We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matthew Lolar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Matthew, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
This past year, I was able to do a show called This Bitter Earth at Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre. This project was special to me for a couple of reasons. One is because of the director of the show. I had previously worked with the director before in a show where I had smaller role. During that process, I learned so much about myself as well as the craft of stage acting. Although I’ve had some prior training due to being in school, nothing compares to exercising your skillset in a professional setting. It was also my first two hander show which required me to reach deeper than in previous shows and really challenged me which I loved. It taught me true perseverance and learning how to trust the process. Once the show closed, I felt a distinct difference in my work. I sensed a growth in craft and most importantly, personal growth. One of my proudest career highlights thus far.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hey Y’all, I’m originally from St. Paul, Minnesota by way of Chicago. I come from a pretty small family. It’s me, my mother, father and my sister. I’ve always been interested in acting and entertainment since I was a little boy. I remember watching certain tv shows on Disney like Thats So Raven and Evens Stevens and feeling like I wanted to do and be that. When I was a kid I loved dinosaurs. So much so that I would run around the house and imitate them by roaring and physicalizing their gestures and body movements. So I’ve always had this free sense of play and energy that I wanted to put towards something. Around middle school was where I started really gaining an interest in figuring out how to pursue the industry. I remember telling my mom and her always keeping me involved. She would take me on auditions in the Twin Cities for short films and on camera projects. We even did a stage play together. So I’ve always been interested in the industry but around high school was when I was really pushed to pursue the career path professionally. After speaking with my mom and mentor, I was told that if I really want to pursue this, then I should look into Acting as my major in college. I did some research and asked around and ended up auditioning for about 3 to 4 different schools on quick road trip via Megabus to the Windy City. Ultimately I landed at DePaul University’s Theatre School and was able to get my professional training there. Since then, Ive been hitting the professional scene by doing shows, commercials and I just did my first feature film last year. I love seeing the constant growth in the trajectory of my career thus far. Im most proud of the discipline and sacrifices I have made to truly follow this career path. Ive got some warriors in my family who have taught me the power of resilience and are always there to support when needed. It definitely helps and is appreciated. Im very grateful to be doing what I’m doing and to be working in something I love.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think how we experience the world through a curious and present lens is the dopest thing. I find myself really being in awe at the most basic things that others who aren’t artist may or may not see. The reward comes in a simple greeting with someone you first meet. When I say hello or how are you doing, as an artist Im genuinely attuned to your well being, I want the eye contact and really want to know. That for me is the most rewarding aspect because we live in a world where technology rules our everyday. Being present and in the moment takes a back seat to our anxieties about what’s coming up next or what already happened that we can no longer control. So being able to target those feelings even for myself and slow them down by just being in the present moment and recognizing the beauty that surrounds us is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me personally because there’s a healing energy about it. A true connection to the soul and humanity if you will.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Bringing to light and championing those stories that are not traditionally celebrated. Those of us who are marginalized and have been hidden from society’s view and care for so long. This is what drives my passion for being a creative. We’ve heard the same old story over and over again. I think it’s time to expand that. More BIPOC stories, more LGBTQ+ stories, more stories from women, more stories from those with a disability. We all deserve to be seen and represented at the table. Hopefully by bringing these stories to light, we can see that our differences make us stronger and ultimately bring us closer together in our shared humanity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: mli-16
- Facebook: Matthew Lolar-Johnson
Image Credits
Michael Brosilow Eldridge Shannon II