The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is proud to announce Greta Nolte and Isaac Schultz made their debut on a Broadway stage at the 16th annual The Jimmy Awards®/National High School Musical Theatre Awards®. The national showcase was hosted by Josh Groban.
Greta Nolte of Fox Valley Lutheran High School and Isaac Schultz of Brillion High School were nominated for their leading performances in their high school musicals and a subsequent audition process to represent Northeastern Wisconsin through the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program.
As part of the National High School Musical Theatre experience, Greta and Isaac joined more than 100 fellow high school students from across the country who had the opportunity to learn from Broadway professionals. They spent 10 days in workshops and rehearsals leading up to the June 23, 2025 performance at the Minskoff Theater (currently the Broadway home to Disney's The Lion King). The duo also visited Times Square, where they saw their headshots prominently displayed, and enjoyed dinner at the famous Carmine's restaurant and experienced Broadway's MJ The Musical.
"My favorite part of the Jimmys has been getting to meet so many amazing people," Greta said. "It's absolutely a dream to work with all these talented and hardworking humans. And it absolutely fills my heart to perform with everyone here."
Greta Nolte was nominated for her performance as Kala in Fox Valley Lutheran High School's production of Tarzan and is a recent graduate of Fox Valley Lutheran High School. She plans to study at Martin Luther College in Minnesota.
"My favorite part of the Jimmys... has been the coaching sessions because it allowed me to see the talent other students across the country have, and it was very special knowing that I was one of those students," said Isaac.
Isaac Schultz was nominated for his performance as Buddy in Brillion High School's production of Elf the Musical and is a recent graduate of Brillion High School. He plans to study at UW-Madison.
Both students performed in the Feature Group Number "Ready to Rise" at The Jimmy Awards.
"We’re proud to celebrate the many talented students in our region as represented by Greta and Isaac. Their exceptional work has secured them a spot representing our region nationally," said the Fox Cities P.A.C.'s President and CEO Maria Van Laanen. "The opportunity to learn from Broadway professionals in New York, alongside fellow students who share a love for theater, creates unforgettable experiences and lifelong lessons. It’s been a privilege to see these two students represent our region and the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program, and we can’t wait to see where their talents and dreams take them."
ABOUT THE 2024-25 CENTER STAGE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER PROGRAM
Throughout the 2024-25 school year, more than 2,100 students from 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 focusing on a variety of skills including dancing, acting, technical theater and hair and makeup with professional artists, and ask questions and explore different aspects of theater, giving them a deeper understanding of the live performing arts industry.
This season marked the 9th year of the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program building confidence, collaboration and creativity while supporting and celebrating the achievements of high school musical theater throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Participating high school students share their talents with the community at the end of each season in an evening of performances, recognition and a Tony Awards®-style red carpet experience at the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Showcase.
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 invited two nominees from each local regional ceremony to New York City for a rigorous theatre intensive that included coaching sessions, training, and rehearsals led by some of Broadway’s most accomplished professionals. Nominees spent ten days in New York City from Friday, June 13, 2025, through Tuesday, June 24, 2025, and their experience culminated in an extraordinary talent showcase performed live in front of an audience on a Broadway stage. The sixteenth annual Jimmy Awards will took place on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Minskoff Theatre. For more information, please visit www.JimmyAwards.com.
ABOUT 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!
