Meet your student ambassadors: All about Matthew (by Liliana)

January 28, 2025

The following article was written by Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program Student Ambassador Liliana, in collaboration with the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. 

Meet Matthew, one of our amazing 2024-2025 student ambassadors! Matthew is a senior at Kaukauna High School where he participates in both band and choir, playing the trumpet in band and singing tenor in choir. His participation in choir and band has allowed him many opportunities, such as being a part of concerts and going to Bucks games in the Jazz band where his school would perform for their community. This isn’t the only community band he is involved in, however; he is also involved in Little Chute’s community band. 

Outside of performing, he enjoys being on the Kaukauna High School Forensics Team as the team captain. With forensics, he is able to get to know more people as well as hang out with existing friends. Matthew’s interest in becoming an ambassador revolves around his love for theater and his goal to pursue a job within the business and marketing field. Matthew wishes to give back to Center Stage for the wonderful opportunities he has been able to experience with the program. For the past four years, Matthew has taken part in the Student Rush Program that Center Stage offers to high school students. This program allows students to go to the box office before the show and buy any of the seats that are left for $35 each.

The student rush ticket offers make it easy to see a professional production, especially for those who don’t have a part-time job.
Matthew, 2024-25 Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program Student Ambassador

Matthew explains that he was able to have so many experiences at the Fox Cities P.A.C. due to the Student Rush Program, whether he went alone or with friends, it made it easy for him to see different shows. Another thing he enjoys about Center Stage is how the program recognizes high school productions. The program allows leads and ensembles to perform for other schools, audience members, and members of the community. His favorite performances that take place during the Center Stage recognitions are the ensemble dance numbers that each of the nominated high school ensembles performs for the audience.

When asked what musical he would wish to be a part of, Matthew explains that he would love to be a part of the ensemble for Wicked. He would often listen to the soundtrack, even when he was a kid, and he adores the musical as a whole. Lastly, one thing that Matthew would tell his younger self is to go for any opportunity. 

Don’t be nervous or anxious about what people will think or how good you will be, whatever happens, it is worth it and the worst thing they can say is no.
-Matthew, 2024-25 Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program Student Ambassador

The Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program is an educational initiative of the Fox Cities P.A.C. with support from corporate partner Fox Communities Credit Union. Additional partners in this program include Johnson Financial Group, Nicolet National Bank, Angelo and Jennifer Ninivaggi, Schneider Foundation, Star98, WFRV, and Wipfli LLP. Programs like the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program are also supported in part by contributions to the Center’s Annual Partner Campaign.