Matthew Wright

  • Professor of Theater
  • Chair of Theater

Areas of Study

Education

  • BA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville,1979
  • MFA, University of California, San Diego,1988

Biography

Matthew Wright is a professional actor and director whose work has taken him across the country. He’s worked at a roster of prestigious theaters including La Jolla Playhouse, Studio Arena in Buffalo, The McCarter Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Great Lakes Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theatre, The Clarence Brown Company, Trinity Rep, Florida Stage, Florida Studio Theatre, Actors Playhouse, The New Theater, and many others. Among the many artists with whom he’s collaborated number Anne Bogart, Tina Landau, Oskar Eustis, Zoe Caldwell, Olympia Dukakis, Frances Sternhagen, Polly Bergman and hundreds of fellow journeymen actors. He earned a MFA in acting at UC San Diego and has won a variety of awards including the Carbonnell Award for Best Actor and, recently, the Cleveland Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in A Musical. Proud member of Actors’ Equity since 1988.

 

Spring 2025

Individual or Group Projects — THEA 225

Rehearsal and Performance-Full — THEA 281F

Rehearsal and Performance-Half — THEA 281H

Senior Capstone in Acting: Professional Aspects of Acting — THEA 410

Theater Senior Project - Full — THEA 425F

Theater Senior Project - Half — THEA 425H

Fall 2025

Individual or Group Projects — THEA 225

Directing II — THEA 307

Senior Capstone in Acting: Professional Aspects of Acting — THEA 410

Theater Senior Project - Full — THEA 425F

Theater Senior Project - Half — THEA 425H

Notes

Matthew Wright Awarded "Best Actor - Musical" by Cleveland Critics Circle

January 4, 2023

Professor of Theater and Department Chair Matthew Wright was awarded "Best Actor - Musical" by the Cleveland Critics Circle for his role as Nostradamus in Something Rotten at Beck Center for the Arts and is featured in the Cleveland Scene article announcing the 2022 winners.

News

Postcards from Oberlin

May 8, 2020

“The best thing about my quarantine workday (besides hanging out with my toddler) is seeing my students, even though they are far away. The second best thing is seeing them when it's warm enough to be outside in my backyard in Lakewood. Students + sunshine (+ toddler) = happiness,” writes Kathryn Metz , assistant professor of ethnomusicology.

Explore Related Departments