Theatre & Dance

Season listing

Multiple dates (14 upcoming) Department meeting Department of Theatre & Dance

Season Listing

SOUTH PARKING RAMP NOW OPEN!

The South Ramp across the street from the Lowe Center for the Arts is now OPEN! Patrons may park in the ramp without charge after 7:00 p.m. weekdays and all day/evening on the weekends.

2026-2027 THEATRE SEASON

The Welkin

By Lucy Kirkwood
Directed by Nic Barilar

The Welkin poster

Lucy Kirkwood’s The Welkin is a sweeping, provocative drama that plunges audiences into an isolated 18th‑century English village where justice, morality, and womanhood collide. Set in 1759 rural England, a young woman, Sally Poppy, is convicted of murder and claims she is pregnant to escape execution. A jury of local women is assembled to decide whether she truly carries new life or faces the gallows. What unfolds is a gripping examination of power, privilege, and the silenced voices of women, as each juror’s own history, hardship, and belief shapes the verdict. By turns tense, surprising, and darkly witty, The Welkin asks urgent questions about who gets to decide truth, whose lives are valued, and how personal experience becomes political. The Welkin asks: What does justice look like when women are finally allowed to speak? And who gets to decide the truth when belief itself becomes a battlefield?

CONTENT WARNING: Recommended for mature audiences. Contains mature content.

Performance Dates:
October 16-17 & 23-24, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
October 18 & 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Toland Theatre, Lowe Center for the Arts
333 N. 16th Street, La Crosse
Assigned Seating.

ONLINE TICKETS: $20 adults; $18 senior citizens/non UWL students/military; $8 UWL students. Online tickets will have a small credit card processing fee added at checkout. Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets online and download the tickets to their phone/email. Tickets may be purchased online beginning October 1, 2026.

IN PERSON/PHONE TICKETS: $22 for adults, $20 for senior/non UWL students/military and $10 for UWL students (processing/printing fee already included in the price). Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office in the Lowe Center for the Arts or by calling 608.785.6696. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 1:00-3:00 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance during the run of the show (October 12-25).

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Gruesome Playground Injuries

By Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Mary Trotter

Gruesome Playground Injuries poster

Gruesome Playground Injuries is a raw, darkly funny, and deeply affecting exploration of love, pain, and the marks we carry from childhood into adulthood. Tracking the lives of Kayleen and Doug through a series of out‑of‑order vignettes, the play reveals their complicated bond through moments of physical injury and emotional vulnerability—skinned knees, broken bones, broken hearts. As they reconnect again and again over three decades, their relationship becomes a haunting portrait of intimacy, dependency, and the ways we both hurt and heal one another. By turns tender, unsettling, and unexpectedly humorous, Gruesome Playground Injuries invites audiences to piece together a story that feels strikingly human, asking how much pain we endure for love—and whether some connections are impossible to escape. Tender, unsettling, and unexpectedly funny, Gruesome Playground Injuries is a powerful portrait of two people bound by timing, trauma, and the complicated ways we learn to love.

Performance Dates:
November 5-7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
November 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Frederick Theatre, Morris Hall
1615 State Street, La Crosse
General Admission.

ONLINE TICKETS: $22 adults; $20 senior citizens/non UWL students/military; $8 UWL students. Online tickets will have a small credit card processing fee added at checkout. Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets online and download the tickets to their phone/email. Tickets may be purchased online beginning October 1, 2026.

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens
Adapted by John Mortimer
Directed by Greg Parmeter

A Christmas Carol poster

John Mortimer’s sparkling adaptation of A Christmas Carol brings fresh wit, theatrical flair, and deep-hearted warmth to Dickens’s beloved holiday classic. The story follows the cold‑hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge, whose cheerless Christmas Eve is interrupted by the ghost of his long‑dead partner, Jacob Marley, and three haunting visitors who reveal the past that shaped him, the present he is poisoning, and the grim future that awaits if he refuses to change. As Scrooge is led through bustling streets, humble homes, and haunting visions, the enduring images of Tiny Tim, the Cratchit family, and the joy of human kindness come vividly to life. Mortimer’s version revels in theatrical storytelling—swiftly shifting scenes, lively narration, and moments of humor that sit beautifully alongside genuine pathos—honoring the timeless message of redemption while keeping the tale fast‑moving, playful, and deeply moving. At once festive and poignant, this A Christmas Carol celebrates generosity, compassion, and the miraculous possibility of change, making it a perfect holiday experience for audiences of all ages.

Performance Dates:
December 4-5 & 10-12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
December 6 & 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Toland Theatre, Lowe Center for the Arts
333 N. 16th Street, La Crosse
Assigned Seating.

ONLINE TICKETS: $22 adults; $20 senior citizens/non UWL students; $8 UWL students. Online tickets will have a small credit card processing fee added at checkout. Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets online and download the tickets to their phone/email. Tickets may be purchased online beginning October 1, 2026.

IN PERSON/PHONE TICKETS: $24 for adults, $22 for senior/non UWL students/military and $10 for UWL students (processing/printing fee already included in the price). Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office in the Lowe Center for the Arts or by calling 608.785.6696. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 1:00-3:00 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance during the run of the show (November 30-December 13).

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

Art In Motion: A Concert of Dance

Choreography led by Ashley Dobrogosz

Art in Motion Poster

Experience the energy, artistry, and imagination of Art in Motion: A Concert of Dance. This vibrant performance showcases original works choreographed and performed by UWL students, celebrating the breadth of movement styles—from the athletic expressiveness of modern dance to the rhythmic precision of tap, the dynamic flair of jazz, and the classical elegance of ballet. Each piece offers a unique perspective, blending technical skill with personal storytelling and bold creative choices. Art in Motion is both a celebration of emerging artists and a testament to the power of dance as a living, breathing art form. Engaging, inspiring, and endlessly varied, this concert promises an exhilarating night of movement that will captivate both longtime dance enthusiasts and first-time audiences alike.

