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Matt Schicker
A native of Fort Knox, Ky., Matt grew up in Michigan and went to high school at Interlochen Arts Academy (where he won the Young Artist award). He attended the University of Michigan and served as a vocal coach at the university's School of Music before coming to New York, where he worked as a classical clerk at Borders Books & Music before joining Juilliard originally as an acquisitions assistant in the library.
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| Matt Schicker (left) as Oberon in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. (Photo by Jung Lin) |
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What do you remember about your first day at Juilliard? It was August 1999, and the renovation of the library hadn't been completed, so we still were working out of what is now the faculty lounge. Things were a little frantic, but it was nice to move eventually into the newly renovated work room.What job at Juilliard would you like to try out for a day and why?I'd like to be a student. When I was in school, I had a hard time concentrating on my classes; I was too busy performing outside of school and preferred practical experience. Now I'd like to go back and take the classes over again, because I finally want to learn those things, not just party and have fun.What is the most memorable job you've ever had?I loved being a dishwasher at a restaurant in Ann Arbor. It was nice to be totally anonymous and low-man-on-the-totem-pole, as I was performing all the time and always under pressure to be full of energy and constantly "on."If out of the blue your boss said to take the day off, what would you do with your free time?I would go to Robert Moses State Park and then come home in the evening and play X-Box.Are you still involved in the arts, and if so, how do you balance that with your job?I'm a theater director and also an actor, singer, and pianist. One of the best things about my Juilliard job is that it allows me the flexibility to work at the theater as well. I've directed 11 shows and produced two musicals and two play festivals in the past two years. I'm also trying to find more time to perform.What kind of performances do you prefer to attend and why?My partner and I try to see the Broadway and Off-Broadway shows that interest us or that we have friends in, but that kind of theater has become incredibly expensive. I also go to a lot of jazz and classical performances and some operas.What other pursuits are you passionate about?I have a big CD collection, mostly jazz and classical, but a lot of shows, pop vocals, R&B, and classic rock as well. My partner and I love roller-coasters. I have an online discography for the jazz singer-pianist Shirley Horn and am a Keith Jarrett Trio fanatic.What was your favorite vacation? We traveled through Denmark, Germany, and Austria four years ago, which was really amazing. I would love to go back to Denmark again; the people were so friendly and relaxed. In Germany we stayed for a while in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where Richard Strauss lived up in the Alps, which was so beautiful, and toured Ludwig's castles.What is your proudest accomplishment in life?My work with the Gallery Players, an Off-Off Broadway theater in Park Slope, where I live, has been really rewarding. I'm a member of the board, and I produce a new play festival there each June. Last season I also produced an award-winning production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and directed You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. This fall I'll be producing a production of Hair, and next May we'll be giving the first New York revival of The Full Monty.What might people be surprised to know about you?I used to play the carillon in downtown Ann Arbor everyday, which was fun because the carillon is one instrument where everyone has to listen to you practice, whether they like it or not!
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