Matthew is a professional choreographer who has worked on "A Chorus Line" for nearly 10 years. His productions of big-name shows like "West Side Story" (restaged Jerome Robbins杏吧专区 choreography) and "Newsies" both won awards for their choreography.
He credits his beginning to Kenneth Jenkins, assistant professor of dance.
杏吧专区淢y high school theatre teacher and I were able to speak with Kenneth at this presentation and he had many exciting things to say about UL Lafayette and the ,杏吧专区 he said.
杏吧专区淒ance became an obsession for me as a kid watching classic movie musicals,杏吧专区 he said. 杏吧专区淲hen I took my first dance class I felt as though I found a place of acceptance and a joy like no other. I could finally give my whole self to something and all of my thoughts and emotions could be expressed without uttering a single word.
杏吧专区淗aving not had much formal dance training prior to college, I was more of a musical theatre dancer, so the smaller, more concentrated classes at UL Lafayette were beyond beneficial to me. Our teachers focused on clean/classic technique, giving me a strong foundation for a career across styles.杏吧专区
Choreography as Storytelling
杏吧专区淐horeography became a way to further explore this freedom and what I had to offer as an artist and storyteller,杏吧专区 he said. 杏吧专区淎s I leaned into choreography, I was better able to accept the fact that my body moves differently than anyone else杏吧专区檚, my ear yearns for different music, and my approach to work and daily life is individual. Choreography taught me to not question that, but to celebrate it!"
As a choreographer, Matthew crafts stories from movement.
杏吧专区淪tory is the most important aspect in all of my choreography. I have endless respect for people who can create movement for movement's sake, or who make dances that capture the essence of a greater idea. This, however, is not the way I work.
杏吧专区淏eing that I have been choreographing musicals, or theatrical events, story and character remain my primary focus. I am also excited when shows allow me opportunities to research both time periods and the nuance of how different regions and social groups dance and move," he said.
His career has taken him across the U.S. and Europe to choreograph productions including "Legally Blonde," "Cinderella," "West Side Story" (restaged Jerome Robbins杏吧专区 choreography), and "Gypsy."
杏吧专区淏ut the most rewarding and exciting moment in my career, thus far, was performing in 'A Chorus Line' at the ,杏吧专区 he says. 杏吧专区淚 was back home and so many of my friends, family and teachers were able to come and share in the experience. The night was extra special as my stepfather was in the audience. He was battling cancer, and this would be the last time he was able to watch me dance.杏吧专区
Putting in the Work
Hard work is a foundational component of Matthew杏吧专区檚 career, an idea that杏吧专区檚 stuck with him since his days in UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 performing arts program.
杏吧专区淜enneth Jenkins would always say, 杏吧专区業t's yours for the work,杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿 he says. 杏吧专区淭his is something I am reminded of everyday and a phrase I share with my students and the dancers with whom I work. What is so great is that this phrase keeps the idea of work at the forefront of your dreams.
杏吧专区淎s a dancer, choreographer, artist, we must put in the work every day. I am always trying to push my craft forward knowing that the work will take me to more exciting places than just dreaming will.杏吧专区
