IN THE WORKS
The Dinner Detective
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Still performing with The Dinner Detective at the Knickerbocker Hotel whenever I can. So much fun to be working
with this talented and hilarious group of actors, and I can't wait for another opportunity to play alongside them.
The show has an open-ended run and performs every Saturday night.
It is a rotating cast, so you might not always see me in it, but you might be lucky enough to see the
beautiful and talented Mrs. Meredith Wood perform.
WHAT JUST WRAPPED
Don Giovanni
Lyric Opera of Chicago
After enjoying the wonderful privilege of working with director Rob Ashford earlier in the year,
I was ecstatic to return to the Lyric Opera stage for the fifth time,
working under the phenomenal direction of Mr. Robert Falls in Mozart's Don Giovanni.
National Restaurant Association Expo and Sweets & Snacks Expo
McCormick Place
I was able to hone my tradeshow skills at two expos with the fun and fabulous owners of
Funley's Delicious who strive to create healthy snacks for "all humans with mouths and minds."
It was such a joy to represent a company promoting healthy eating for children and adults of all ages,
and I whole-heartedly endorse all of their products both in and out of the expos.
Funley's Delicious who strive to create healthy snacks for "all humans with mouths and minds."
It was such a joy to represent a company promoting healthy eating for children and adults of all ages,
and I whole-heartedly endorse all of their products both in and out of the expos.
Lonesome Hollow
Idle Muse Theatre Company
★★★½ out of 4 from Chicago Theater Beat
"An uncomfortably powerful production."
"Heart-tugging!"
"Dyson and Pease's unlikely pairing is compelling."
"From lights up through the walk down Jarvis, I was enthralled with my visit to Lonesome Hollow."
--Katy Walsh, Chicago Theater Beat
An "admirable defense of civil liberties"
"thanks in part to Matt Dyson's alternately chilling and sympathetic performance,
and in part to Blessing's nuanced, open-ended interrogation of preventative detention.""
--Zac Thompson, Chicago Reader
"An uncomfortably powerful production."
"Heart-tugging!"
"Dyson and Pease's unlikely pairing is compelling."
"From lights up through the walk down Jarvis, I was enthralled with my visit to Lonesome Hollow."
--Katy Walsh, Chicago Theater Beat
An "admirable defense of civil liberties"
"thanks in part to Matt Dyson's alternately chilling and sympathetic performance,
and in part to Blessing's nuanced, open-ended interrogation of preventative detention.""
--Zac Thompson, Chicago Reader
Shakespeare's R&J
Idle Muse Theatre Company
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."
This production has been a very special process for me. My three fellow cast members and I received my first ever Jeff Nomination, nominated in the coveted category of Best Ensemble. And even though we did not win, the entire theatrical process, from the moment I received the casting call through the culminating recognition at the Jeff Awards Ceremony seen on the right, has been a unique and memorable experience of which I feel so lucky and blessed to have played a part.
This particular adaptation of Shakespeare's story is performed by only four actors, all male, who are on stage for the entirety of the show. It is driven by a palpable youthful energy and brings to the forefront what is inherent in all Shakespeare works: fiery feelings of love, lust, brotherhood, murder, hope, joy, and, above all, humanity.
Our story, I hope, brought a message that is just as true now as it was in Shakespeare's time:
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."
Below are a few of the reviews of our work in this piece.
This particular adaptation of Shakespeare's story is performed by only four actors, all male, who are on stage for the entirety of the show. It is driven by a palpable youthful energy and brings to the forefront what is inherent in all Shakespeare works: fiery feelings of love, lust, brotherhood, murder, hope, joy, and, above all, humanity.
Our story, I hope, brought a message that is just as true now as it was in Shakespeare's time:
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds."
Below are a few of the reviews of our work in this piece.
JEFF AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST ENSEMBLE!
