Matthew R. Lawrence

Matthew was a what some would call a late bloomer. He loved drama and took it all throughout his elementary school years and into his secondary education, but he never really considered it a possible career choice. Even when he received the drama award in grade 11, Matthew had his sights set on other goals.

He was, however, always very creative and upon leaving secondary school he attended Georgian College taking advertising and marketing. He graduated with honours and entered the cut throat advertising world with great gusto. But it didn't take long for him to discover that the creative world that he loved was not all it was cracked up to be. So on the recommendation of his mother he enrolled in a radio and television broadcasting course in Toronto. It was there that his love for acting came into focus.

It was during a workshop that was designed to get students comfortable in front of the camera that Matthew had his epiphany. He was told to pick a tongue-twister from a long list and say it in front of the camera. Then he was instructed to do it in various ways, like a duck, like you're hung-over and when he was told to do it like a cheerleader and he leapt into the air and acted like a total nutter, it happened. He discovered laughter.

Following finishing his education in broadcasting Matthew enrolled in classes with the famous Second City in Toronto. Here is where he fell in love with the world of improvisation. It was at Second City that Matthew learned the craft of acting, building upon what he had already learned in grade school. Matthew learned from countless teachers and fellow students and he felt enriched and invigorated every time he walked through the doors. He could feel the spirit of those who performed before him, the legendary Canadian actors like John Candy, Mike Myers, Dan Akroyd and Colin Mockerie just to name a few. He was in awe.

After leaving Second City Matthew took part in several community theatre productions in York Region where he lived. During this time Matthew got himself an agent with hopes of making the leap into working professionally. He found and agent and quickly discovered that the professional acting industry was very fickle and his desire to stay creative lead him to start his own improv group called the Canadian Improv Showcase. It was inspired by the long running television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" The troupe got off to a great start and before he knew it, Matthew was busy running his own company.

Matthew continued doing community theatre and during a production of "Pride & Prejudice" he met the love of his life. Her role sang the praises of the new handsome man in town, the role in which Matthew was playing, and in the end she decided to keep him. Not long after Matthew found himself married to a fantastic drama teacher and had an instant family with two wonderful step-children. And, of course, kids being kids, they were very interested in the world of acting so the next time Matthew went looking for a new agent he decided to make himself a package deal. This actually made him more attractive and after a meeting with one of the biggest agencies in Toronto, Matthew and both children were on board very busy.

Up until now, Matthew had had nice agents, people who were very kind to him and saw his potential, but they were not influential in the industry, not like Colin McMurray. Colin was a knight in shining armour as far as Matthew's career was concerned and his work quadrupled in less than a year. With Colin's guidance Matthew was able to gain experience taking reputable courses and land opportunities he would never of had otherwise.

And the rest, they say, is history. Matthew has followed Colin where ever he has gone and he has reaped the rewards. Matthew still performs with the Canadian Improv Showcase, as a matter of fact, with the help of his wife, the company has expanded into many new markets and is preparing to celebrate their 500th performance.