The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announces the final show of the 2022/2023 Theatre/Dance season with “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare. Directed by Bruce Cohen, this production will run in Barnett Theatre April 25-29 at 7:30 p.m. and April 30 at 1 p.m. Tickets ($16) are on sale for the performances and can be purchased in person, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. The Barnett Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
WHS Grad Carter Waelchli, who is studying Theatre Education at UW-W, is a member of the cast, serving in the role of Ross/Understudy Banquo. This is Carter’s third mainstage show at UW-W. Their previous performance credits include Bill in “Perfect Wedding,” and Marplot in “The Busybody.” This is Carter’s first Shakespeare show, and they’re excited to share this story.
Returned home and celebrated for victory in battle, the triumphant warlord, Macbeth believes that becoming King might be possible. Driven by mystical and sinister prophecies, he and his Lady set out on a path of butchery to slake their lust for power. A story of lost humanity and deadly ambition, Shakespeare’s tragic play is a murderous thriller.
On choosing this production director Cohen states, “Ultimately, Macbeth is a cautionary tale of political ambition and corrupted power. These themes were front and center during the reign of James I and, sadly, remain contemporary and evergreen to this day.”
The cast for the UW-Whitewater production of “Macbeth” includes Antonio Parra as Macbeth, Erin McKee as Lady Macbeth, Bryce Giammo as Banquo, and Makayla Fedler, Dyamond Jackson, and Abby Frey as the three witches.
You don’t want to miss this thrilling performance of “Macbeth” in Barnett Theatre April 25-29 at 7:30 p.m. and April 30 at 1 p.m. Get your tickets today in person, online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door at the time of the event. The Barnett Theatre and UW-Whitewater Ticket Services are located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
There was a fantastic opening reception on Saturday, April 15 with Lincoln World Drummers, MS Strings, and HS Choir Soloists for the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) Art Show hosted by the Whitewater Arts Alliance. Great student art at the building by the Birge Fountain for the rest of the month. Thank you student musicians and their teachers.
Students between the ages of 4-18 from the WUSD will be on display at the Cultural Arts Center (CAC)—402 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI –from April 13 to 30, 2023. Due to the vast number of pieces, the exhibition will be in-gallery only with a few quick overview camera shots on the Whitewater Arts Alliance website. The gallery hours are Thursdays thru Sundays, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Editor’s note: Photos and first paragraph of text courtesy of Christine Hayes.
In 1950’s London, a humorless civil servant (Bill Nighy) receiving a grim medical diagnosis, suddenly takes time off from work to finally experience life …while he still can. Bill Nighy was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for this bittersweet film. Seniors in the Park filmgoers will fondly recall his portrayal of Billy Mack, the burned out rock and roller in “Love Actually.”
C. Holly Denning, Academic Staff Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Criminology and Anthropology at UW-Whitewater, will be at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library to give a presentation about some of the significant policy eras that set the stage for contemporary challenges and successes of the various nations across the country and closer to home. Beginning in the 1500s briefly, then with more focus on the 19th century, the legal foundation of Indian law was set in place. It was not until the 1970s that the situation began to really turn around giving back more power to tribes and a deeper sense of sovereignty and cultural identity. With more than 570 federally recognized nations, the presentation will just be an introduction. The examples will be drawn from a few cases around the state, among Oneida, Menominee and Ojibwe peoples.
The presentation will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater on Tuesday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend this free program and no registration is required. For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.
Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions proudly presents the U.S. National Tour of World Ballet Series’ Cinderella. The 130- city tour of Cinderella brings the magic of this family-friendly fairy tale to audiences in cities big and small across the country.
One of the oldest and most beloved folktales, the story of Cinderella dates to sometime between 7 BC and AD 23 with the Greek tale of Rhodopis. Since then, there have been over 1,500 versions of it including the most widely known by French author Charles Perrault that most ballet productions are derived from. Set to a passionate score by composer Sergei Prokofiev, the ballet tells of young Cinderella who is a victim of cruel circumstance but whose unwavering kindness is rewarded with her dreams of a better life coming true.
World Ballet Series’ classically styled production of Cinderella, with original choreography by Estonia’s Marina Kesler is designed for a modern viewer. It is overflows with humor, charm, and adroit dancing by a multinational cast of 40 top-flight professional dancers from ten countries including Italy, France, Poland, Japan, Belarus, and the United Kingdom. It also features over 150 radiant costumes that were hand-sewn in Ukraine and hand-crafted and richly detailed stage sets.
Says Kesler of the ballet, “The choreographic language is classical using the most complex elements of Vaganova ballet technique. The idea was to evoke a cinematic feeling in the viewer where every gesture and scene is made clear.”
