…helping her realize what she already had.
It seems that many Phoenix freshman have a similar outlook: they have the knowledge, skills, and ability to become outstanding professionals, but they need help finding these characteristics inside themselves. Wendy A. Huber’s UWGB transformation story is no different.
“I came to UWGB a somewhat shy, awkward teenager and was transformed into strong-willed, very capable leader of my peers, and eventually into a working freelance artist,” Wendy explains, “and this was a resolution I never could have imagined at the time.”
As a theatre student, Wendy says her production assignments grew progressively difficult over time, and in four and a half years, she became strong enough to handle a mainstage scenic design and manage the largest production the department had mounted in a decade.
“While stage managing the Theatre department’s production of Cabaret in 2012, I had the privilege of running a show in the Weidner Center for almost a thousand people each night,” Wendy says. “The anticipation as patrons filed in and solving hiccups during the show with my team while calling complex lighting cues was exhilarating and the apex of my college experience.”
However, managing a Weidner Center performance isn’t something one can tackle on their own, and Wendy is eternally grateful for the knowledge and guidance provided by UWGB’s Theatre faculty.
“The theatre department faculty had a tremendous impact on me,” Wendy insists. “Leading by example in theatrical craftsmanship and academics were Jeff Entwistle, Laura Riddle, Mike Ingraham, John Mariano, and Kaoime Malloy, who each in turn encouraged and pushed me through the barriers I had placed in myself, helping me discover a wealth of creativity, resolve, and leadership skills I hadn’t realized I already had.”
And when times got tough, UWGB supported Wendy in a different way.
“Counseling services is an invaluable resource of UW-Green Bay,” Wendy explains. “Dr. Ann Athorp-Krech helped me find the words to describe frustrations and painful times, and she helped me find specific actions to alleviate my stressors.”
Today, Wendy continues to transform theatres and stages, bringing her very own UWGB transformation story wherever she goes.
“I continue to successfully stage manage large shows due to the diverse and excellent foundation I built under the guidance of the UWGB Theatre faculty,” Wendy says. “I know I can always call to pick their brains about possible solutions, or rent materials to make it happen. And I have been able to work consistently since graduation, including a year-long pilgrimage to Colorado where I jumped right into a regional theatre and worked my way up.”
“I am very proud to be a UWGB Theatre alum,” Wendy says.
Name: Wendy A. Huber
Grad Year: 2012
Major: Technical Theatre and Design
Minor: Human Development
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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.