Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Sparacino

Hi Matthew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I’m an actor, theatre artist, educator, writer and activist with over a decade of experience creating art in Washington, DC. I grew up in Germantown, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland in College Park, where I earned a BA in Theatre before moving to the District and beginning my career. Since then I’ve had the fortune to play on many of the area’s finest stages, including roles at the Folger Theatre, the Kennedy Center, Woolly Mammoth, the Keegan Theatre, Studio Theatre and 1st Stage, among others. I’m also a proud company member of Pointless Theatre, a troupe founded by my close friends and fellow UMD graduates that specializes in puppetry and visual spectacle onstage. Outside of the DMV, I’ve performed in the NYC International Fringe Festival and the Otoño Azul theatre festival in Argentina. Through my art I try to push beyond my comfort zone and find variety and fresh challenges. The shows I’ve performed in over the years reflect this and number in the dozens, a list that includes world premieres, devised works, puppet shows, silent pieces, classics and contemporary plays.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Theatre is an unwieldy and unpredictable art form, and those qualities have been exacerbated in recent years by the pandemic. I’ve had four shows close prematurely since 2020, and those experiences have been a harsh reminder of a beautiful truth — that theatre’s ephemeral nature is what makes it so special. It’s heartbreaking to work for months on a role that ultimately only a few audiences will see, but it also makes those performances all the more meaningful. Actors and theatre artists are constantly asking themselves (and being asked by others) ‘what’s next?’. There’s a lot of pressure to stay busy, book jobs, have the next show lined up. But for live performers, you never truly know when you’ll be onstage again. Live interferes in sudden, unexpected ways. It’s been very difficult saying goodbye to these productions, but it has taught me a deeper appreciation for being onstage and the joy of performing. The photos I’ve shared for this piece all come from those four shows, produced by 1st Stage, Avant Bard and We Happy Few.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I feel so much gratitude toward the artists and theatre-makers who have mentored me throughout my life, and I’m eager to pay that forward to my peers and the next generation. To that end, I’ve been expanding my horizons in recent years and working more as an educator and teaching artist, despite specializing for years as an actor. In 2023, with the support of the company, I founded the Pointless Theatre Artists’ Playground, a recurring series of free creative workshops. The Playground is a s p a c e where artists, performers and creators of all stripes can gather to practice and hone their craft, connect with one another and exchange creative tools. In the past year and a half we’ve offered twelve sessions to DMV artists, entirely free of charge, on topics as varied as puppetry, voice, improvisation, sensory design, listening, aerial dance, drama therapy and stage combat. We’ve served dozens of artists already, and I’m hoping that we’ll continue to grow our impact in the community for years to come.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

Reach out to me — via email/social media/website/whatever! Also, check out a couple of upstart podcasts — ‘Frank & Sense’ and ‘Hoops Crew,’ both available wherever you get your podcasts. I’m a co-host of the latter and frequent guest on the former. Both are hosted and produced by my good friend Frank Cervarich, and both are a fun alternative creative outlet. ‘Hoops Crew’ is a sports/comedy podcast, while ‘Frank & Sense’ covers a wide variety of topics, including movies, culture, politics and more. And finally, follow me on IG @matty.cino to keep track of what I’m up to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.matthewsparacino.com
• Instagram: @matty.cino
• Other: https://www.thefrankpage.com

Image Credits

Headshot Photography – DJ Corey Photography

Production Photography – DJ Corey Photography, Teresa Castracane Photography, Sam Reilly

Actors Featured – Tamieka Chavis, Jonathan Del Palmer, Made Key, Emilia Pazniokas, Robert Pike, Mary Myers