Three theatre alumni reflect on the hands-on learning that made their futures possible

Three theatre alumni reflect on the hands-on learning that made their futures possible

Three recent graduates of the UW-La Crosse Theatre & Dance Department took different paths after college. One is working at one of the nation's leading regional theatres. Another is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting. A third is headed to graduate school after building an impressive portfolio in costume design.

Yet all three point to a similar reason for their success: the opportunity to learn by doing at UWL.

Whether managing productions, performing on stage, designing costumes or mentoring younger students, UWL's hands-on approach gave them the confidence, skills and professional experience to take the next step.

That emphasis on experiential learning is woven throughout the Theatre & Dance curriculum, says Laurie Kincman, professor and chair of Theatre & Dance. From general education classes to advanced coursework, students are encouraged to explore new interests, take creative risks and apply what they learn. Faculty members bring expertise in a broad range of disciplines, allowing students to dream big, try new things and know there is always someone to provide encouragement and support, she adds.

"Hands-on training is essential for skill development, and working professionally in the arts requires shared creativity and collaboration in addition to individual artistry," says Kincman. "Our goal is for them to graduate with as many tools in the toolbox as they can acquire, and robust portfolios to showcase it all."

Consistently putting theory to practice also allows students to learn how to learn, making each new challenge an adventure that can be met with confidence, says Kincman.

Learning by doing

Only a few weeks after graduating in May 2025, Sage Goetsch began an apprenticeship at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. It was a new city, a new workplace and a new group of colleagues.

At first, he admits, it was intimidating.

"It was terrifying," Goetsch recalls. "But after my first few days, I realized I was just going through the motions like I normally would. I didn't feel lost when hearing terminology or when asked to complete typical tasks of a stage manager."

That experience made him realize how much he had gained through his time at UWL.

"That was the first time I truly understood how valuable all of the hands-on experience at UWL had been," he says.

Goetsch worked on at least one theatre production every semester - often two or three - serving in roles such as house manager, assistant technical director, sound designer, props designer, director, lighting designer, board operator and actor.

One particularly meaningful experience came during his senior capstone production of "Cabaret," when he served as stage manager for a musical for the first time.

"It was a complex show with a lot of moving parts, but the faculty and student designers trusted me to be their stage manager and do the job," he says. "That trust gave me the opportunity to try new things, improve my skills. It also helped me build confidence early in a leadership role, helped me take ownership of my work, and communicate effectively with the design team."

He credits Kincman for trusting him and consistently providing opportunities to take on challenging productions and grow professionally.

Beyond department productions, Goetsch served as president of The Drama Club for two years, helping lead student-run performances and productions. One highlight was the 2024 staged reading of "The Hen House," a play written by UWL alumnus Ronny Mickle. It was the premiere of this piece.

"It was so rewarding to use the skills I learned in classes and productions to create a project that was fully run by students," he says.

Goetsch also completed multiple professional apprenticeships while at UWL, including serving as Production Management Apprentice at New York Stage and Film in Poughkeepsie, New York. He recently completed an apprenticeship with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and currently serves as assistant production manager at Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and will be stage managing multiple productions at First Stage Children's Theatre in Milwaukee.

"I wanted to be a well-rounded artist and stage manager," he says. "The department made it super easy to jump into projects that interested me."

Discovering a future in theatre

For Caroline Thompson, the most important moment happened before she ever declared a theatre major.

When she arrived at UWL, Thompson planned to study psychology. She had enjoyed theatre in high school and decided to audition for a production simply because anyone could participate, regardless of major.

What she didn't expect was that faculty members would help her see theatre as more than a hobby.

"I had always wanted to keep acting or directing or continuing to perform in some capacity, but it seemed very unrealistic to want to do it professionally," says Thompson.

Conversations with faculty and experiences in productions gradually changed her perspective.

"My ideas about the future really changed when I realized it actually was possible for me to have a viable career in theatre," she says. "After helping direct and teach youth theatre, I discovered I was passionate about teaching performance as well as performing myself."

Encouraged by faculty mentors, Thompson added a second major in musical theatre and began exploring graduate school opportunities. The support she received made a lasting impact.

"It showed me that people really did have faith in me," she says. "I've always struggled with self-doubt and feeling like I'm not capable enough, but just hearing someone say, 'This is something you have a lot of potential in. Keep working hard at it,' was so validating and motivating."

After graduating in May 2026 with degrees in psychology and musical theatre, Thompson was accepted into the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory MFA program. Her long-term goal is to work professionally as an actor and eventually teach acting at the university level.

Along the way, extensive performance opportunities helped her understand both her strengths and areas for growth.

"A lot of grad school interviews included questions about areas where I needed improvement and areas where I felt most confident," Thompson says. "I was able to answer those questions because of all the hands-on experience I got at UWL."

She also points to the department's "Auditions and the Business of Acting" course as particularly valuable. The class included practical assignments such as creating a professional website, filming self-tapes, developing a statement of purpose and preparing for auditions - all skills that proved useful during the graduate school application process.

For Thompson, however, one of the strongest parts of the program was the sense of community among students and faculty.

"That kind of support and encouragement to challenge yourself is what makes this department so great. It really does feel like a really big family," says Thompson. "Without that support I would not be where I am today."

Building skills beyond the classroom

For December 2025 graduate Elin Voegeli, the most influential experiences happened behind the scenes.

"The single most important experience was probably the time I spent working in the Costume Shop," Voegeli says.

Working alongside current and former faculty members Michelle Collyar, Anna Wooden and Joe Anderson, Voegeli developed technical skills that set him apart from other designers and technicians.

"I learned so much from them that I couldn't have learned in a classroom," Voegeli says.

As one of only a few costume design majors when he arrived on campus, Voegeli also took on a mentoring role for younger students.

"I didn't really have a mentor my freshman year," Voegeli says. "I wanted to make sure first- and second-year students had someone they could go to."

Throughout his time at UWL, Voegeli served as costume designer for multiple productions, gaining professional-level experience while building a portfolio for graduate school applications.

One project, "Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really," became a particularly important addition to that portfolio.

The value of those experiences became especially clear when Voegeli toured Yale University and later advanced as a finalist for a prestigious Costume Technology Internship.

"That experience made me realize the skills I learned at UWL were on par with students from many private arts universities," says Voegeli.

After graduating with a major in Theatre Design and Technology with a costume design emphasis and a minor in French, Voegeli weighed multiple graduate school and fellowship opportunities before choosing the University of Georgia, where he will pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design.

Although their careers are taking them in different directions, Goetsch, Thompson and Voegeli share a common perspective on what prepared them for life after graduation. For them, the most valuable lessons weren't limited to the classroom. They came from managing productions, stepping into leadership roles, building portfolios, mentoring others and discovering what they were capable of accomplishing.