I feel like this is shining a light on my school and the Milwaukee Public School System as a whole,” said Driscoll. “The community is noticing.” 

Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)

Spooky senior films to watch this Halloween season 

A young woman stands next to a closed door and is lit by green light

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 a horror film aficionado commented on the draw of scary cinema and its intertwinement with the holiday.

“You look around the neighborhoods and there’s a lot of nods to horror characters, and depending on the kind of horror people like, it’s a great time to come together as a community.”

Man rests his hand on his head while looking hopelessely at the text on a computer screen
Still from “Mindframe” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film)
A scientist looks to his assistant to explain their experiment while the computer screen glows
Still from “Mindframe” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film)
The light of the computer casts a scientist's shadow on the wall behind him.
Still from “Mindframe” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film)
Man is illuminated a sphere of lighting, separating him from the black background
Still from “Mindframe” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film)
Assistant gets frusterated while looking at the computer screen
Still from “Mindframe” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film)

Mindframe (Fall 2024)

“Mindframe” is a psychological thriller directed by Kiersten Hoff (BFA 2024, Film). Inspired by their love for the mad science genre, the story follows a young man whose reality begins to unravel after becoming involved in a twisted science experiment. 

Recently, Hoff has been touring “Mindframe” at film festivals across Wisconsin and Illinois, often earning the designation of best in show. The creamy black and white visuals combined with lead actor Gage McNew’s chilling performance, “Mindframe” is a must-see for the Halloween season. 

“My film is spooky,” Hoff said. “There’s brains and mad science and a computer. Someone dies, but I’m not going to tell you who. The ending of the film is hopeless and suspenseful.” 

Two people look upwards while being cast in dark blue light
Still from “Curse of the Creeper” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film) and Zach Cowell (BFA 2024, Film)
A witch looms over two people
Still from “Curse of the Creeper” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film) and Zach Cowell (BFA 2024, Film)
Close up of the witch from Curse of the Creeper
Still from “Curse of the Creeper” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film) and Zach Cowell (BFA 2024, Film)
The witch points off to the left of the screen, drenched in blue light
Still from “Curse of the Creeper” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film) and Zach Cowell (BFA 2024, Film)
A witch looms to the left of the screen with a large pair of scissors
Still from “Curse of the Creeper” by Max Buzecky (BFA 2024, Film) and Zach Cowell (BFA 2024, Film)

Curse of the Creeper (Spring 2024)

“Curse of the Creeper” by Henry Stollenwerk (BFA 2024, Film) is a campy horror adventure following the exploits of two amateur witches after summoning a demon named Creepy Greg and their journey to send the demon back to where it came from. The draw of the film is its aesthetics and production design, emphasizing the comedy in its creep factor and its references to classical stereotypes within the monster genre.  

“I don’t really think it’s designed to scare people but for people to have fun with it. Its spookiness is much more in the production design, makeup, and costuming,” said Stollenwerk. “Creepy Greg is very evocative of your classic and stereotypical, green-skinned hag.” 

A man and a woman stand opposite of eachother infront of string lights
Still from “Stomach Bug” by Jacob Anderson (BFA 2025, Film)
A man opens his shirt in front of a mirror revealing a large crevice in his chest
Still from “Stomach Bug” by Jacob Anderson (BFA 2025, Film)
A young woman stands next to a closed door and is lit by green light
Still from “Stomach Bug” by Jacob Anderson (BFA 2025, Film)
A parasitic creature looms in dark red light
Still from “Stomach Bug” by Jacob Anderson (BFA 2025, Film)
A parasite peaks out between the folds of a mans jacket
Still from “Stomach Bug” by Jacob Anderson (BFA 2025, Film)
A man looks dramatically to the left while being cast in red and green light
Still from “Stomach Bug” by Jacob Anderson (BFA 2025, Film)

Stomach Bug (Spring 2025)

“Stomach Bug” is a dark romcom created by Maxwell Lambert (BFA 2025, Film). The story centers on a young man who tries to navigate the dating scene while having to tend to a parasite with a taste for human flesh that inhabits his body. Lambert’s film features amazing special effects and puppetry, with knockout moments leaving you on the edge of your seat.  

“I thought about spookiness when I was making it,” Lambert said. “I was really trying to play with tropes and visual references. I was trying to play with horror iconography reminiscent of Lucio Fulci.” 

A man looks listlessly to others in a dimly lit room
Still from “Satanic Panic” by Eetae Jung (BFA 2025, Film)
A cloaked man looks to a man dressed in a cape over a privacy screen
Still from “Satanic Panic” by Eetae Jung (BFA 2025, Film)
Lead actors and crew play with dice between takes
Behind the scenes of “Satanic Panic” | Photo by Payton Murphy (BFA 2027, Film)
The crew helps an actor bind his hands together as the prepare to film the next scene
Behind the scenes of “Satanic Panic” | Photo by Payton Murphy (BFA 2027, Film)
Actors chat around a table while the crew sets up equipment
Behind the scenes of “Satanic Panic” | Photo by Payton Murphy (BFA 2027, Film)
Cloaked man in renisance garb speaks
Still from “Satanic Panic” by Eetae Jung (BFA 2025, Film)
A man smiles nafariously while turing to talk to the man in a green cloack
Still from Satanic Panic by Eetae Jung (BFA 2025, Film)

Satanic Panic (Spring 2025)

Nathan Boedecker’s (BFA 2025, Film) “Satanic Panic” is a story about a Dungeons and Dragons campaign gone wrong, introducing its main character to the occult and the supernatural. With his love of the tabletop role-playing game, Boedecker always knew he wanted his senior thesis film to be inspired by D&D. He credits PSOA’s advanced improv class, taught by Alan Guszkowski ’04, for introducing him to the people who would later act in and help produce his film. 

“It was just a lot of fun being on set and coming up with new ideas,” Boedecker said. “A lot of the people working on the film are also nerds. It was just a lot of hanging out.” 

You can watch even more senior films, including spooky ones, by visiting the Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres Vimeo page.

Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)

Sheri Williams Pannell to direct milestone production of Black Nativity

Black Nativity 2025 promotional graphic

Associate Professor of Theatre Sheri Williams Pannell is directing the 10th-anniversary production of “Black Nativity” in collaboration with Black Arts MKE, as reported by TMJ4. Williams Pannell is co-founder and producing artistic director of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, the professional theatre company in residence at Black Arts MKE in the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Black Nativity, a classic that celebrates the holiday season from the African-American perspective, is produced annually by Black Arts MKE to showcase Milwaukee’s emerging talent and spotlight local favorites.

Read the article on TMJ4.

Kyle Khembunjong earns second prize at the M.E. Brune Guitar Competition

Kyle Khembunjong, a recent graduate of the classical guitar program, has been awarded second prize in the M.E. Brune Guitar Competition at the The University of Rhode Island Guitar and Mandolin Festival, one of the world’s premier classical guitar competitions. The honor highlights both his exceptional talent and the strength of UWM’s Classical Guitar Studio. Since graduating in May, Khembunjong remains active in Milwaukee and beyond, teaching at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and performing internationally.