51ÁÔĆć

Student Stories

Student designers and technicians help shape Songs for a New World

The Peck School of the Arts Theatre Department presents Songs for a New World, a musical about life, love, and defining moments. What makes this production stand out is the team behind it: the show is largely designed and executed by students, who are leading work across set design, technical production, and stage management. Directed by Steve Decker, the production offers students the opportunity to take on professional-level responsibilities and shape the show from the ground up.

Kesslers Diamonds continues its support of Jewelry & Metalsmithing students through grants and internships

For the past eight years, Kesslers Diamonds has partnered with PSOA’s Jewelry & Metalsmithing program to provide students with opportunities to create industry-grade work. What began as a collaboration has grown into a sustained investment in student success, offering real-world job experience, internship opportunities, and significant scholarship support.

Design & Visual Communication student creates label design for 2025 edition of Panther Pale Ale 

Macy Franti, a senior in PSOA’s Design & Visual Communication BFA program, is the artist behind the design of this year’s Panther Pale Ale can. Created by Pilot Project Brewing and Craft Beverage Warehouse, Panther Pale Ale is an annual collaboration with Milwaukee Athletics and the Peck School of the Arts. This year marks the third consecutive year of the real-world design partnership.

Graduating seniors share powerful stories through movement in New Dancemakers

New Dancemakers is a senior capstone project in which eleven graduating students research and choreograph a dance performance representative of what they have learned during their time at the Peck School of the Arts. Students spend months focusing on a research topic of their choosing, often utilizing historical documentation and connecting with community members. We talked with three senior choreographers to learn more about their process.

Spooky senior films to watch this Halloween season 

Between costumes and candy, many celebrate the Halloween season by watching horror movies. Throughout the years, many students’ senior thesis films have had spooky undertones, making them perfect to rewatch this time of year. Kelly Kirshtner (Associate Professor, Film) and …

New students share what they look forward to at PSOA

PSOA welcomed incoming and returning students by hosting their annual fall student welcome event, offering a fun afternoon filled with activities like live student performances, photo ops, a networking fair, and free pizza.  The fall welcome event gives incoming students the opportunity to see all that PSOA has to offer and helps them …

Guitar students and alumni shine on international stages 

The Peck School of the Arts guitar program is recognized for its distinguished faculty and the achievements of its students and alumni. Led by internationally renowned artist René Izquierdo, the program continues to produce musicians who thrive on competitive stages around the world. We recap several summer successes from students and alumni.

Dance MFA Students Turn Research into Performance 

UpStart is an experimental project choreographed, researched, and performed by Dance MFA students at the Peck School of the Arts. Each performance reflects deeply personal themes and self-exploration by the individual artists. Led by dance professor and graduate program director Maria Gillespie, the project features eight first- and second-year MFA students, each taking a unique approach to their work. The performances also include dancers from both 51ÁÔĆć and the Milwaukee dance community.

PSOA Convocation is a celebration of artists and arts advocates

PSOA ended its 2025 school year by hosting Convocation, a ceremony held to celebrate Peck School of the Arts graduates receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The ceremony featured live performances and showcases from each department, spotlighting what students have accomplished …