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ABOUT TNW ENSEMBLE THEATER

TNW Ensemble Theater was founded in 1985 with the twin goals of artistic innovation and community connection. We pursue these goals through creation and performance of multi-disciplinary productions, arts education, and outreach.

 

We have developed, produced and performed 39 new plays, 15 tap and jazz music performances, and 11 works for young audiences, touring throughout the U.S. and abroad. Through short and long-term residencies, we have reached thousands of under-served arts audiences, from older adults to youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

several actors on stage during a performance of Typhoid Mary

"OUR WORK SHOWS THAT THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN PEOPLE IS FOUND THROUGH THE ARTS."

MEET THE DUO BEHIND IT ALL

Danielle Dresden sitting on the studio floor and smiling up at the camera

DANIELLE DRESDEN

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Danielle Dresden, playwright, actor, and residency artist, is producing artistic director of TNW Ensemble Theater, which she co-founded in 1985 in Madison, Wisconsin. Dresden is the author of 35 plays that have been performed across the United States and abroad.

Donna Peckett outside holding tap shoes and smiling

DONNA PECKETT

PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Donna Peckett, choreographer-deviser, actor, tap dancer, and arts educator, is producing artistic director of TNW Ensemble Theater, which she co-founded in 1985. She has performed in and co-produced 40 theater works, touring from Florida to California, from Kansas to Washington, DC, from Canada to Mexico, from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Alaska, as well as venues throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.

OUR TAP INSTRUCTORS

Shona outside

SHONA MITTELDORF

Shona started taking dance classes at a young age and has continued her training ever since. From early on, tap has been her primary dance form, but she has also trained in hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary.

Sean holding a tap shoe to his face

SEAN FRENZEL

Sean Frenzel is a tap dancer and choreographer from Arlington Heights, Illinois. He has studied tap for over 20 years, learning from Corey Lozier, Mark Yonally, Jeannie Hill, and Madison’s own Katherine Kramer.

People on stage dressed as zombies

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COURTNEY BYELICH

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY/TREASURER

KATE QUALLS

NEDRA BOBO-BOYLES
MAGDA KMIECIK
SUE MCCARTNEY
JEFF SCOTT OLSON

TNW is committed to going beyond the “One Night Only” approach to the performing arts, and we continually strive to deepen and expand the ways in which people from different backgrounds connect with our work.

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