It can take years to feel at home in a new city. Matt Tedesco, however, has cracked the code on expediting the process of feeling “settled in”: volunteer at the local theater!
Matt made several moves across the country for education and finally, work. His learning path landed him in Davis, California for his undergraduate degree, then Durham, North Carolina for Master’s and Ph.D. programs. He jetted to the Baltimore area to begin his career, and he now lives south of the city and works for Northrop Grumman.
Matt is an engineer by trade, but a musician at heart, so he made it a priority to seek out a local theater or arts organization soon after his arrival at each locale. Doing so has enabled him to quickly build community and knowledge of each local cultural scene. Taking recommendations from fellow volunteers, he has enjoyed visiting venues and restaurants that might otherwise have taken him years to discover. Volunteering through the Hippodrome Foundation gives him a reason to come into the city, and a chance to explore its neighborhoods while he’s here.
Serving as a volunteer usher also gives Matt a sense of pride as a representative of each new hometown. He views his role at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center as much more than just guiding patrons to their seats; it’s a chance to enhance their experience with conversation, to make certain their needs are met so they can fully enjoy themselves, and to ensure they leave the theater with a smile on their faces.
Originally a saxophonist, Matt became a multi-instrumentalist – a master of the “reed forest” – to be able to play in pit orchestras. In the pit, all of the woodwind parts are typically covered by just a couple of musicians. Though it can feel hectic to juggle an oboe, a clarinet, and a saxophone part, Matt loves the escape from his daily concerns, and the enjoyment of accompanying a show.
The music is Matt’s favorite element of Broadway, so it’s no surprise that his top three shows are Hamilton, Hadestown, and Six. He’s also psyched for the return of Wicked to the Hippodrome this season. Look for Matt and his wife Megan at Saturday matinee shows, fittingly in the high-traffic area of Orchestra aisles two and three – either in the house or by the door. When you spot him, check out his collection of show pins – those representing his favorites will be closest to his heart!
And, if you’ve got the bandwidth, Matt encourages anyone: “Come join us! If you think it’s something you would enjoy, sign up to do it. It’s not that hard, it’s fun, and you’re giving back to an amazing community.”
Here at the Hippodrome Foundation, we agree! Thank you, Matt, for your outstanding service through our volunteer usher program, which helps make visitors’ experience of attending a show at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center truly exceptional.
Click here to learn how to become a Volunteer Usher, and click here to make a donation to HFI.