Our Stories

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

Anika is truly excited to be a student ambassador for the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program. She was inspired by her choir director Mrs. Meyer because Mrs. Meyer saw Anika’s love for journalism and musical theater, and then gave Anika the opportunity to utilize both of her interests when nominated for the program. Mrs. Meyer’s belief in her inspired her to become an ambassador. Anika was very excited to learn about the workshops and other opportunities provided in this program. Musical theater has always played a big role in her life, and she wants to learn more about the inner workings of as many shows as she can.  She is also excited for the Center Stage Showcase and her role in putting it together.

This year, Anika was featured in the ensemble for her school’s musical, Footloose. She played a Cop and an adult ensemble member. She has been involved in theater for two years now and has loved it because it allows her to have a sense of catharsis.

When she’s on stage, whether singing or acting, she says it allows her to be somewhere else, and she can feel all types of emotions. It gives her a creative outlet that she says she hasn’t been able to do anywhere else. It also has given her a community in which she has been able to develop close friendships.

Anika says her favorite show she has participated in has to be the one from this school year, Footloose. She enjoys having a bigger role than she had in previous years, and she also enjoys the music featured in this show. She believes that the overall story can be applied to our modern day as well: Giving kids opportunities to have creative outlets is very important. She says she believes the metaphor for the kids not being able to dance can be applied to contemporary society.

Anika was asked to give advice to students who are afraid to join theater, and she said that it seems scary at first, but once you’re on the stage, it is one of the best moments ever. It allows you to be someone else, go somewhere else, and bring your true self out.

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.