Check Out Matthew Roberts’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Roberts.

Hi Matthew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I grew up dancing in Akron, Ohio, and eventually went to college in New York, after graduating I did a little bit of freelancing in the city. The next nine years were spent with three different dance companies, each for three years, and since the spring of this year, I’ve been freelancing in a few different states. I’ve moved back to Ohio and am looking to be here for the next chapter of my journey.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, it felt like a fairly easy and smooth road; be a dancer, dance professionally, start my own dance company, and choreograph professionally.

There have been a lot of obstacles and challenges, losing a sister, being robbed, abusive addictions, conversion therapy, doing time, removing friends, rearranging beliefs, damaging relationships, heartbreak, you get the idea. Sure, there are things I wish I didn’t have to experience, but they’ve shaped and developed me into who I am.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a dancer and choreographer looking to start a contemporary dance company, FRTRSS Dance Theatre. I create to tell a story, to share an experience, to bring awareness, to challenge perspectives, to immerse with others, to assemble humanity, to encourage life, and to point to eternity.

I’m proud of the dances I’ve created that act like Ebenezer’s in my story, they remind me of where I’ve been, and how far I’ve come and encourage me with hope. There’s a foundation of faith behind my work but although I try to assault error with truth, I also try to encourage multiple perspectives to an idea.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://frtrss.org/

Image Credits
Sydney Edwards, Eric Bandiero, and Corey Haynes