Broadway actor conducts workshop for Cape theatre students

Cape Henlopen High School Theatre Academy students recently participated in an intensive one-day workshop with Broadway actor Matthew James Thomas. Thomas helped students to further develop their original, award winning one-act show “Look at Me.” He first visited Cape in the fall as a part of the theatre’s guest artist series and was eager to come back to work with the talented young actors.

Having appeared in a number of films, television series and productions on London’s West End, Thomas is best known in the United States for his starring performances on Broadway as Peter Parker in "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" and in the title role of "Pippin," for which he received a Tony Award nomination.

Cape Theatre Academy Director Martha Pfeiffer says, “Matthew is an incredibly talented performer, with a great deal of experience. We are both fortunate and honored by his respect and enthusiasm for our program!”

The students first performed their original piece in this year’s Eastern States Theatre Association competition in March, for which they received the Affecting Social Change Through Theatre Award.

Cape theatre students were very excited about the experience. Senior Richard Sommerfield says, “Mathew’s experience in the theatre industry has helped us as actors and writers to better develop our play. His insights and experience with developing works, like 'Look At Me' has helped us all to improve our work, and that is such an honor.”

Filippo Mariani, Cape’s foreign exchange student from Stressa, Italy, says “It’s incredible how the time flew away. We stayed with Matthew from 11 am. to 5 p.m., but the activities were so interesting and involved that it felt as if we stayed with him just a couple of hours, and I would have stayed more if I could.”

Senior Hannah Faircloth says, “I could spend hours just talking to Matthew, not only about theatre, but about the way he sees the world and humanity. He was incredibly patient and understanding, and worked with us in a way that challenged us as well as teaching us so much. Being able to learn about acting, theatre, human nature, and our own work with 'Look At Me' was one of the greatest experiences I have had.”

"Look at Me" will make its debut at the Milton Theatre at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 21. All proceeds will directly benefit Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. For additional information, contact Martha Pfeiffer at martha.pfeiffer@cape.k12.de.us or 302-645-7711.