Artist Spotlight...Barrymore Edition: Matteo Scammell

I had the pleasure of seeing Matteo Scammell in a few productions this season, and I loved all of them.  I wish I had gotten to see more of him and his work this season.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him more in this upcoming one.  I know there’s going to be so much good work to come!  He is extremely talented in what he does, and definitely deserves the Barrymore nominations he got!

Of course, I had some questions for Scammell regarding his Barrymore nominations and this past season.  It’s certainly been an exciting one, and it was super cool to hear what he had to say.  From his work as an actor to some new things for him (spoiler alert, his first nomination as a choreographer!), Scammell has really accomplished a lot over the past year.  What is there not to be excited about?

With the Barrymore’s coming up, you know I’m certainly rooting for Scammell!  It’s always exciting to get some insight to this all, especially when you’ve seen the work someone has done.  I really enjoyed getting to hear from Scammell…he’s truly had a great time and it’s reflected in the recognition of his work…as well as the way he is able to reflect on that as well.  I love that he can really see what he’s done this season.  Everything from what he has been nominated for to everything he wasn’t nominated for have made for a fantastic season.

Do you feel like you’ve been nominated for one role or two in Rift, or White Lies?

Put simply, I feel I've been nominated for one role. It's not uncommon to play multiple roles in a single production. And in the case of RIFT, my job was to portray two characters.

How does it feel to be nominated beside your costar, Jered McLenigan, from Rift?

It feels awesome. I'm so proud of the work Jered and I did together. We put our hearts and souls into those characters and into each other. Jered and I both subscribe to the ethos of generosity, selflessness, and co-authorship that we've cultivated in the HotHouse over the past 7-8 years. Jered is an incredible actor and a wonderful person. He's hard working, unbelievably talented, and so transformative. Again, I'm very proud to be nominated alongside my wolf brother.

You were nominated in two very different Barrymore categories this year.  What’s the balance of those for you?

Yeah! So cool! This is my first ever nomination as a choreographer. How do I balance it? I don't! lol. I've never worked as a choreographer in my life - so this was all super new to me. I'll just say that I tried to cultivate a collaborative environment and I try to basically just stay open to new ideas, encourage a rigorous and playful room, and then really you have to trust the artists you have in the room. We had so many unbelievably smart and talented people in the room during NOSEJOB. I was surrounded by theater geniuses like Lee Minora, Alice Yorke, Scott Sheppard, Nell Bang-Jensen. For anyone out there who also makes theater, you know it's a group effort. I mean it's awesome to have the work recognized and for me to be called the "choreographer" feels cool. But choreographing NOSEJOB was absolutely a group effort. 

You played the iconic role of Roger in RENT this season.  How did it feel to take that on and also make it your own?

Playing Roger was one of the most difficult, rewarding, and transformative experiences I've ever had. And because I didn't grow up with RENT, the process of understanding Roger's iconic status was one of gradual discovery. During rehearsals I was only focused on the work without any preconceived notions of what my performance was supposed to be like. But as we shifted into performances of the show, it was in the audience where Rogers renown began to truly appear. Fans of RENT have such a powerful relationship to the show, to the characters, and to Roger. All I can say is, I did my best to focus on my work as an actor rather than allow the expectations to take control. All that to say, it was frigging AWESOME bringing Roger to life. I'd never ever in my life sung like that, let alone 8 times per week. And, for me, environments that demand a high level of commitment and focus are exhilarating. The whole process was absolutely electrifying - like tightrope walking without a net. I had a lot of help too! I hired a voice teacher (Shout out Alexa Wilder!), I got support from an incredible cast of extraordinary artists. Our directors were incredibly supportive. So yeah. It was awesome. A true highlight of my career.

If you had to choose one shining moment from this season, what would it be?

I had a lot of shines this year. I can't pick just one! So, I'll skirt the question and say my shine was getting to develop three world premieres, NOSEJOB, Holy Grail of Memphis, and RIFT. Developing not just as a cast member but doing the messy, though ultimately rewarding, work of contributing to those plays alongside playwrights, directors, producers, and dramaturgs. I worked with some really amazing, amazing people and I learned a lot about what it takes to make theater from beyond just an acting standpoint. You just don't get years like this in this business. And I'm old enough now to know that you have to cherish, treasure, and enjoy them both as they're happening and as they drift into the memory that they will inevitably become. So, thanks for asking! It's been so fun to remember, cherish, and appreciate the past 12 months!

What’s coming up next for you?

ANOTHER MUSICAL!! hahaha. I'm doing Million Dollar Quartet at Walnut St. Theater and I'm playing Elvis Presley. Rehearsals and previews have been a total frickin blast and it should hopefully be a rockin good time for everyone. I get to do all the Elvis moves and the voice! I didn't really get the opportunity to showcase my dance moves as Roger. Not that he's a bad mover, he just doesn't dance, at least MY Roger didn't dance...that much. But I can dance, and so I'm excited to bring Mr. Presley's blasphemous hip shake to the stage!

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Philly theatre has so many amazing people involved in it.  I’d say we’re really lucky to have Matteo Scammell as a part of that.  This past season has brought so much to him, and to us witnessing his many talents.  Congrats on your Barrymore nominations, Matteo!  No matter what, you kicked ass this season!