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Tag Archives: Matthew Hancock
NEW VIDEO: A backstage look behind the scenes of ‘Hype Man’ at Fountain Theatre
Posted in actors, African American, Arts, arts organizations, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Music, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, race, racism, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged African American, backstage, behind the scenes, Chad Addison, Clarissa Thibeaux, Deena Selenow, Fountain Theatre, hiphop, Hype Man, Idris Goodwin, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock, music, racsim, theater, theatre, urban, video
VIDEO: What is hip hop?
What is hip hop? A genre of music? A style of clothes? A way of life? Take a look.
In this West Coast Premiere of HYPE MAN by Idris Goodwin, a hip-hop trio is on the verge of making it big on national TV when a police shooting of a Black teen shakes the band to its core, forcing them to confront questions of race, gender, privilege and when to use their art as an act of social protest. When the Hype Man takes matters into his own hands, the ensuing beef exposes the long-buried rifts of race and privilege that divide them. Will it tear them apart or can they find a way to still breathe together?
Written by Idris Goodwin. Directed by Deena Selenow. Starring Chad Addison, Matthew Hancock, Clarissa Thibeaux. Starts Feb 23.
Posted in actors, African American, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Music, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, playwright, race, racism, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged Chad Addison, Clarissa Thibeaux, Deena Selenow, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Hype Man, Idris Goodwin, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock, music, rap, theater, theatre, West Coast Premiere
Meet the young cast of the West Coast Premiere of ‘Hype Man’ at Fountain Theatre
Matthew Hancock, Clarissa Thibeaux, Chad Addison in rehearsal for “Hype Man”
Three young actors. Different personal backgrounds. A trio of distinct professional credits in stage, TV and film. Somehow, under guidance from director Deena Selenow, they must instantly create a close bond to portray a rocketing hip hop band on the brink of national attention in the Fountain Theatre West Coast Premiere of Hype Man by Idris Goodwin, opening February 23.
Meet the talented cast of this funny, powerful and thought-provoking new “break beat play” the Boston Globe describes using “hip hop culture as a crucible where issues of racial identity, gender inequity, ambition, and friendship collide.”
Chad Addison
Originally from outside Boston, Chad Addison has been in LA for 13 years. He’s excited to be working in his first play with The Fountain Theatre and to be able to dive into such a poignant piece of art. Music has always been a passion for him, so it’s an honor to combine the two in such a way. He was last seen on stage in the play Connect at Theatre 68. Aside from theater, he’s been pursuing TV/Film. Some notable credits include FOX’s 9-1-1, Most Likely to Die (on Netflix), NCIS: New Orleans, Grimm, Grey’s Anatomy & Bones. He was also a producer/actor on the independent film Paint It Red, which is now streaming on demand.
Matthew Hancock
Matthew Hancock is excited to be back at the Fountain. Favorite theatre credits include: the Los Angeles premiere of the NAACP and Ovation Award nominated The Brothers Size (Oshoosi), I and You (Anthony), Trans Scripts (Zakia). Matthew has recurred on I’m Dying Up Here (Showtime), Emmy Nominated Giants (Youtube), Five Points (Facebook Watch). In addition, he has appeared in Snowfall (FX) and Prince of Peoria (Netflix) While not on the stage or in front of the camera, Matthew enjoys musical endeavors as Michael Siren. He is a LA Drama Critics Circle, Stage Raw award winner and Ovation Nominee for Hit the Wall (Carson). Matthew holds a BFA from Adelphi University (cum laude). To his incredibly supportive Family, Thank you. Follow Matthew on Instagram: @imatthewhancock.
Clarissa Thibeaux
Clarissa Thibeaux is an LA based actor/writer/producer working in television, film, theater, and new media. You can catch Thibeaux in Marvel’s Runaways as Xavin on Hulu. Previously, you may have seen Thibeaux in Echo Theatre Company’s production of The Found Dog Ribbon Dance as Trista, or in the horror films Flight 666, and Ice Sharks. She graduated with her B.A. in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University. Thibeaux currently resides in West Hollywood, CA enjoying every opportunity that comes her way.
