2025 Workshop Schedule
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2025 Workshop Descriptions
What to Know Before Choosing a College Theatre Program (“Behind the Curtain”). Andrew Brackett, Jim O’Connell, Dana Dancho, Kyle Norris, Kristina Sneshkoff, Laurie Schmeling, UW-Stevens Point. Join this panel of college professors as we discuss what goes in to selecting the perfect college theatre program for you. Topics will include degree types, program offerings, production seasons, cost of attending, school location and much more. This session will end with question-and-answer time to answer your questions and facilitate a community discussion.
Costume Design for Dance. Kristina Sneshkoff, UW-Stevens Point. An exercise in the creative process of costume designing for dance. Note: Bring a sketch book and pencil or preferred style of media.
Finding Your Musical Theatre Voice. Aimee Wetenkamp, St. Augustine Preparatory Academy. In Finding Your Musical Theatre Voice, participants will explore a three-step process to develop a strong, authentic sound. Step one focuses on breath support and diaphragm engagement, building the foundation for healthy singing. Step two explores vocal placement specific to musical theatre, helping singers access resonance, projection, and stylistic versatility. Step three emphasizes storytelling through song, connecting technique with character and emotional intention. This interactive workshop empowers performers to discover their unique voice, expand their range, and perform with confidence and artistry, equipping them with practical tools to shine onstage in the dynamic world of musical theatre.
General Audio for Theater. Michael Inloes, Clearwing Systems Integration. This workshop introduces the basic principles of sound and how they apply to live theater. Topics include how sound travels, the function of microphones, mixers, and speakers, and the importance of gain structure and EQ. The session focuses on achieving clear, natural audio for speech and music in a theatrical setting.
Highlight, Shadow, Blend – Basics of Stage Makeup. Kristina Sneshkoff, UW-Stevens Point. A demonstration on the basics of Stage Makeup focusing on Old Age and Bruise & Wounds. Ben Nye cream products will be used on a willing volunteer.
Meisner for Actors. Dana Dancho, UW-Stevens Point. Meisner exercises will enable students to get “out of their heads” and work moment to moment from impulse, free from self-consciousness. Students are encouraged to bring a short monologue or memorized piece of text to apply the technique in a practical way while working with a partner, but that is certainly not a requirement to participate.
Moving from Incandescent to LED. Jill Maurer, Clearwing Systems Integration. Workshop examines all aspects of lighting fixtures, power and control needs, and things to consider in your space. Bring questions or specific issues for discussion.
Musical Theater Dance Skills and Styles. Nancy McQuide, Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Dept. Learn some basic steps/ skills of jazz, tap, contemporary, folk and hip-hop dance to help you at your musical theater auditions. No previous dance experience required. This fast-paced, fun, friendly and informative session will improve your dance abilities Note: Wear shoes that support and enclose the feet (not flip flops, sandals), and clothing that allows for comfortable full- body movement.
Musical Theatre: Song Performance. Kyle Norris, UW-Stevens Point. This interactive workshop is designed to boost your confidence and performance skills! You’ll learn how to bring a song to life by discovering hidden clues in the music and lyrics, practice giving and receiving helpful feedback, learn strategies to manage nerves and feel comfortable onstage. Students may either present a 32-bar cut of a memorized Musical Theatre song or participate in the group discussions. Note: Singers should bring sheet music with the cuts clearly marked for the accompanist. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate in this fun and supportive space!
Not JUST Ensemble. Natalie Wooden. Explore what it truly means to create a character in the ENSEMBLE of a show. By working through guided exercise, team building, games and other fun exploratory natures, students will leave the workshop feeling refreshed and inspired on what it means to be a part of a show, but not JUST an ensemble member, but a true performer. Note: Students should wear comfortable clothing that they can move around in.
Sing your Own Song! Rebecca Schorsch, Roosevelt University. This workshop addresses how to showcase you and your unique talents throughout the college audition process, how to set yourself up for success in the audition room, and how to select from the large range of degree paths that incorporate musical theater to find the best ‘fit’ for your education and future career goals. We will discuss audition song selections, what makes a good song cut, audition techniques and more! Participants are welcome to bring copies of their audition cuts for feedback.
Social Theatre Dance. Chris Kaiser, Kate Gomez Moore, UW-Stevens Point. Get your dancing feet ready for this experiential workshop where we take a dive into different social dance styles for theater! We will explore three different dances from well-known musicals: Waltz (Sound of Music), Mambo (West Side Story), and Lindy Hop (Swing!). Participants will learn foundational steps, partnering basics, and explore how relationships and character development can come alive through dance! No previous dance experience required – just come ready to move in comfortable clothes and a willingness to learn.
Stage Movement. Kim Neal Nofsinger, Brookwood HS. Description forthcoming.