Dancing the lead role of Cinderella (in select cities) is World Ballet Series principal dancer Ekaterina Malkovich. The former Ural Opera Ballet star and two-time nominee for the coveted Golden Mask Award says of the role: “If we talk about my own character and worldview, I think some features are similar to my approach to portraying Cinderella. Despite her circumstances, she looks at the world with kindness and never allows anger or grief to get the better of her.”
A company member since 2019, Malkovich says touring life with World Ballet Series is like being with a big family. “We spend almost all day, every day together. I like to travel, see new cities, and meet interesting people. The people in America are very friendly,” she says.
For the ballet’s other lead role of Prince Charming, Kesler wanted the character to be more romantic, mischievous, and a little naive. “He is a dreamer who enjoys stargazing rather than performing court duties,” says Kesler. “This idea is modern in terms of how generations differ. Each new generation moves towards freedom of expression differently and are more open in the manifestation of love.”
Performing as Prince Charming will be World Ballet Series principal dancer Leonardo Celegato. The Italian dancer will alternate in the role with Honored Artist of Belarus, Konstantin Geronik, who will dance as the Prince in select cities. Celegato, who is also a demi-soloist with Estonian National Ballet, says of his portrayal of the Prince, “My Cinderella Prince is young, energetic, and fresh. He has so much love to give and is looking for the right person to give it to.”
The production will also showcase World Ballet Series’ new generation of dancers, including critics’ favorite Angelina Zgurskaya in the role of Cinderella’s stepmother along with Ekaterina Lukianova and Ayzhamal Abdrakhmanova dancing as her hilarious stepsisters.
Based in Los Angeles, World Ballet Series tour co-producers Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick say of Cinderella, “We always aim to exceed expectations. We create each production’s choreography, scenic design, and cast our dancers with the goal of bringing the highest quality to the stage. We want that for our audiences across the country, for many of whom it might be the first time seeing a ballet like Cinderella. We want their experience to be a memorable one full of the indescribable beauty that is ballet.”
ABOUT THE COMPANY World Ballet Series brings the world’s beloved ballets to theatrical stages across the United States. In cities big and small the series presents the breathtaking beauty of ballet to audiences, whether first time ballet goers or balletomanes. The company attracts many international artists and is comprised of renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries who are united by a passion for entertaining audiences and enriching classical ballet traditions through brilliant, critically-acclaimed new productions of timeless ballet classics.
Young Auditorium serves as a presenting organization for the performing arts and as an educational and cultural center enriching the lives of regional communities. Tickets for any show can be purchased online, by calling the Box Office at (262) 472-2222, or in person. Ticket Services is located in the atrium of Greenhill Center of the Arts, 950 West Main Street, Whitewater, and they are open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are two parking stalls in lot 1 that are for ticket purchasing. The Young Auditorium is adjacent to this building at 930 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, and parking is always free during your event. To learn more, visit www.YoungAuditorium.com.
The following notice was posted on the UW-Whitewater announcements page on April 19.
With the search and screen processes for two university leaders now concluded, Provost John Chenoweth is pleased to announce the naming of a new dean for the College of Letters and Sciences and a new assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment and Retention. Please join us in congratulating them!
Jason Janke
Jason Janke has been named the dean of the College of Letters and Sciences. He is currently serving as an associate dean at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he oversees advising as well as data and enrollment. Professor Janke served as chair of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences for three years and has served as an administrator (associate dean and interim dean) for six years in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
“Jason Janke will be a champion for student success and a strong advocate for the College of Letters and Sciences,” Chenoweth said. “His wide-ranging experience and skillset — teaching, budgeting, strategic planning, research, inclusivity efforts, and fundraising — will serve the college well. Dr. Janke deeply understands our mission to provide transformational experiences for our students and he vividly articulates the value of a high-quality liberal arts education.”
Janke officially begins as dean on July 1.
Jackie Briggs
Jackie Briggs has been named assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment and Retention. Briggs has been serving as director of admissions since 2017 and was previously assistant director of admissions at UW-La Crosse. She has more than 16 years of recruitment and retention experience in higher education.
“At a time of increased competition for student recruitment and retention, we are fortunate to have an experienced professional — Jackie Briggs — to lead our efforts,” said Chenoweth. “In her time at UW-Whitewater, Jackie has increased collaborations across both the Whitewater and Rock County campuses. Data-informed decision making and the welcoming, customer-service culture she has implemented have served us well and set the tone for others to follow. I look forward to working with Jackie and colleagues across UW-Whitewater to grow the Warhawk family.”
