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"Again, we had a marvelous time and we feel we have found a real gem in your short-term travel and fine arts presentations." -Elaine Hoberg

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Performing Arts Educational Tours

Upcoming Performances

For over 40 years, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has provided Performing Arts Tours that blend quality performance opportunities and educational focus with efficient travel. Most domestic programs feature four-day schedules that combine a weekend and two days for easy and relaxing "getaways." Tour prices and details are announced in descriptive brochures throughout the year. We encourage you to join our mailing list.

Each program includes:

Performing Arts Festivals and Tours

Enjoy some of the best performing arts in the United States. The following describes the weekend performing arts tours available:

Enjoy the happy holiday tradition of the University of Wisconsin's annual trip to New York City for a weekend of performances by some of the world's most inspiring performers and artists. The program includes a symphonic performance, a night at the Metropolitan Opera, a tour of one of the city's major art museums, and two Broadway plays! Of course, you'll have plenty of free time to enjoy the city's holiday season. More about this program.

The University of Wisconsin travels to the beautiful desert landscape of Santa Fe, New Mexico for the Opera Season and Chamber Music Festival. Enjoy operas chamber music a city tour and plenty of free time in one of the country's most interesting cities. More about this program.

A festival with one of North America’s premier theatre companies, The Shaw Festival focuses on the works of George Bernard Shaw, his contemporaries, and plays that take place in the period of time encompassing Mr. Shaw’s lifetime. This weekend trip takes in 5 plays, with ample time to stroll the beautiful shore of Lake Ontario and the lovely village of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is one of our most popular trips, so sign up early! More about this program.

For three weeks every summer Charleston turns into one of the most fertile performance sites in the world. Spoleto Festival brings in music, theatre, dance, opera, jazz, storytelling, blues and choral artists from all corners of the earth for a festival unmatched anywhere in North America. UW-Madison spends a weekend sampling a cross-section of the performance options while enjoying the southern hospitality, cuisine, history and weather for which the region is renowned. If you’ve never been to Spoleto Festival, you really don’t know what you’re missing! More about this program.

Every spring UW-Madison travels to the Big Apple for a weekend of the best theatre on Broadway. The itinerary typically includes four Broadway shows (dramas, comedies and musicals in different combinations), but occasionally we substitute an evening at a Jazz Club with live music and dinner. Daytime activities include an educational seminar with a Broadway professional, and a guided tour of one of New York’s fine art museums or famous neighborhoods. There is also plenty of free time to explore the city on your own terms. More about this program.

 

Comments from past tour participants:

"The New York trip was simply great-as are ALL of your expertly managed tours. Thank you for making it so memorable." —Lora Otjen

"The Arts Study tour was outstanding! I so enjoyed the activities/events and relaxed weekend. Thanks so very much for all your obvious pre-planning!" —Jo Ann Six

"What a great trip to New York City! As always, it was beautifully planned and the performances selected were outstanding." —Marg Williams

"We have taken several reputably top-notch commercial tours in the past, but we have never been treated more considerably and efficiently. We hope we will have the opportunity to take additional tours with you in the future." —Ed and Lois Kaul

 

Also of interest:

Travel destinations: See all the upcoming education travel programs

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Contact information:

Doug Whittle, Director: 21 N Park St., 7th Floor, Madison, WI 53715; Phone: 608-263-7787; e-mail: dwhittle@dcs.wisc.edu

The Department of Liberal Studies & the Arts is a part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Continuing Studies. The units within Continuing Studies provide continuing education programs for lifelong learners, from precollege to seniors, as well as counseling services for adult learners. You will find the UW-Madison Continuing Studies home page at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu, or browse the Web site using the navigational links below.