Matt Dunn was born in Santa Cruz, California in 1977. Growing up, he was surrounded by music and dancing. After seeing a family friend perform in Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS, Matt realized that he wanted to be in the spotlight as well. He immediately began taking drama classes upon starting his 8th grade school year. Once reaching high school, Matt enrolled in every possible theatre and music class available. It was in the theatre class that Matt discovered his love for dance and started training in jazz, and tap as well as acting for musical theatre. Shortly before graduating Matt was cast in his first community theatre role, playing Snowboy in the musical, "West Side Story" at Davis Musical Theatre Company a.k.a DMTC. The week the show opened he was immediately cast as the Jester in DMTC's next production of "Once Upon a Mattress". Once the show ended, Matt packed his bags and moved to Southern California on a music scholorship to California Baptist College where he majored in vocal music. Within 6 months of being in Southern California, Matt landed his first professional gig dancing in Disneyland's "Main Street Electrical Parade". Two years of working at the happiest place on earth paid off as Matt was then cast as Peter Pan for Tokyo Disneyland. He left everything behind and spent an amazing 8 months living and performing in Tokyo, Japan. After returning from the orient, Matt moved back to Northern California and took the regional theatre and cabaret circuits by storm.
Below is a chonological list of Matt's performances.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF - Bottle Dancer (1998); INTO THE WOODS - Jack (1999); 42nd STREET - Billy (1999); ANNIE - Ensemble and Choreographer (1999, Nominated for a Sacramento "Elly" Award for Best Choreographer); BYE BYE BIRDIE - Conrad Birdie (1999); BIG RIVER - Tom Sawyer (1999); CABARET - The Emcee (2000, Nominated for Best Actor "Elly" Award); EVITA - Che (2000, Nominated for Best Actor "Elly" Award...that's right, the same category in the same year for best actor!); TAKE ME AS I AM - Cabaret Soloist (2002); AN EVENING WITH THE SAC BALLET - Featured Vocal Soloist (2002); YOUR SONGS - Solo Concert and CD recording (Featuring Gayiel Von and Jim "Fingerz" Jordan). (2002); CAROUSEL - Mister Snow, Choreographer (2002); A CHORUS LINE - Paul (2003); JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - Choreographer (2003-2004); PAGEANT - Miss Industrial Northeast (2004); LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - Mercedes (2007)
Matt finds something very special in performing live. People gather together and leave the stresses of everyday life behind. Although we may have never met before, with the magic of mixing music, words and movement we unite together and by the end of the night we have shared a personal moment among friends. No other media has that power.