Triple Threat. Natalie Wooden. Come sing, dance and act your way through some of the most popular Musical theater tunes of today. Students will explore characters, dance interpretation, singing, controlled breathing, ensemble work and way more! Be ready to sweat and shine in this fast-paced workshop! Note: Moveable clothing and dance shoes/sneakers required.
What the heck is Arts Management and how does it fit into a Theater career? Jim O’Connell, UW-Stevens Point. An introduction to the field of Arts Management, highlighting its connections to a career as a theater artist. Using the undergraduate Arts Management program at UWSP as an example, the presentation will focus on the knowledge base, skills, and experiences available to students of the program, along with the ways in which coursework can be integrated with studies in Theater. Arts Management prepares students to manage their own careers as artists, to facilitate the work of other artists, and to adapt to changing circumstances in their lives and careers with transferable skills.
Yoga for Actors. Dana Dancho, UW-Stevens Point. Since the human body is the actor’s instrument, this beginner’s yoga class will provide students with a warm up to prepare their bodies for performance and release tension. Tension in the body not only impedes the range of movement and vocal possibilities to which actors can find easy access, but it also terminates organic impulses. Therefore, elimination of this tension can allow students to become more effectual in asserting their presence into their environment and work. No experience required. Mats are provided, or students may bring one.
You’ve decided to major in Theatre. Now what? Scott Boyle, University of Minnesota-Duluth. Incoming student are often confused by the different degree programs institutions offer and what it takes to enroll. What is the difference between a BA, a BS and a BFA? What does an audition process look like? What goes into a portfolio? Can I Major in something else and still do Theatre?
Instructor Biographies
Scott Boyle is an Associate Professor of Technical Production in the Department of Theatre at the University of Minnesota Duluth. There he teaches courses in scenic construction, drafting, props construction and Stage Management. He has also worked professionally as a Technical Director for Theatre companies across the Midwest.
Andrew Brackett is the Assistant Professor of Lighting and Sound Design at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Previously, he worked at the University of Nebraska Kearney, Fort Lewis College, and Shenandoah University. Andrew has his MFA from Northern Illinois University and his BA from the University of Minnesota.
Dana Dancho holds an MFA Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University, a BFA Acting from the University of Michigan, and is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance. Currently, she is Assistant Professor of Acting at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Michael Inloes – Michael is currently a Project Coordinator at Clearwing. Michael holds a degree in Electronic Media from UW Whitewater, an Avixa CTS certification and has experience in live event production as well as recording studio applications. He is heavily involved in the Milwaukee music scene as both a performer and
Kate Gomez Moore is a visiting professor of dance at UWSP. She received her MFA from the University of Colorado and has been a member of Alpine Artist Collective. Chris is an assistant professor at UWSP. He recently completed his MFA at the University of Washington after dancing with Oregon Ballet Theatre.
Jill Maurer is a Lighting/Rigging salesperson at Clearwing Systems and highly experienced in new theater builds and system renovations. Industry veteran with the last 14 years at Clearwing, she enjoys mentoring others in all things theater and is an ETCP – Certified Theatre Rigger.
Nancy Weiss McQuide, M.S. is an actress, choreographer, dance teacher, mime, writer, and speaker. As a Theater Education Artist/ Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Dance Teacher/ UW- Milwaukee, Theater Artist/ Wisconsin Arts Board, Choreographer/ Concordia University, etc., she has taught and performed throughout Wisconsin.
Kyle Norris – Broadway credits: School of Rock, Rocky, Pippin, First Date, and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Broadway first national tours of If/Then, Legally Blonde, and West Side Story. Las Vegas credits include Spamalot, Hairspray, Avenue Q, and Mamma Mia. He’s currently an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at UWSP.
Jim O’Connell is in his twelfth year as Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Arts Management program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He spent nearly fifty years managing and programming performing arts centers around the US, raising funds, creating opportunities for artists, and bringing arts activities and audiences together.
Rebecca Simone Schorsch instructs singers who perform on and off-Broadway, on London’s West End, Chicago and regional stages, in opera houses, in film, television and the recording industry. She is the Program Director of Musical Theater and Classical Voice at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Krissy Sneshkoff is a Costume, Hair & Makeup Designer, Educator and Mentor and assistant professor of Costume Design at UWSP. Her design work can be seen across the country with companies such as The Black Hills Playhouse, American Shakespeare Center, Skylight Music Theatre, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and many more. www.kristinasneshkoff.com
Aimee Wetenkamp is a passionate musical theatre educator, director, and adjudicator, completing her MFA in Theatre Education this December. She brings energy, creativity, and professional insight to every workshop, engaging students in voice, acting, and ensemble work. Her interactive approach empowers young performers to embrace storytelling, collaboration, and artistic excellence.
Natalie Wooden, a current educator and performer, has worked all over northern Illinois and Wisconsin areas. She’s an education coordinator, private lesson instructor, choreographer, after school coordinator, music director and more. She served as an Illinois state thespian officer and been involved in theater for over 13 years.