Chippewa Valley Times

May 2, 2024

A growing partnership between UW-Eau Claire and Pablo Center at the Confluence is creating exciting learning opportunities and opening doors professionally for Blugold theatre majors.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's music and theatre arts department offers students abundant instruction and performance opportunities through its partnership with the Pablo Center at the Confluence. Arthur Grothe, artistic director of theatre, highlights this by stating, "They can start right away. In fact, our major is geared to students being involved right in their first year."

Students like Shasta Reese from Appleton have found new passions within the theater realm, with Reese expressing, "When I first came here, I wanted to be a performer, but then I got pulled to other parts of the theater."

Elizabeth Tanner, an acting instructor, emphasizes the hands-on experience students receive, saying, "They’re not just watching someone else do it and learning it; they’re actually doing it."

The program aims to nurture a broad base of skills to create sought-after graduates in the competitive field of theatre. Emily Afdahl, a fourth-year musical theatre student from Lakeville, Minnesota, appreciates the opportunities at UW-Eau Claire, stating, "What sets Eau Claire apart is the opportunities; you get to do everything."

The partnership between UW-Eau Claire and the Pablo Center at the Confluence not only provides students with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment but also valuable professional experience both on and off the stage. This collaboration is instrumental in preparing students for successful careers in the arts.

As the university continues to offer high-impact opportunities and practical experience to its students, the artistic partnership with the Pablo Center remains a cornerstone of the educational journey for aspiring theatre professionals.