Awareness through Performance (ATP)

...changing the world one performance at a time. 

We are Awareness through Performance. On our campus, we are not only students, but also change agents and leaders. We are committed. We are passionate. We are both learners and teachers. We are diverse in our identities and experiences and most importantly, we are willing to share our stories.

The mission of Awareness through Performance is to promote greater consciousness around social justice, diversity, and climate issues on the UWL campus and beyond. Using the stage as our forum, we creatively challenge systems of privilege and oppression and strive to plant seeds of social responsibility, inspire critical thought, and spark a campus-wide conversation.

To date, one of UWL's most successful, well-known, and far-reaching social justice/equity initiatives is Awareness through Performance (ATP), a program that promotes greater consciousness around campus climate and social justice issues on the UWL campus and beyond. Using the stage as their forum, a diverse troupe of 20 students come together to speak their truth, creatively challenge systems of privilege and oppression, and inspire critical thought and social responsibility across campus. Their culminating 90-minute performance promotes an inclusive campus environment and addresses issues of power, privilege, and oppression. Since its first debut in 2006, 78 performances have been offered to the La Crosse community, impacting over 2000 students, employees, and community members every year.

ATP Picture Collage

Want to join the movement?

Awareness through Performance (ATP) first debuted on the UWL campus in the fall of 2006. With its essence largely rooted in the concept of Performance Studies, where the message is placed above the delivery, ATP exists as an alternative outlet for social activism on campus. Currently, the Research and Resource Center for Campus Climate supports the development and delivery of three productions (6 student performances and 1 faculty/staff performance) during the academic year on the UWL campus.

The ATP Performance Troupe is comprised of students who share a passion for diversity and social justice issues and desire to further explore the dynamics of how these issues shape our world. Because of their commitment to gaining a greater understanding of the institutional oppressions and "isms" that affect all members of our community, these students come together to dialogue, research, reflect, write, and eventually perform real life experiences that touch on topics of racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, classism, heterosexism, gender expression and identity, privilege, hate, cultural differences, and more. Using the stage as their forum for educating, the performers creatively explore, examine and dissect issues that are present in today's society.

It is hoped that by watching these performances, audience members will increase their cross-cultural awareness, embrace a journey towards greater understanding, and become committed to tearing down the barriers in order to create inclusive communities. The performance is designed to begin or, for some, continue the dialogue about the difficult social issues that are presented even after the performance concludes.

ATP is indeed changing the world… one performance at a time.

ATP Polaroids

As a troupe, we convene for what we call, ATP development week; a very full week devoted to creating a social justice performance to share with the larger UWL campus community. The performance consists of scenes that explore a variety of social justice issues including privilege and oppression, racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, classism, religious privilege and oppression, hate and bias, and other issues of social identity. We put these scenes on center stage, in hopes of sparking a campus-wide conversation about the issues which affect all of us, individually and collectively.

During development week is all about the good stuff that transpires behind the scenes. We self-disclose, discuss, dialogue, and reflect upon our experiences as individuals and as a community. In turn, we transform our stories and conversations into scenes, weaving together our commonalities and differences in experiences. This process of "stories-to-scenes" is essential to the success and impact of our performances.

Calling all poets, artists, musicians, and performers: Embrace your inner activist and share your message of social justice, social awareness, and social action! 

ATP FULL DISCLOSURE. This is an open invitation from the Awareness through Performance troupe to all students, faculty, staff, and community members who are passionate about social justice and diversity issues. We are looking for spoken word pieces, slideshows, songs, short performances, and more!

open mic - people talking into mic

 Upcoming Open Mics:

• TBD

Interested in performing?
It is not necessary to sign up in advance; however, if you'd like to be guaranteed a spot, please complete our  Open Mic Interest Form.

ATP Playlist on UW-La Crosse YouTube:

people on stage, holding hands and wearing ATP t-shirts

Nominated for NACURH, Inc. September 2012 Diversity Program of the Month

Nominated for NACURH, Inc. September 2012 Organization of the Month

Proud Recipient of the 2012 Program of the Year Award by Wisconsin College Personnel Association (WCPA)

Voted 2012 Outstanding Diversity Program by Residence Hall Association Council (RHAC)

Voted "2010-11 Best All-Campus Educational Program of the Year" by Residence Hall Association Council (RHAC)

Nominated for the 2010-11 Outstanding Program by a Student Organization  
(Celebration of Leadership & Involvement)

Proud Recipient of the 2009 Program Achievement Award from the State Council on Affirmative Action  
and the Office of State Employment Relations

Nominated for the 2009 UW System Board of Regents Diversity Award by UWL

Nominated for the 2008 UW System Board of Regents Excellence Award by Academic Staff Council

Voted "2006-07 Best All-Campus Educational Program of the Year" Residence Hall Association Council (RHAC)