The University of Findlay - Matt Harris ’06

Class of 2006, Theatre Major

Falling into the performing arts “entirely by coincidence,” Matt Harris, a senior theatre major, found he truly loves being on stage and entertaining audiences. He has been involved in the University’s Theatre Program and the Concert-Chorale since his freshman year.

Entering UF with an undecided major, Matt decided to take the freshman seminar course with the most interesting title: “I think, therefore I act.” Recognizing his talent for performing, his professors encouraged him to audition for the first two productions of the University’s theatre season. With no previous experience, he landed a role in The Winter’s Tale.

“It was incredibly stressful at first because I was learning not just about acting, but about theatre, rehearsal and all sorts of things I had no idea about,” Matt mused. “And being a foolish freshman, I never mentioned that I didn’t know the difference between upstage and downstage.”

Since then, he has participated in every UF theatre and SummerStock production, sometimes playing several roles in the same production. This fall, Matt has lead roles in both of UF’s fall theatre productions, The Illusion and The Crucible.

Thanks to his experience on stage at UF, Matt was hired for a summer acting position in the outdoor historical drama Tecumseh! He spent five months acting along side performers from around the country and from Ireland.

Off stage, Matt is the vice president for Alpha Psi Omega, the honorary theatre fraternity and was the co-anchor for the UF-TV news show “Findlay Edition.”

Matt credits several UF professors with having had a profound impact on him. “All of the theatre faculty and staff are amazing, and we are incredibly lucky to have them all,” Harris commented.

Through his numerous experiences at The University of Findlay, Harris has developed a passion for the performing arts. “If I didn’t enjoy theatre, I’d have been pretty miserable, seeing as how I’ve spent more time in the University’s theatre over the past several years than I have at my own house,” he said.