CBD resident Matthew Hearn is one talented human being.
Originally from Wollongong, Matthew moved to Melbourne to study at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), switching between the world of elite sport to pursue a career in musical theater.
Born with cerebral palsy, Matthew represented Australia at the Paralympic Games in both football and swimming, and after leaving the world of competitive sport, he continued to play a leading role in advocacy for people living with disabilities. I am.
Whether it's on stage or in the field of sport, Matthew says 'expression' and 'visibility' are some of the most important tools for the disability community to help 'move the needle and push the boundaries'. He said that.
And that's exactly what Matthew has always done, under two different hats: athlete and artist, continuing to inspire others and make the world a more just place.
Matthew told CBD News that while professional sport was his first passion to be pursued professionally, the world of arts had always featured at home and at school from an early age in Wollongong.
“I was very fortunate to attend a performing arts high school,” Matthew said. “I think my father in particular was a creative influence. He was a little older than my mother and also grew up at a time when people still listened to musicals for entertainment.”
“Throughout high school, I swam five days a week, Monday through Friday. I swam around 4:30 in the morning, then went to school, swam several afternoons a week, went to soccer practice, played music at school, I was going to rehearsals and singing lessons. So I was very busy!
Matthew has represented Australia in multiple Paralympic events, holds many national records and titles in swimming, and has traveled the world with Australia's Paralympic football team, the Pararoses, appearing in their self-titled documentary. , are participating. At fundraising events and campaigns for the team and the wider disability community.
However, Australia's leading Paralympians were still unpaid, and professional sport was beginning to take a toll on many within the team, and it was at the point that a long-held desire to turn to a career in the performing arts was pursued. said Matthew.
Since moving to Melbourne, Matthew has attended the VCA Foundation Musical Theater Final Course, graduated from Andrew Holdsworth's Musical Theater Course at the Patrick School of the Arts in Windsor, and worked with Skye Masterson in the production of Guys and Dolls. played the role of
Matt has also appeared as Tom Watson in Parade, Alan in I Can Jump Paddles, Matterson in Hello Girls, and has even sung the national anthem at the Socceroos' game against Ecuador. .
Matt also finished playing Green Payne in The Grinning Man at St Kilda's Alex Theater in May. Greenpein's role is a character in a story who overcomes physical obstacles to get on stage.
Matthew said: “In playing young Green Payne, his struggle to come to terms with the reality of his condition is very similar to my initial diagnosis of cerebral palsy and the anxiety I was having surrounding it at the time.'' There's a part of me that can relate to that,” he said. .
Matthew, who is now living out his childhood dream here in Melbourne, said living in the city, surrounded by one of the world's largest arts precincts, was “exciting”.
“There are so many opportunities to grow, develop and express yourself as an artist in Melbourne, which I think is really great,” Matthew said.
“I really love the fact that on any given day, you can just walk down a side street and discover something you've never seen before.”
“When I'm not doing shows, I'm a barista, so I love coffee and I love exploring different places. But when it comes to coffee and hospitality, the city has some of the best management in the world. and some of the best art in the world. I certainly think it's very exciting.”
