Debate at UWM: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders will go head-to-head after close race in Iowa

MILWAUKEE -- It was all eyes on Iowa on Monday night, February 1st -- and next week, on February 11th, it will be all eyes on Milwaukee. A Democratic presidential debate will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

After the Iowa caucus left Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders separated by only a handful of votes late into the night, experts say there's now more focus on the upcoming debate in Milwaukee than ever.

Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts

The Democratic National Committee (DNC)-sanctioned debate will be held in the Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts.

NewsHour co-anchors and managing editors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff will moderate the PBS NewsHour Democratic Primary Debate, to be broadcast nationwide by PBS and WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public television station in the nation’s capital.

In addition to the national live broadcast on PBS, the debate — produced in cooperation with Milwaukee Public Television and WUWM 89.7 FM — will be streamed online atpbs.org/newshour .

The debate will begin at 8:00 p.m.

Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts

"It's gotten pretty frenetic around here," Kim Cosier, associated dean of the Peck School of the Arts at UWM.

Clinton and Sanders will go head-to-head at UWM next Thursday evening.

"They're actually going to be constructing a set," Cosier said.

Bernie Sanders

Preparations are underway. Classrooms and offices are being cleaned and cleared ahead of this big night. This will be the first time UWM hosts a national political debate.

"It's disruptive, but we're happy to be part of history," Cosier said.

It is a debate Mordecai Lee, a professor at UWM says will likely get a lot of attention -- especially following the close results in Iowa.

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton won for the Democratic Party -- according to final results from the Iowa Democratic Party, edging Bernie Sanders after the two were separated by just a handful of votes late into the night.

"I think everything has changed. This debate is really important because it is telling us that the Democratic race for the nomination is going to be a long race. You might say, the real race for president started (Monday) night (in Iowa)," Lee said.

"The pressure's on, now isn't it?" Cosier said.

The transformation of the Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts will begin on Wednesday, February 3rd following a chancellor's address.

Helen Bader Concert Hall

Tickets for the debate are being distributed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party, the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton and Sanders campaigns.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders