Nick Seidler, coordinator of special on-campus event setup & support, established long-standing partnership with various movie studios back in 1999 when they would send free tickets to college campuses encouraging students to attend new screenings. Seidler often still hears from the movie studios asking him about Milwaukee/events in the area and he lends his expertise often also involving MSOE students and alumni in the studio’s special events.

When Hugh Jackman and director Craig Brewer came to Milwaukee for the premiere of their movie "Song Sung Blue," which is based on a true story of a Milwaukee couple who formed a Neil Diamond tribute band, Seidler, MSOE students and alumni supported Focus Features with their Milwaukee events. Tasks included helping with ticketing, managing lines and supporting the actors in their appearances around the Milwaukee area. 

One of those appearances was at Kopp's Frozen Custard. Brewer and Jackman stopped by to serve Wisconsin custard to fans, posing for photos with them at the counter.  Siedler and MSOE students helped with the line and passed out “Song Sung Blue” hats to fans waiting in the cold. He also got to take his photo and chat with Jackman.

The movie premiere was held later that same evening at the Oriental Theatre located on Milwaukee’s east side. The ‘blue carpet’ rolled out featuring stars from the film. MSOE alumni and current students helped with the press and other guests attending the event.

“It was wonderful to see Milwaukee get recognized for the top-tier international city that it is,” said Nick Seidler.  “The city has so much to offer and the quaint midwestern feel gives you the best of both small-town personal friendships and kindness with big city excitement and opportunities.”

In addition to Seidler, the current students and alumni who helped with the event were:

• Nick Bove, sophomore, marketing major
• Abigail Leathers, freshman, mechanical engineering major
• Julia Grin, freshman, mechanical engineering major
• Gavin Dreher, freshman, computer engineering major
• Francheska Davis, sophomore, industrial engineering major
• Patrick Rideout, junior, industrial engineering major
• Libby (Donohew) Shea ’16, software engineering
• Brandon Shea, ’16, masters, structural engineering