Posted in actors, artist, Arts, arts organizations, casting, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Los Angeles, Music, new plays, performing arts, plays, race, racism, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, cast, casting, Chad Addison, Clarissa Thibeaux, Deena Selenow, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Hype Man, Idris Goodwin, Matthew Hancock, theater, theatre
VIDEO: Catch the beat of our west coast premiere of ‘Hype Man’ at Fountain Theatre
Posted in actors, artist, Arts, arts organizations, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Los Angeles, Music, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, playwright, race, racism, Social justice, Theater, theatre
Tagged break beat, Chad Addison, Clarissa Thibeaux, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Hype Man, Idris Goodwin, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock, theater, theatre
Video: Actors and director meet at first rehearsal for award-winning hip hop play ‘Hype Man’
Last night, the company of actors, director, design and production team for our upcoming West Coast Premiere of Hype Man gathered together for the exciting first rehearsal. After filling out paperwork and planning schedules, the cast read the script and the award-winning “break beat play” by Idris Goodwin came to life.
Social injustice, racial identity, gender inequity, career ambition and friendship converge — and collide — in Hype Man, directed by Deena Selenow.
Hype man Verb, played by Matthew Hancock (The Brothers Size, I and You at the Fountain, Honky at Rogue Machine, LADCC and Stage Raw awards for Hit the Wall), has been backing up front-man rapper Pinnacle (Chad Addison, seen in Connect, The Perfect Crime, My Plastic Girlfriend and more at Theatre 68) since they were kids. Adding beat maker Peep One (Clarissa Thibeaux of Echo Theater Company’s The Found Dog Ribbon Dance) to their group sparked a flame, and now the interracial trio is flexing serious hip-hop muscle. But when an unarmed black teenager is shot by police, it forces the group to navigate issues of friendship and race.
Opening night is set for a Feb. 23, with performances continuing through April 14.
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, designers, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, hip hop, Hollywood, Music, new plays, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, race, racism, stage, Theater, theatre
Tagged Chad Addison, Clarissa Thibeaux, Deena Selenow, Fountain Theatre, Hype Man, Idris Goodwin, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock
Fountain Theatre earns 4 NAACP Theatre Award nominations
Matthew Hancock and Jennifer Finch in “I and You”.
The Fountain Theatre’s acclaimed 2015 productions of Lauren Gunderson’s I and You and Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine have earned four NAACP Theatre Award nominations for productions presented between January – December, 2015.
The NAACP Theatre Awards is presented by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Branch in partnership with the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles City Council President/Councilmember District 10 Herb Wesson, Jr. and co-chaired by Byron K. Reed, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo-West Region Community Relations, and Jeffrey Rush of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
“We’re always pleased to be acknowledged by the NAACP theatre committee,” says Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs. “We have a long and successful history of supporting and presenting the work of a rich variety of artists on our stage. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of our artistic mission.”
‘Citizen: An American Lyric’ at the Fountain Theatre
The mission of the NAACP Theatre Awards is to entertain, educate, and inspire the community and create diversity in the arts and entertainment industry. To honor LA theatre artists and celebrate live theatre in Los Angeles.
This year, the Fountain Theatre has received the following nominations:
- Best Lead Male – Matthew Hancock, I and You
- Best Choreography – Anastasia Coon, Citizen: An American Lyric
- Best Lighting – Jeremy Pivnick, I and You
- Best Set Design – Tom Buderwitz, I and You
The awards show will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. More info.
Posted in African American, arts organizations, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, non-profit organization, performing arts, plays, Tennessee Williams, The Train Driver, theatre
Tagged Anastasia Coon, award, Beverly Hills, Citizen: An American Lyric, Claudia Rankine, Fountain Theatre, Herb Wesson, I and You, Jennifer Finch, Jeremy Pivnick, Lauren Gunderson, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock, NAACP Theater Awards, nominations, Saban Theatre, Stephen Sachs, Tom Buderwitz
PHOTO SLIDESHOW: First reading of new play on passionate and iconic 1960’s dancer
The upstairs rehearsal room at the Fountain last night was transported back to 1964 and Andy Warhol’s Factory with the first reading of the new play, Freddie, written by Fountain Co-Artistic Director Deborah Lawlor. Freddie tells the unforgettable true story of Frederick Herko, the young avant garde dancer who galvanized audiences and those who knew him in New York’s East Village during the turbulent 1960’s.
