Tricia Matthews
Tricia Matthews has been a working actor most of her life and knew what she wanted to do when she was still in grade school in California.
“I’ve been involved in the arts for as long as I can remember. When I was in first grade the teacher asked us to draw a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up. I drew a picture of a singer on the stage. I performed in talent shows, choir and skits all through my grade school years. I was lucky to attend a high school that had a very extensive arts department. I started voice lessons, took drama classes, performed in plays and musicals, sang with the jazz band. I had a pretty good-sized resume by the time I graduated,” Matthews says.
She was born in Southern California to an elementary school principal and teacher. They loved the arts and placed a great deal of importance on education. Matthews started performing professionally before she graduated from California State University, Fullerton.
She worked all over the state of California then moved to New York City and became a “struggling artist.” While building her career, she took temp jobs to help pay the bills. In New York, she did word processing, office jobs and waitressing. In California, she worked at a digital watch factory, a rain bird factory and a print shop. In Florida, she worked for a landscaper, did taxes and was on the opening team for Universal Studios, while earning a MFA at Florida State University at Asolo.
While she was working on a show in Arkansas, she met a musical director who worked at Barter Theatre. She auditioned for Barter for five years before she became part of the team in 2005.
“I have been a working actor most all of my life. I’ve been lucky to have been able to maintain a life in the theater. Granted never a wealthy one, never rich or famous, but I have survived. I bought a small modest house in Abingdon, not an easy task for an actor, thank you Barter. I share that house with my partner, two cats and a dog.
“I think the challenges of pursuing and struggling for this career have made me a better artist and human. The highlights have been many, and they too have helped me grow. I don’t believe an artist’s life should ever just be handed to you. That’s too easy. I learned a big lesson when I was a kid running the 50-yard dash. Race against people who are faster, and you will get a better time. My highlights and challenges have come when I worked with people who made me do better, made me want to do better. The highlights are in the challenges,” she says.
Matthews not only acts at Barter, she also directs and is the acting coach. She teaches acting, and voice and diction at East Tennessee State University. She has also appeared in film, television and commercials.
One act that many people don’t know about Matthews is her generosity.
“In 1996 I had the rare and wonderful opportunity to donate bone marrow, twice. A 5-year-old boy who had a rare blood disease needed a bone marrow transplant. I had joined the Bone Marrow Registry two years before and was a match so they called and asked if I would be willing to donate. Of course, I said yes. The transplant was successful so when his younger brother, who was stricken with the same disease took a turn for the worse, they called and asked if I’d be willing to donate again. Thankfully it was successful again and today they are wonderful young men and cured of their disease. I met them and their family for the first time in 1997 on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and we remain close and in touch to this day,” she says.
Her father recently passed away and she is unsure what that will do to her future. “I need to rethink some things. But I look forward to new opportunities and more growth.
“The arts teach acceptance. They open your mind to other people’s lives and situations and thoughts. They help you to see the world in broader strokes and with more compassion and to look for the beauty around you and in others. The arts can also help you to see yourself in different ways, to let loose, to explore your own feelings and passions. I believe the arts and artists are vital to the human experience.
“To be recognized for my work as an artist in this community is a great honor. In general, I think every artist works from the heart and follows their passions and love for the art. When that passion and love is awarded - well, it’s like icing on the cake,” Matthew says.