Briggs officially begins as assistant vice chancellor on April 21.
Chenoweth thanked the search chairs for these positions — Matt Vick, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education, who chaired the dean search, and Paul Waelchli, library director, who chaired the assistant vice chancellor search — as well as the search and screen committees, for their able leadership and strong work in recruiting and reviewing the candidates.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. April means spring and in the past spring meant Bock style beer. Whitewater’s bock beer was brewed in this building, the Whitewater Brewing Company brewery, formerly Klinger’s Brewery. Bock beer is a dark, malty beer traditionally brewed in spring and was brought to Wisconsin by German immigrant brewers.
The brewery was built in 1862 and taken over by N. Klinger, a German immigrant in 1864. Klinger owned the brewery until 1906, by which time it was called the Whitewater Brewing Company. It remained in business until prohibition (1920-1933), then reopened in July of 1933. By 1942, the equipment was old and the building no longer suitable for profitable beer production. Competition from large breweries in Milwaukee and outmoded facilities resulted in the closure of most small breweries in Wisconsin during the mid-20th century. The brewery building burned in 1974.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
American impressionist, Tom Nachreiner, is hosting a weekend en plein air workshop May 20 to May 21, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. This is a two-day workshop taking place at the Fuzzy Pig—N8660 Clover Valley Road, Whitewater, WI 53190—with all the information needed to become a better painter. The focus is on working with outdoor scenes to recreate stunning landscapes.
The cost of this workshop is $200 that can be purchased online from the Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) shop, https://www.whitewaterarts.org/shop/en-plein-air-workshop-with-tom-nachreiner-2023. Or checks can be sent to the WAA: checks need to be payable to Whitewater Arts Alliance. Address is P.O. Box 311, Whitewater, WI 53190. If registrants purchase through mail, the WAA asks that registrants email or call the gallery by April 23, 2023 to confirm registration.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater.
Starbucks has submitted plans to the City of Whitewater for a coffee shop with a drive-thru on the west side of town. The Starbucks proposed location is the current site of the Whitewater Quick Lube at 1280 W. Main Street. The existing building will be torn down and Excel Engineering, based in Fond Du Lac, will build the new building.
The next steps are to review the site plan and issue a Conditional Use Permit during the May meeting of the City of Whitewater’s Plan & Architectural Review Commission. The property is zoned B-1 and will require a Conditional Use Permit for the drive-thru. Architectural changes in B-1 zoned properties are subject to Conditional Use Permits.
John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, explains, “Notwithstanding the technical and legislative details of the site approval and conditional use approval process, this redevelopment opportunity represents another concrete positive step forward for this community. As a very wise elected official I once worked with said, if the local government invests in community, so will others. The City will continue to support and, where possible, invest in opportunities that create housing, jobs, and bring new businesses to the City. Starbucks is a welcome addition to that tapestry.”
The City of Whitewater’s Plan & Architectural Review Commission (PARC) will conduct a site plan review at their next meeting on May 8, 2023, and render its verdict. During site plan review members of the Plan Commission will examine the proposed building for architectural integrity and ensure that landscaping, traffic, lighting, parking, street access and other factors are in line with city ordinances. Furthermore, the PARC members will consider whether the new use will be a nuisance, all necessary improvements are being made, and that the proposed plan conforms to the zoning of the site and the City of Whitewater’s Comprehensive Plan.
If PARC approves the site plan, accepts the design, and approves the Conditional Use Permit, the owner of the land and his representatives can apply for building permits. The internal review by city staff will continue throughout the building process, with engineers and public works personnel ensuring the building and site are constructed in compliance with the city code. The Starbucks plans are available for review on the second floor of the municipal building at the Public Works/Neighborhood Services counter.
Chris Bennett, Neighborhood Services Director, shares, “One more place to grab a good cup of coffee is always good for any city. In a larger sense, what this new Starbucks represents is an individual and company willing to invest in Whitewater. Couple this with the new ALDI that is coming soon, and the redeveloped ACE Hardware, and that end of West Main Street is positioned for a bright future.”
Nichol Tesch of the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office indicates that the service for “Baby Oak,” the newborn whose body was found abandoned in a field on March 4, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 26 at 2 p.m., Hillside Cemetery. There will not be a directional sign at the entrance, but the grave site should be able to be easily located.
When asked by the Banner why the name “Baby Oak” was chosen, Tesch responded, “Baby Oak was part of the Twin Oaks mobile home community. So in searching for a name that would relate him to his home, Oak was a quite lovely choice. The oak tree was seen as sacred in European mythology. It symbolizes strength, honesty, longevity, justice, and honor, just to name a few.”
