Student Spotlight: Matt Freeman

Freeman merits award from ACTF

By: John Dunphy

Posted: 1/29/04

Few students at the College can be said to have made a name for themselves on a national level. Granted, the esteemed faculty's work is recognized by members of their respective field of interest across the nation, but how often is it that a sophomore student can catch the eyes of students and faculty members of other colleges from across the country? While most of the College's students were sleeping in and lounging around the house, Matt Freeman '06 managed to capture the attention of students and faculty alike from all over the country.

During Winter Break, the College was host to the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). A series of performances and competitions were arranged while many students of the College either performed or volunteered their time over break to help ensure that this prestigious event ran smoothly.

Freeman was given the responsibility of taking charge of the volunteer work. He acted as a supervisor over concessions, loading sets and other such necessary functions. Freeman was also a liaison between the guest schools and the different competitions. It was essentially a job that required him to be in several places at once, but you would have never guessed the amount of responsibility from the ease with which he carried out his task.

After the competition was over, it was widely agreed by the members of the guest schools that the College had made the festival the best it had ever been; this was largely in part because of Freeman's tireless effort to do all that he was capable of doing.

Freeman's work did not go unrecognized by the group. The members in charge of ACTF presented Freeman with an award for his uncanny management of the festivities. This is the first time an award like this has been given and even the actual name of it is still unknown. "I've heard of it as the First Ever National Management Student Award," laughed Freeman as several people shouted that it should be called the "Matt Freeman Award." Whatever the title, Matt has truly proven himself to his friends and colleagues.

Freeman is currently a Theater major with concentrations in both Acting and Directing. He wants eventually to work on creating a self-designed major in Theater Administration. Although the Theater department currently does not offer this as a concentration, Freeman appears to be willing to pave the way for other students with a similar interest.

He is currently the Public Relations Executive Board Member for the Muhlenberg Theater Association (MTA) and considers that to be his greatest achievement at the College.

Freeman is also helping to start the first ever online newsletter sponsored by the MTA. It will be sent out to of alumni of the College. The newsletter will be sent out once per semester and its purpose is to introduce new people to the staff and keep different alumni alerted to what is going on at the College.

Freeman also does community outreach for MTA, and he is no stranger to the stage. He has made a mark in front as well as behind the lights. "I perform on every occasion. I dabble in that. I've been involved in a main-stage production every semester that I've been here."

Freeman has truly made the most of his time here. "I'm grateful for the opportunities that I've been given. As a sophomore, it really means a lot to me." He hopes to continue his education and soak up all the school can offer him.

Students that were asked stated that Freeman was one of the greatest and most influential members of the MTA. He has also made an imprint on his classes. It is hard to find someone that is so dependable and yet willing to make time for his friends.

Following his career here at the College, Freeman plans on attending graduate school. Once his education is complete, he intends to either start his own theater group or find a pre-existing group and work his way up the ranks. If his life at the College is any prediction, Freeman is sure to have a very successful career.