Performance Dates:
February 18-20, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
February 21, 2027 at 2:00 p.m.
Toland Theatre, Lowe Center for the Arts
333 N. 16th Street, La Crosse
General Admission.

ONLINE TICKETS: $20 adults; $18 senior citizens/non UWL students; $8 UWL students. Online tickets will have a small credit card processing fee added at checkout. Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets online and download the tickets to their phone/email. Tickets may be purchased online beginning October 1, 2026.

IN PERSON/PHONE TICKETS:

$22 for adults, $20 for senior/non UWL students/military and $10 for UWL students (processing/printing fee already included in the price). Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office in the Lowe Center for the Arts or by calling 608.785.6696. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 1:00-3:00 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance during the run of the show (February 15-21).

Flora and Ulysses

Based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo
By John Glore
Directed by Greg Parmeter

Flora and Ulysses poster

John Glore’s delightful stage adaptation of Flora & Ulysses springs to life with humor, heart, and just the right touch of superhero magic. Based on Kate DiCamillo’s beloved novel, the story follows comic‑book‑loving Flora Buckman, whose quiet afternoon is turned upside down when a vacuum cleaner accident transforms a neighborhood squirrel into Ulysses—a poetry‑writing, nut‑loving superhero with remarkable powers. Together, Flora and her unlikely friend embark on an adventure filled with comic mishaps, eccentric adults, and surprising acts of bravery, all while discovering what it truly means to believe. Joyful and imaginative, the play gently explores themes of hope, empathy, and the courage to open one’s heart. With its playful tone, whimsical characters, and uplifting message about friendship and self‑confidence, Flora & Ulysses is a perfect theatrical experience for families and young audiences—a charming reminder that even the smallest heroes can change the world

School Performance Dates:
March 31-April 2, 2027 at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
Beginning Monday, August 31, please contact the UWL Department of Theatre and Dance at 608-785-6701 to register your school group. Seating is limited.

Public Performance Dates:
Saturday, April 3, 2027 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4, 2027 at 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Frederick Theatre, Morris Hall
1615 State Street, La Crosse
General Admission Seating.
**UWL Theatre & Dance children's show tend to sell out. We encourage patrons to purchase their tickets online early.**

ONLINE TICKETS: $10 adults/senior citizens/non UWL students; $8 UWL students/children. Online tickets will have a small credit card processing fee added at checkout. Patrons are encouraged to buy their tickets online and download the tickets to their phone/email. Tickets may be purchased online beginning October 1, 2026.

IN PERSON/PHONE TICKETS:

$12 adults/senior/non UWL students and $10 for UWL students/children (processing/printing fee already included in the price). Tickets are available for purchase in person at the box office in the Lowe Center for the Arts or by calling 608.785.6696. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 1:00-3:00 p.m. and one hour prior to each performance during the run of the show (March 29-April 4).

Presented by arrangement with Plays for New Audiences.

Anastasia: The Musical

Book by Terrence McNally
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Directed by Mary Trotter
Music Direction by Kathryn Skemp Moran
Choreography by Ashley Dobrogosz

Anastasia poster

Anastasia: The Musical is a breathtaking journey of romance, adventure, and self‑discovery set against the twilight of the Russian Empire and the glittering promise of Paris. The musical follows Anya, a brave young woman searching for her past and for a place where she truly belongs. As she sets out to uncover the truth of her identity, she encounters danger, humor, and unexpected love and discovers a destiny greater than she ever imagined. Anastasia’s soaring melodies, dazzling choreography, and lush staging makes for an unforgettable theatrical experience for audiences of all ages. Propelled by a message of courage, hope, and chosen family, Anastasia invites you to believe in the power of love and the magic of finding home.

Performance Dates:
April 23-24 & April 29-May 1, 2027 at 7:30 p.m.
April 25 & May 2, 2027 at 2:00 p.m.
Toland Theatre, Lowe Center for the Arts
333 N. 16th Street, La Crosse
Assigned seating.

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

**Please note: The Department of Theatre & Dance does not offer refunds for unused tickets. If you have purchased tickets in error, please contact the Department of Theatre & Dance to exchange the ticket for a different performance date. (Call 608-785-6696 or email Krista Shulka at kshulka@uwlax.edu)

Digital Programs Info

Digital Programs

In an effort to reduce waste and reduce our carbon footprint, we will no longer be offering printed programs for any theatre production. But, don't worry...you'll be able to access the program online!

Accessing Show Programs

When you arrive at the theatre, there will be postings with a QR code in the lobby and as you enter the theatre. You simply scan this code with your phone's camera to access the online program.

Benefits to Patrons

Programs will be mobile-friendly, will be available sooner, and will be archived on our website. Programs can also be accessed before and after the production on your laptop or computer.

Using mobile devices during shows?

We strongly encourage patrons to view the programs before the start of the performance, during intermission, or when the performance concludes. As always, cell phones are distracting to the actors and other patrons, so viewing the programs before or after the production is ideal.

Will we return to printed programs?

The short answer is probably not. While there still may be special instances where print programs are needed, the UWL Department of Theatre and Dance is committed to providing this digital platform to our patrons in order to be more environmentally friendly and encourage sustainable business practices.

Access to Digital Programs