Frederick Herko 1964
Continuing its commitment to developing new plays, the reading last night offered Lawlor and the Fountain team the opportunity to hear the script read aloud by actors for the very first time. Reading the new play last night were actors Kristin Carey, Faith D’Amato, John Dyer, Harry Farmer, Dennis Gersten, Matthew Hancock, Rob Nagle, Natalie Ochoa, Erin Reed, and Donna Simone Johnson. The reading was directed by Frances Loy.
A dazzling storm of charisma, beauty and artistic passion, Herko was a brilliant 28 year-old dancer of extraordinary talent haunted by dark self-destructive demons. A fiery denizen of Andy Warhol’s Factory and the experimental scene in Greenwich Village, Herko became more eccentric, unpredictable and self-destructive. In 1964, while dancing in his apartment to Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Herko leapt out the window and fell to his death five stories down. Created by Deborah Lawlor, who was a close friend of Herko in the final year of his life, the project chronicles the blazing comet of the Icarus-like Freddie and the explosive creative energy of the 1960’s. By fusing theatre, music, and dance the project will capture the explosive spirit of a passionate artist and a turbulent era.
Freddie Herko
The development of Freddie is supported, in part, by a grant from the national Endowment for the Arts. A workshop presentation of the new work will be presented this fall.
Posted in actors, Arts, arts organizations, Dance, director, Drama, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, new plays, non-profit organization, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Andy Warhol, Dance, Deborah Lawlor, Dennis Gersten, Donna Simone Johnson, Erin Reed, Faith D'Amato, Fountain Theatre, Frances Loy, Freddie, Frederick Herko, Harry Farmer, John Dyer, Kristin Carey, Los Angeles, Matthew Hancock, Natalie Ochoa, National Endowment for the Arts, new plays, performing arts, plays, Rob Nagle, theater, theatre
Fountain Theatre earns 4 NAACP Theatre Award nominations for ‘The Brothers Size’
Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock, Theodore Perkins in ‘The Brothers Size’.
The Fountain Theatre’s acclaimed 2014 production of Tarell McCraney’s The Brothers Size has been nominated for 4 NAACP Theatre Awards. The Awards are presented annually by the Beverly Hills-Hollywood branch of the NAACP and are part of a four-day festival to honor outstanding people of color in theatre.
“We are always pleased and proud to be recognised by the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP theatre committee,” stated Fountain Co-Artistic Director Stephen Sachs. “It’s a continuing affirmation to our decades-long commitment to diversity on our stage.”
For this current Award cycle, the Theatre Viewing Committee considered productions from January to December of 2014. The Fountain’s 2014 Los Angeles Premiere of The Brothers Size earned the following four nominations:
- Best Playwright – Tarell Alvin McCraney
- Best Director – Shirley Jo Finney
- Best Choreography – Ameenah Kaplan
- Best Ensemble Cast – Gilbert Glenn Brown, Matthew Hancock, Theodore Perkins
“I am excited about combining the awards show and the festival because this platform will bring thespians and theatre lovers from across the country to the city of Los Angeles to enjoy the art that is theatre,” said Ron Hasson, president of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP. “The NAACP Theatre Awards Show represents an ever-growing theatre community in Los Angeles and we want to elevate this already highly recognized event in Los Angeles and heighten its visibility nationwide.”
