The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce the 2025 representatives of the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program: Isaac Schultz of Brillion High School and Greta Nolte of Fox Valley Lutheran High School. These nominees were first announced live at the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Showcase on Saturday, May 17, and will represent Northeast Wisconsin as one of 55 participating regional programs at The Jimmy Awards®/National High School Musical Theatre Awards® on Friday, June 13 through Tuesday, June 24 in New York City.
Throughout the 2024-25 school year, more than 2,100 students from a record 34 local high schools in Northeast Wisconsin participated in the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program.
Isaac and Greta were nominated among these for their leading performances at their high schools, and they were chosen through a separate audition to represent the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program at the national level. There, they will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals in a week of workshops, compete for scholarships, and perform on stage at the Minksoff Theatre – currently the Broadway home to Disney's The Lion King.
Greta Nolte was nominated for her performance as Kala in Fox Valley Lutheran High School's production of Tarzan and is a senior at Fox Valley Lutheran High School.
Isaac Schultz was nominated for his performance as Buddy in Brillion High School's production of Elf the Musical and is a senior at Brillion High School.
Recognition for the Influential Theater Educator was also given at the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Showcase on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The Influential Theater Educator recognition is given to an inspiring teacher who has displayed exceptional levels of commitment to students and other educators, making an outstanding impact on the performing arts and the theater community.
Kevin Spindler, director at New London High School, was recognized as the 2025 Influential Theater Educator. Spindler stepped up this year as both a director and music director of his school's production of Guys and Dolls. He implemented new organizational methods and opportunities that allowed his students to take ownership and responsibility in their production and crafts. He has completely revamped New London High's music program, and his students have commented especially on the impact of his encouragement and ability to make them each feel seen and supported.
ABOUT THE 2024-25 CENTER STAGE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAM
Throughout the 2024-25 school year, 34 local high schools participated in the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program, an education initiative that celebrates and supports the achievements of high school theater programs in Northeastern Wisconsin.
This year's participating high schools are: Appleton East, Ashwaubenon, Brillion, Chilton, De Pere, Denmark, Fox Valley Lutheran, Gibraltar, Green Bay East, Green Bay Southwest, Green Bay West, Hortonville, Howards Grove, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Luxemburg-Casco, Manitowoc Lincoln, Menasha, Mishicot, Neenah, New London, Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, Oshkosh North, Oshkosh West, Pulaski, Shawano Community, Sheboygan Falls, Southern Door, St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary Catholic, Two Rivers, Valders, Weyauwega-Fremont and Winnebago Lutheran Academy.
During the program year, participating students had the opportunity to attend workshops with professional artists, to ask questions and explore different aspects of theater, giving them a deeper understanding of the live performing arts industry, focusing on a variety of skills including dancing, acting, technical theater and hair and makeup.
A team of trained adjudicators attended the participating schools' musical productions and provided educational feedback. Scores for each production were tabulated, and applications were reviewed to determine the program recognition recipients. Participating schools and recognition recipients were celebrated when the program culminated in a red carpet, Tony Awards®-style showcase at the Center on May 17.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program is an education 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.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS
The Jimmy Awards®/The National High School Musical Theatre Awards® (NHSMTA®) program impacts approximately 150,000 students who participate in 55 regional high school musical theatre competitions sponsored by presenters of touring Broadway productions throughout the United States. Named for Broadway impresario James M. Nederlander, the program has been the catalyst for more than $6,000,000 in educational scholarships since its launch in 2009. Presented by The Broadway League Foundation, Inc., the NHSMTA invites two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that includes coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals. Nominees will spend ten days in New York City from Friday, June 13, 2025, through Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and their experience will culminate in an extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The sixteenth annual Jimmy Awards will take place on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Minskoff Theatre. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.
ABOUT THE FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural education organization located in downtown Appleton, provides a premier venue for live performing arts. Since 2002, the Center has proudly served as a multicultural gathering place for the community to engage in educational opportunities while enhancing a greater understanding and appreciation of life through the live performing arts. The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center — Where the Arts Come Alive!
