David Furumoto

Director of Theatre Productions

David has performed with theatre companies across the country including the Berkeley Repertory Theatre Co., the Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the Alliance Theatre Co., the Huntington Theatre Co., the Seattle Children's Theatre Co., the San Francisco Mime Troupe, the Center Theatre Group, the Mark Taper Forum, the Minneapolis Children's Theatre, East West Players, Theatre of Yugen and others. He has also directed for some of the above companies and has written plays for young audiences. He holds both a BA and MFA in theatre from the University of Hawaii with a specialization in Asian Theatre and also holds a professional certificate in Japanese classical dance from the Onoe Dance School in Japan. Other awards include the Crown Prince Akihhito Scholarhsip, the Earl Earnst Award for Excellence in Asian theatre, Backstage West-Dramalogue Garland Awards for choreography and acting, L.A. Ovation nominee for Choreography and Featured performance in a Musical, also many awards for Highland Bagpipe playing.

Michele Traband

General Manager

Michele joins the UT staff with over 18 years of experience in arts administration. Previous positions include Program Manager for the National Theatre Conservatory, which is a branch of the Denver Center Theatre Company; Program Director for both the UW Milwaukee Professional Theatre Training Program and the University of Hartford's Hartt School Theatre Division. She most recently was the Director of Ticketing Services for the Lied Center at the University of Kansas. Michele holds an MFA in Arts Administration from Brooklyn College. She was a founding member of the Renaissance Theatre Company in Milwaukee and has been a board member for several not-for-profit organizations around the country.

David S. Stewart

Production Manager

David joined the UW staff during the summer of 2003. In addition to running the production arm of University Theatre he also heads up the stage and production management programs. Previous endeavors include: Production Stage Manager for Buffalo, NY Studio Arena Theatre, St. Louis, MO MUNY theatre, Kansas City, MO Starlight Outdoor Musicals, Sullivan, IL The Little Theatre on the Square & Vienna Austrias English Theatre. David also holds a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification in the business world as well as holding a 4th degree black belt in the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. David is joined in Madison by his wife Jennifer, daughter Katana and son Slayte.

Jim Greco

Costume Studio

Jim has managed costumes shops for Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Indianapolis Repertory Theatre, GeVa Theatre, and The Berkshire Theatre Festival. He has draped costumes for The Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Alliance Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Hartford Stage, Yale Repertory Theatre and Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC. He has worked with Tony award winning designers Martin Pakledinaz and Ann Hould-Ward. He has designed at the Florida Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and GeVa. He taught costuming and draping for 3 years and designed 3 shows at University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa before coming to Madison.

Casey Martin

Lighting and Sound Studiio

Casey joined the department at UW-Madison in 2004. In addition to supervising the electric crews for university productions he also teaches classes in sound for the stage (T&D 371) and stage lighting technology (T&D 166). Martin has had a diverse 20 year career in professional technical theatre working as a rigger, lighting designer, technical director, consultant and most recently as the production manager for Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. In his free time, he enjoys riding the bike trails of Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Chuck Mitchell

Scene Studio

In addition to supervising Scene Studio activities, Chuck teaches stage craft (T&D 170) and scenery automation (T&D 571). He as been with the Theatre and Drama Department since 1981. Previously he toured nationally with musicals, dance and opera companies. Chuck is a member of the Stagehands Local 251 in Madison, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, and holds both BA and MFA degrees from the University of Wisconsin. When out of the theatre he enjoys biking, kayaking, hiking, woodworking and being an audience member at performance events. He lives in Madison with his wife, daughter and beagle.

Cindy Schkirke

Business Office Manager

Financial management of UT Manager of Vilas Hall Box Office Provides program Support Cindy has been part of the University of Wisconsin since 1978. She has been a wonderful asset to the university in many different capacities. Cindy joined University Theatre in 2006. She serves as the Business Office Manager, where she manages the the finances of University Theatre and the Vilas Hall Box Office. She also provides program support and is a financial specialist for the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin.