Matthew Dickens

Matthew Dickens (October 19, 1961 – January 8, 2013) was an American writer, producer, actor and director.

Early life Matthew Dickens was born in an ambulance on a highway on the outskirts of Nancy, France. Matthew's early training as an actor began at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC, mentored by the late founder, director/choreographer/educator Mike Malone, who he later joined as a company member of the Equity Theater Company at Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio. Other notable teachers were Kenneth Daugherty (acting), Glenda Dickerson (acting), Donal Leace (theater history), Tony Booker (voice), and Quay Barnes Truitt (costumes and make-up)

Matthew's early training as a dancer included classes at The School of the Cleveland Ballet. In New York, he had a short stay at The Ailey School and studied with David Howard, Finis Jhung, and Frank Hatchett. While performing in New York, he met Debbie Allen. The two went on to work together on numerous projects, including A Different World, Fame, Polly, Carrie, and The Academy Awards.

Films

Television TV appearances include "Fame," guest starring roles on "A Different World", "Quantum Leap," and several commercials. In 1991 Matthew performed in the ABC special “American Dance Honors”, which received an American Emmy Award nomination for the choreography. Matthew appeared on The Debbie Allen Special in 1989 which was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys and co-starred in the opening number of the 63rd Academy Awards with Jasmine Guy and Steve LaChance.

Year Title Role Notes1990 In Living Color Himself Other Broadway credits include playing both Chris and John (at different times) in Miss Saigon, C.C. White in Dreamgirls and Stephen King's Carrie. He also co-starred in the original Australian cast of Smokey Joe's Cafe. 1988 Carrie Matthew, Tommy Virginia Theatre 1991-2001Miss Saigon Chris, JohnBroadway Theatre 1994-1997 Sunset Boulevard Artie Green, Understudy Joe Gillis Minskoff Theatre

Other Theater

Death Matthew died of prostate cancer on January 8, 2013.