Winners of the 25th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards will be announced on Sunday, March 6, 2016, at a press conference and reception at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. More Info
Posted in Acting, actors, African American, arts organizations, director, Fountain Theatre, Los Angeles, performing arts, plays, playwright, playwriting, Theater, theatre
Tagged actors, Ameenah Kaplan, Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP, Fountain Theatre, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Premiere, Matthew Hancock, NAACP, NAACP Theater Awards, Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, performing arts, plays, playwriting, Ron Hasson, Shirley Jo Finney, Stephen Sachs, Tarrell Alvin McCraney, The Brothers Size, theater, theatre, Theodore Perkins
Fountain Theatre wins 17 StageSceneLA Awards including Top Intimate Theatre
Matthew Hancock and Jennifer Finch in ‘I And You’.
Editor Steven Stanley today announced his recipients of the 2014-15 StageSceneLA Theatre Awards. The Fountain Theatre was awarded 16 citations for its 2014-15 productions of I And You, Reborning and Broomstick. Steven Stanley’s StageSceneLA.com has spotlighted the best in Southern California theater since 2007.
- The Year’s Top 8 Intimate Theatres – Fountain Theatre
- The Year’s Top 8 Productions, PLAY – I And You
- Outstanding Drama (Intimate Theater) Reborning
- Outstanding Production, Solo Performance Broomstick
- Ensemble Cast, Drama (Intimate Theatre) Reborning
- Performance in a Play Jennifer Finch, Matthew Hancock, I and You
- Lead Performance, Duo Ensemble, (Intimate Theatre) Jennifer Finch and Matthew Hancock, I and You
- Performance by a Lead Actress (Intimate Theatre) Joanna Strapp, Reborning
- Best Solo Performance Jenny O’Hara, Broomstick
- Direction of a Drama (Intimate Theatre) Simon Levy, Reborning
- Direction of a Comedy/Drama, (Intimate Theatre) Robin Larsen, I and You
- Direction of a Solo Performance Stephen Sachs, Broomstick
- Production Design (Intimate Theatre) Broomstick
- Composer of the Year Peter Bayne, Reborning
- Scenic & Properties Design of the Year Andrew Hammer (set) and Misty Carlisle (properties) for Broomstick
Click here for the full list of award recipients
To be eligible for a 2014-2015 Scenie, a production must have been one of the nearly 250 reviewed on StageSceneLA between September 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015.
Isa’s Intern Journal: The beauty of being close to another human being in ‘I And You’
Matthew Hancock and Jennifer Finch in ‘I And You’.
by Isabel Espy
One Friday night about a month ago, still in the process of interviewing for this internship, I came to the Fountain Theatre with two of my best friends to see my first show here: I and You. As soon as we entered the space I had the unsettling feeling that I had accidentally broken into a seventeen year-old’s bedroom. I was in complete awe at the level of detail and specificity of Tom Buderwitz’s set.
Before the actors had even appeared on stage, I already felt like I was getting to know a character – the room. The Fountain’s 78-seat theatre really allows the audience to feel as if they themselves are part of the play. The lighting and set design had already brought me thoroughly into the world of the play even before the house lights were completely dimmed.
Then the actors stepped on stage. All my attention shifted from admiring the posters on the walls and the string of fairy lights behind the bed, because suddenly I was in the story. As I sat through the performance I could hear my friends laugh and gasp as they followed the action. At one point, all three of us gasped in perfect unison.
I And You is 100% contemporary, referencing Instagram and Facebook right and left, making jokes anyone with any online presence can relate to. Yet, while social media plays a deep role in the piece, the issues that it brings up are universal to all, digitally savvy or otherwise. It is a play that deals with the fragility of true human connection. We have all been there. We have all had those moments of difficulty, felt the pain of isolation, the embarrassment of being vulnerable to another person, and the beauty of being close to another human.
Jennifer Finch and Matthew Hancock
I won’t give anything away, but I can tell you that as we left the theatre both of my friends’ faces had the telltale wetness of cathartic tears. On our drive back to Westwood (with a quick stop at Chipotle for a post-show treat) we couldn’t stop talking about the play. I and You ends its run this weekend, and if you still have a chance, I would definitely recommend getting your butt over to the Fountain Theatre!
Final 2 performances: Saturday, June 20th @ 8pm; Sunday, June 21st @ 2pm.
Isabel Espy is the Fountain Theatre’s Summer Arts Intern from UCLA.
