News & Events

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the UW-W College of Arts and Communication, Department of Theatre/Dance

The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is pleased to announce the first show of the Theatre/Dance season is “A Place with the Pigs” by Athol Fugard. Directed by Bruce Cohen, this production will run in Barnett Theatre from October 5 – 8 at 7:30 p.m. and close on October 9 with a performance at 2:00 p.m. 

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. Masks are required for anyone entering a campus building and each performance will have a social distance seating option. The Barnett Theatre is located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190. Do not come to campus if you are ill. For the most up to date campus safety information, visit the Warhawks are Back webpage at the link below. uww.edu/warhawks-are-back.

Based on an absurd but true story and directed by Bruce Cohen, this poignant and sometimes hilarious tale is about a Russian soldier who deserted during World War II and spent ten years hiding in his pigsty. As the play begins, Pavel Ivanovitch is preparing to rejoin the world and throw himself on the mercy of his countrymen… Will Pavel Ivanovitch ever be able to leave the pigsty, or is it his only safe haven?

Director Bruce Cohen states, “‘A Place with the Pigs’ is a parable. The play is, at its base, about the young soldier who inspired Fugard to write it, Pavel Navrotsky. Pavel is real and, although Fugard takes ample liberty with his story, the absurd circumstance of a man hiding away for decades in a pig sty is historically factual. It is, indeed, a more common thing than I’d ever imagined. The historic Pavel hid out of fear. Fear of the Nazis at the front, but also a very, valid terror of Stalin’s retribution should he be discovered by his own people. The play is a commentary on the misanthropy that self-isolation and fear can magnify; a poignant reality over the last year and a half. And lastly, for myself, this is a case-study of toxic codependency and the parallel dynamics between a wife and abusive husband.”

Playing the lead role of Pavel Ivanovitch is Theatre/Dance student, Bryce Giammo. Playing the role of Pavel’s wife, Praskovya Ivanovitch, is Erin McKee. Additional roles have been implemented and are played by Emma Dutcher and Maggie McNulty. “This role is the most difficult role I have ever played. Pavel is such a complex character because his mood can change in a heartbeat” says Giammo. “When I first read the script, I was shocked to find that it was only a two-person play and that I had lines on every page; I have never performed anything like this before. Preparing for this role has been a journey. One thing that’s stood out has not just been having enough time to learn the lines, but to invest in the character himself. Who is Pavel? The first character choices I made involved Pavel as a pretty miserable person. Since then, the character has evolved so audiences will see the raw emotions behind the tough exterior.”

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Walworth County.

Workdays Scheduled for October and November

Walworth County Public Works is seeking volunteers for three upcoming park workdays. Volunteers will assist the Geneva Lake Conservancy (GLC) and Kettle Moraine Land Trust (KMLT) with harvesting of native prairie seeds and the removal of invasive plant species at White River County Park in Lake Geneva, Price Park Conservancy in Elkhorn, and Natureland Park in Whitewater.

Park Workdays Schedule

• Fri., Oct.1, 9 a.m. to noon, White River County Park (6503 Sheridan Springs Rd., Lake Geneva). Volunteers will assist GLC with invasive species removal with a focus on buckthorn and seeding areas where invasive species have been removed.
• Fri., Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, Price Park Conservancy (N6421 Hodunk Rd., Elkhorn). Volunteers will assist KMLT with seed collection in the Price Park prairie.
• Fri., Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to noon, Natureland Park (W8338 Territorial Rd., Whitewater). Volunteers will assist KMLT with invasive species removal with a focus on buckthorn and other brushy invasives.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Walworth County Volunteer Services Coordinator Colleen Lesniak at (262) 741-4223, clesniak@co.walworth.wi.us. 

Walkers may register at the following link. If you don’t plan to walk you may still contribute at https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2021/event/whitewaterwi – Click on “donate” at the top of the page.

Editor’s note: The following information was submitted by Washington Elementary PATT.

September 20th-23rd Washington PATT (Parents and Teachers Together) invited community members to play with students during lunch recess. It is always hard to tell if the adults or students are having more fun!

Monday was Big Rig Day; there was a chopper, a combine, a tractor and grain cart, a dump truck, a semi, a backhoe, a street sweeper, a Humvee, and a MTV. Thank you to JC Kow Farms, Reu Farms, TVL Trucking, City of Whitewater DPW, and the National Guard-Whitewater Armory for providing equipment for the Big day and answering awesome questions from our students.

Tuesday the Whitewater Fire Department and Flight for Life visited. WFD assisted Flight for Life with the landing on our school lawn. WFD also brought a fire truck and ambulance for students to see. The flight crew and fire department members provided an experience that will never be forgotten. The students cheered as the helicopter came in for landing. As the flight took off the pilot turned the helicopter toward the school to wave goodbye! Thank you Whitewater Fire Department and Flight for Life of Waukesha for the awesome experience for our students!

Wednesday was Football Day! Members of the UW-Whitewater Football team and Whitewater High School Football played with students at recess. They got in on all the fun, four square, swinging; they played football and basketball too! Each year the students love to play with the football players. Thank you to the Warhawk and Whippet Football Teams!

Thursday rounded out our Pick a Day Come and Play week with the Whitewater Police Department. This is always a great opportunity for students to have a fun experience with officers. They get to see the inside of the police vehicles and play with officers on the playground. The officers love it just as much as the students! Thank you to Whitewater Police Department for this awesome experience.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by UW-Madison Extension Walworth County.

Have you thought about joining the 4-H program, but felt you didn’t know enough about it?
Walworth County 4-H is offering you an opportunity to get your questions answered and see if 4-H is a
good fit for your family!

Explore 4-H Night is set for Tues., October 5th , from 6-8 p.m. at the Walworth County Fairgrounds
Activity Center, Elkhorn. This fun, open house style event will offer parents and children the opportunity
to sample 4-H through a variety of hands-on activities related to a number of projects such as arts and
crafts, foods, horticulture, wildlife, and more! You’ll meet some new animal friends, including cavies,
poultry, cats, and even a horse! You can even test your aim and learn all about 4-H shooting sports
opportunities at SHOOTING SPORTS ALLEY! Along the way, you’ll meet youth and adults who are
already a part of the 4-H program. They can fill you in about 4-H fun, friends, projects, meetings, and
more!

Participation is absolutely free! Pre-registration is not required, but, the first 15 families who do
pre-register by October 4 at 5 p.m. will receive a special participation prize at the door. For more
information, or to register, call the Walworth County UW-Extension Office at 262-741-4951 or email
deborah.harris@wisc.edu. The event location is in the SE corner of the fairgrounds. A Spanish language
interpreter will be present throughout the event.

4-H is a Positive Youth Development program of UW-Madison Division of Extension.
Participation is open to all youth in grades 5K through 13. 4-H clubs meet monthly to talk business, do
activities, plan community service efforts, and enjoy member talks and demonstrations. 4-H members
work with their project leaders and families to pursue and complete their individual projects. There are
79 project areas available from which to choose. Learn more about Walworth County 4-H at
https://walworth.extension.wisc.edu/. The new 4-H program year is starting now, so this is the perfect
time to join in the fun! Enrollment is open!

An EEO Affirmative Action employer, UW-Madison Division of Extension provides equal
opportunities in employment and programming including Title VI, Title IX and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in Explore 4-
H Night or the program overall, call 262-741-4951.