University of Wisconsin–Madison

Communication Arts 2026 Graduation

The Communication Arts Department will host a graduation ceremony for graduating seniors and PhD recipients on Thursday, May 7 from 2:00 – 4:00pm at Gordon Dining and Event Center, 770 W. Dayton St. on the 2nd floor in the Overture/Sonata/Concerto rooms. We ask graduates to arrive by 1:30pm to get checked in. Doors will open …

Kathy Brown Joins the CAPS Board and Brings Expertise in Relationship Building to Communication Arts Students

This fall, the Communication Arts Partners (CAPS) were thrilled to welcome Kathy Brown, who brings to our alumni advisory board expertise in communication, persuasion, and relationship building. As a Director of Broker Alliances at Origami Risk, Brown utilizes countless skills she honed while in Communication Arts to manage relationships with clients. Her voice as a …

Meeting the Demand for More Horror

What is horror, and why do we like it? This is the central question of a newer Communication Arts course, “Horror Films,” led by Ph.D. candidate Sarah Mae Fleming. Whether it’s a classic jump scare, gooey monsters, or the exhilarating satisfaction of “surviving,” people have loved horror films for decades. After record-breaking grosses at the …

Nikki Schiefelbein Joins the CAPS Board and Brings Her Writing Flare and Mentorship to Communication Arts Students

The Communication Arts Partners (CAPS) board was honored to welcome Nikki Schiefelbein this fall. CAPS members are essential assets to Communication Arts as they volunteer their time and contribute  knowledge to department initiatives, teaching, and research. With a seasoned career in writing and producing in Hollywood, Schiefelbein will be a valuable mentor to Communication Arts …

A Successful Film Festival Run for “The Forest of Dreams”

Since the premiere of Kristyn Dallmann’s 2024 narrative short, “The Forest of Dreams,” at the Communication Arts showcase, she has taken her work to several film festivals and has even secured some awards. Not every budding filmmaker gets the chance to experience this part of the creative process, and Dallmann is honored to have had …