Our Stories

For Avery Moureau, the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program was more than just a high school experience, it was the start of a journey that built confidence, skills, and lifelong connections.

Avery, a 2024 graduate of Green Bay Southwest High School, participated in the program during their senior year and earned an Honorable Mention for their performance as Mr. Hawkins in The Prom: The Musical. They credit the experience for sparking growth both on and off the stage, from learning choreography and sound board operations to discovering new confidence as a performer.

After graduation, Avery attended UW-Green Bay for a semester. Today, they share their passion with the next generation as an Acting Director at a local Green Bay middle school, while also offering lessons to local theater students on vocal confidence and character development.

Avery says one of the most valuable takeaways from the Center Stage Program was learning to trust themselves. “You know the music, you know the dance,  don’t second guess yourself,” they shared. “It’s all about being confident in what you know.”

Beyond skill-building, Avery believes the program gives high school students a glimpse into what pursuing theater at a higher level can look like  while also offering a welcoming space to grow and belong. One of their favorite memories is cheering on friends who went on to perform at the Jimmy Awards in New York, a reminder of how far dedication and community can take you.