GRAND CHUTE, WI – In the auditorium of Kaukauna High School, a group of students stands poised on stage, a mix of nervous energy and budding confidence in the air. The opening notes of a high-energy jazz piano piece fill the space, and they begin to dance. This is “Jazz Fever,” the 2024-25 project for the Frank C. Shattuck Performing Arts Touch the Hearts of Students (P.A.T.H.S.) Program, an initiative that is changing local students’ lives through the power of the arts.
The P.A.T.H.S. program, a partnership with the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, annually engages a group of students with ‘yet to be activated potential’, helping them step out of their comfort zones and into the spotlight. Through hands-on workshops, interactions with professional artists, and the thrill of live Broadway theater, the program introduces students to character-building themes, community awareness, and new forms of self-expression.
This year’s “Jazz Fever” project is inspired by the hit Broadway musical Some Like It Hot. Students have been learning choreography to a number from the show, exploring themes of self-love and acceptance along the way.
“They start off very nervous,” says Amber Ortega, an educator at Kaukauna High School who has witnessed the program’s transformative power for years. “Any chance we can allow my students to step outside their comfort zone and find something new about themselves and experience something new… that’s always a very rewarding experience, not only for the kids, but for the adults in the room who get to watch them evolve.”
To bring the dance to life, the P.A.C.’s Education Programs Manager, Sammi Steltzl, enlisted Katie Nooyen, owner and director at Encore Dance Academy. “It was really, really cool to watch their growth,” Nooyen shared. “I’m just so proud of and impressed by how far they’ve come, not just dance-wise, but personally too, and kind of opening up and trusting.”
For many students, the initial thought of performing was daunting. “I was telling myself that I would just not come to practices,” one student admitted. “But then I ended up actually loving it.”
That sentiment was echoed by many of her peers. “My experience was very fun,” said Niina, a participating student. “I liked spending time with the people and getting to know the teacher that was teaching us, and I really liked her enthusiasm about the whole thing.”
Another student, Sequoia, highlighted the program’s welcoming environment. “A lot of people don’t get to experience things in their high school life, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everybody who is scared to do huge things. [We] had this little group that [we] could join and just make people feel comfortable.”
The program’s impact extends beyond the final performance. It instills valuable life lessons. “If we were able to show ourselves that we can have consistency for this, why not be able to bring the consistency to something else?” reflected student Chasity.
The culmination of their weeks of practice was a performance for their teachers and cameras, a moment to showcase their hard work. For some, it sparked a newfound confidence. “I kind of liked it, like being in front of an audience,” said student Sirley. “And I wonder how it would feel in front of a bigger audience.”
As a reward for their dedication, the students were treated to dinner and a performance of the 12-time Tony-nominated musical Some Like It Hot at the Fox Cities P.A.C. For most, it was their first time experiencing a live Broadway show.
Past P.A.T.H.S. projects have been equally inspiring, including “Changed for Good,” based on the theme of self-discovery in Wicked, and “Raise Your Voice,” a songwriting project inspired by Once. Each project is carefully designed to connect with the themes of a visiting Broadway show, promoting positive messages of acceptance, respect, and chasing one’s dreams.
Ortega believes the program’s influence will be felt for years to come. “The opportunities that we give kids through partnerships like the one with the [Fox Cities] P.A.C., we’re rewriting that family story about education, and we’re turning it from something that may be a negative experience to something positive, which lasts for generations.”
Through programs like P.A.T.H.S., the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and its partners are not just putting on a show; they are building confidence, fostering community, and inspiring the next generation, one dance step at a time.
More information about the program can be found at: https://foxcitiespac.com/community-impact/paths/
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