★★★½ out of 4 from Chicago Theater Beat
★★★ out of 4 from Chicago Stage Style
Highly Recommended by Chicago Critic
"Poignant! Idle Muse production is a masterpiece of the classic"
"Matt Dyson plays multiple roles but it's his nurse stint that is unforgettable. Dyson fleshes out a complex version of his supporting staple. Dyson hilariously makes her catty and manipulative."
"Brandon fills the space with a whole lot of talent...sublime ensemble...this foursome is A+ material"
--Katy Walsh, Chicago Theater Beat
"Shakespeare's R&J features a quartet of upcoming stars who are
physically robust, vocally gifted, and emotionally honest."
"Matt Dyson does a fiery Tybalt and sophisticated drag turn as The Nurse"
"four very gifted actors"
--David Zak, Chicago Stage Style
"One of the elements that makes this play so enjoyable is the amazingly articulate,
fully invested acting by this talented cast."
"Seldom do you witness non-Equity actors with so fine a grasp of Shakespeare's text.
The sheer energy of these four radiates throughout the intimate Side Project stage."
"The cast delivers a first-class Shakespearean play fueled with
intensity, sensuality, and skill...vibrant, articulate, and heartfelt performances."
--Tom Williams, Chicago Critic
★★★½ out of 4 from Chicago Theater Beat
★★★ out of 4 from Chicago Stage Style
Highly Recommended by Chicago Critic
"Poignant! Idle Muse production is a masterpiece of the classic"
"Matt Dyson plays multiple roles but it's his nurse stint that is unforgettable. Dyson fleshes out a complex version of his supporting staple. Dyson hilariously makes her catty and manipulative."
"Brandon fills the space with a whole lot of talent...sublime ensemble...this foursome is A+ material"
--Katy Walsh, Chicago Theater Beat
"Shakespeare's R&J features a quartet of upcoming stars who are
physically robust, vocally gifted, and emotionally honest."
"Matt Dyson does a fiery Tybalt and sophisticated drag turn as The Nurse"
"four very gifted actors"
--David Zak, Chicago Stage Style
"One of the elements that makes this play so enjoyable is the amazingly articulate,
fully invested acting by this talented cast."
"Seldom do you witness non-Equity actors with so fine a grasp of Shakespeare's text.
The sheer energy of these four radiates throughout the intimate Side Project stage."
"The cast delivers a first-class Shakespearean play fueled with
intensity, sensuality, and skill...vibrant, articulate, and heartfelt performances."
--Tom Williams, Chicago Critic
Techweek Chicago
Representative of The Freeosk
I "performed" in my first tradeshow gig here in Chicago, representing the tech-savvy Freeosk during Techweek Chicago.
Talk about endurance training, this gig requires you to be "on" - and on your feet "on" at that - for nine hours straight.
This should make my next two hour play seem like a piece of cake.
Talk about endurance training, this gig requires you to be "on" - and on your feet "on" at that - for nine hours straight.
This should make my next two hour play seem like a piece of cake.
CNBC's Crime, Inc.
Bill Kurtis Productions
Recently wrapped on this investigative insight into Media Piracy which can currently be seen on CNBC.
You might have to recognize me by profile - or have first-hand knowledge of my hands - to be able to spot me,
but watch for some prominent "back acting" and have confidence that, even in profile, my hair should look flawless.
You might have to recognize me by profile - or have first-hand knowledge of my hands - to be able to spot me,
but watch for some prominent "back acting" and have confidence that, even in profile, my hair should look flawless.
MillerCoors Industrial
3 Ton Group
An Industrial Film following a week in the life of my character - a Miller Lite "Key Beer Drinker."
I was paid to act like I was enjoying myself while being handed free Miller Lite by beautiful co-actors and watching sports all day.
The best day of filming I have had in my career to date.
I was paid to act like I was enjoying myself while being handed free Miller Lite by beautiful co-actors and watching sports all day.
The best day of filming I have had in my career to date.
WHAT KEEPS ME GOING
Truth be told, the greatest role in my life is that of husband to the most beautiful woman I have ever met, the most loving friend I have ever known, and the most exciting light of my entire life, Meredith Wood Davis.
