Canadian Improv Showcase - Matthew R. Lawrence

Matthew R. Lawrence

Matthew grew up in Bramalea, Ontario and acting or performing was the furthest thing from his mind. He wanted to be a baseball player for much of his young life. He started acting in Public School, his first role being a shepherd in a Christmas pageant. From there he participated in drama classes like any other kid, but was known for being rather shy and quiet. It wasn't until High School that he really became interested in performing.

It was in his senior year at High School that he really blossomed not only as an actor but as a visionary. He discovered during that year that most school performances lacked focus and depth, so he took it upon himself to concentrate on writing and directing more than acting. His year end project, a heart-wrenching drama about the Holocaust, saw his perfectionist side come into fruition and, along with the years body of work, netted him a Dramatic Excellence Award and a 98% in the class.

Following High School Matthew went to College for Advertising, honing his creative skills. He completed the course with Honors at the ripe age of 19. He pursued a career in Advertising, but found it near impossible to break in with almost no experience, so after his Mother brought an ad from the newspaper to his attention, decided to continue his education. He took a course in Radio & Television Broadcasting and began to really grow as a person. Up until now, Matt had always been kind of shy and reserved in public, not expressing his true creativity - but once he was introduced to the world of television and a life in front of the camera, that all changed.

His schooling brought him out of his shell and he instantly wanted a career in acting. He took courses on everything you could imagine: projection to method acting, Shakespeare to stunts - anything he could get his hands on. He got an agent and went out into the real world.

But the real world of acting is not an easy place and after two years of mediocre success, he started to look elsewhere to spur his creativity. He worked in community theatre, something he had done all his life, but now with a new zest and determination, hoping to use it as a way of improving his skills. Then, in 1997, he suffered a leg injury that would alter his life.

He severed his achilles tendon and found himself in a cast and facing the possibility of never walking again. But he kept his head up high and with the love and support of friends and family, overcame the injury and found his calling at the same time.

It was during this time, as he could do very little on one leg, he discovered the television show "Whose Line is it Anyway?" a comedy improv show in syndication throughout Canada. Matthew's love of improv was revisited and he decided to take a look at the entertainment industry. It's very true that it's not easy to make it big in entertainment, but it's also true that Canada has a unique ability to produce amazing comedic talent. Matthew saw that there was no real venue to promote this talent on a national level and set out to remedy the situation.

And the Canadian Improv Showcase was born!

Outside running and performing with the group, Matthew continues to act in all forms on entertainment including hosting and acting as master of ceremonies for many events. He has also been featured in many films, commercials and television shows. But what seems to be getting him the most attention is his infamous 'dropped keys' commercial for Moores: the Suit People.