Capitol Now

After conducting an extensive search, Matthew Schliesman joins the Capitol Civic Centre as its new Executive Director with a long and colorful history of working in both the nonprofit and for-profit arts and entertainment communities. A proud Wisconsin native, Matt was born and raised in Racine, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he completed double majors in Theatre and Communications. A decade later, Matt returned to UW-Whitewater as an Assistant Professor of Theatre following his completion of a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri. Since leaving the faculty at Whitewater, Matt has funded an annual scholarship there, and has returned to the campus to lecture and make presentations on a number of occasions. In 1999 he was named a UW-Whitewater Distinguished Alumnus.

“We are extremely pleased that our extensive search for a new Executive Director of the Capitol Civic Centre has given us the opportunity and good fortune to bring Matt Schliesman to the community in the capacity of Executive Director of the Capitol,” said John L. Sadowski, Board President. “Matt’s knowledge and vast experience in senior level business positions in entertainment and the arts will make him a valuable asset to our organization. We expect his leadership and skills to keep the CCC what it is: the ‘Jewel of the Lakeshore’.”

Matt spent many years managing and producing theme park entertainment for several major companies, including Knott’s Berry Farm, Paramount Parks, and the Marriott Corporation. At Knott’s he rose to the position of Vice President of Entertainment and was named to the corporate partnership. Matt led a significant production and special events program at Knott’s, acting as senior administrative officer for the entertainment division and functioning as Executive Producer/Artistic Director. 

Concurrent with his work at Knott’s, Matt was a four-term committee chair for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), where he developed outreach programs for entertainment professionals from around the world and founded the “BIG-E” Entertainment Awards. Later, Matt also served on the boards of the AIDSWALK of Greater Long Beach and the California Writers Club of the San Fernando Valley. 

Following his tenure at Knott’s Berry Farm, Matt worked as a freelance writer, director, producer and business consultant to arts and entertainment clients around the country.  He also has developed his own projects – a variety of solo and collaborative efforts – for the literary, film and television markets. In 2008 he accepted a management position at Covenant House California, a shelter and assistance program for homeless young adults, after volunteering there for several years. He ran their educational and employment services department until accepting the position as Executive Director of the Capitol Civic Centre.

In a statement recently shared with the Board President, Schliesman said, “This is a great move for me; I am very happy to be back in Wisconsin and I am very excited about my role with the Capitol Civic Centre. I really look forward to being part of the Manitowoc community.”  

With family and friends throughout the state of Wisconsin, Matt had been looking to return home for several years, with the goal of finding new opportunities to build community and return to the work he enjoys most: the discovery, creativity, and joy found through facilitating and experiencing the arts.