On Dec. 18, UW–Madison will celebrate its Winter 2022 Commencement. We reached out to a few of our students who are graduating from programs in the School of Education to learn about their favorite UW–Madison memories and future plans. Following is a Q&A with Juliana Gessner, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in theatre and drama.
Where are you from, and what brought you to UW–Madison?
I’m from Milwaukee, and what brought me to UW–Madison was the chance to work in a theater department that had opportunities for students to work on mainstage shows.
What is your major, and how did you choose it?
I am a theatre and drama major also graduating with a certificate in game design.
I was on stage crew in high school. When I learned I could make a living doing technical theater, I decided that would be what I would study while also developing my visual art at the same time. I focused on stage management for most of my time here and in the past couple of semesters have been studying scenic design and scenic painting.
What class or professor had the greatest impact on you, and why?
The scenic painting class taught by Rob Wagner helped me put my visual art skills to use, and my success in that class allowed me the chance to work as a scenic painter on “Rashomon” in summer 2021. It gave me the confidence to pursue scenic painting and scenic design further.
"My most meaningful work has been participating in student productions. Working with other students means we're all on the same level and we're all learning together."
What was your most meaningful experience at UW–Madison?
I was both the scenic designer and scenic charge for University Theatre’s “First Date,” directed by Ross Shenker, which meant I both designed AND PAINTED my own show! I was with it every step of the way, and being with all of the people who put the work in to make it happen was uplifting in the best way possible.
Did you participate in any study abroad programs, internship programs, or community activities? If yes, what were your experiences like?
My most meaningful work has been participating in student productions. Working with other students means we’re all on the same level and we’re all learning together.
What do you know now that you wish you had known when you started at UW–Madison?
Get involved with student projects ASAP, theater or not! Learn from experience!
What’s next for you? What are your plans for the future?
After graduating, I plan on hanging out with my cats and my girlfriend while I seek scenic charge employment in Madison, Milwaukee, or Chicago. I am also an illustrator and comics-enthusiast, so I’ll have more time to make art art art!