Matthews Playhouse kicks off new ‘Pay What You Can’ performance

MATTHEWS, N.C. (QC Life) - Are you an actor or actress yourself or simply a devoted supporter of live theater and the performing arts?

QC Life’s Jorge Andres joined Sara Baumgardner, the executive director of the play, crew members, and actors at the Matthews Playhouse to talk about their “Pay What You Can” initiative.

Baumgardner said the initiative’s goal is to ensure that all community members can access live theater performances regardless of their financial situation.

Proceeds are shared with local non-profits, and this year’s beneficiary is ZABS Place, a thrift shop in Matthews.

According to Baumgardner, all performers are volunteers, and staff members help with costume design and prepare props, scenery, lighting, and sound.

However, Matthews Theater also likes to support theater students who would like to gain practical experience either behind or in front of the camera.

“We always love for actors and actresses to come and be a part of things that we’re doing here at the playhouse,” Baumgardner said.

Actors Charlotte Pollack, who plays Aouda; Tristan Whaley, who plays Phileas Fogg, a Londoner; Aadee Chheda, who portrays “Passerpatout,” a French man, and Andrew Pippin, who plays multiple characters, took our Jorge Andres backstage.

Pollack and Pippin walked us through the costume-changing process, which needs to be fast above all things since some of the actors have up to 13 costume changes.

Chheda showed off his many skills, including his impressive French accent. We can expect to see him and the others perform stunts and do flips on tonight’s show, in addition to embarking on a journey around the world.

“In a little over an hour, you get to see us travel around the world with an amazing set, you see amazing people, you get to see fun costume changes, you will laugh, you will cry, and you will fall out of your seats,” Whaley said.

Baumgardner is convinced that theater is truly for everybody. Even if you’re not a performer, being part of a theater production can help develop and enhance valuable life skills such as making presentations or holding speeches.

“Performing arts is something that connects people with one another and to stories they might not have ever heard before. It’s just impactful for everybody,” Baumgardner said.

The “Pay What You Can” performance is tonight at 7:30 pm at the Matthews Playhouse, which is also the final dress rehearsal before the opening night tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 pm. Tickets and show times are available here.

For more information, be sure to subscribe to their weekly newsletter, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and check out their website.

And if you’d like to participate in their next production, “Frankenstein,” in the summer of 2024, stay tuned because auditions for the new show are coming up soon.

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.