Born and raised in Middleton, Idaho, Matthew Crane (BA, Music Education, 2015; BA, Media Arts, 2018) always had a passion for music. Growing up with summer camps on campus that enhanced his musical abilities, a dream of becoming a music educator and, of course, watching the iconic football games played on The Blue, his choice to pursue his degree at Boise State University only felt natural.
During his time as a student, Crane gained a close connection with the Morrison Center for Performing Arts, playing for productions and even taking a job as a stagehand. His experience would go on to assist him in his future career, not only teaching him technical skills, but also inspiring trust in himself, setting him up for success.
“When I started, I was pretty young, but they trusted me with a lot, and that was pretty great,” Crane recounted. “I didn’t feel like I was competing with a lot of people because the community was there, and that’s what was great about being here.”
After he graduated from Boise State, he pursued jobs at the Boise Philharmonic and other arts organizations. He later returned to the Morrison Center, which inspired him to go back to school to get another bachelor’s degree in media arts.
Crane now serves as the assistant audio technician for the North American tour of “MAMMA MIA!”, exploring new cities and bringing joy to thousands of people on a weekly basis. He also resided in New York City for six months when “MAMMA MIA!” reopened on Broadway at the show’s original Winter Garden Theatre.
Back on tour, he recently revisited the Morrison Center, this time as a guest in the familiar space.
“It was a little surreal,” Crane said. “I am lucky because I know all the little quirks about this building. I know all the back passageways. So that made it really easy … it really does feel like home. I spent so much time in this building that it’s really nice to return and be a guest, but still feel like I never left.”
By Kelli Perry, student communications specialist for the Boise State University Foundation