Michael Matthews (BA ’99), a graduate of the Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department‘s BA Program in Acting, is directing the world premiere of Lisa Loomer’s new drama Homefree, inspired by a real-life homeless philosopher whom Loomer encountered in Ashland, Oregon, where Loomer lives. Described as “a dark urban fairy tale about three cast-out teens and the flip side of the American dream,” Homefree previews September 11-17 and opens September 18 for a run through November 8 at the Road Theatre on Magnolia, located in the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., in North Hollywood, California. The production was recently featured in American Theatre magazine. For tickets, call 818-761-8838 or click here.

Michael Shepperd and Michael Matthews

Matthews was also recently featured in LA Weekly, in a story about Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles’ award-winning LGBT theatre company, which has secured a new permanent space after two years of itinerancy. Matthews is Celebration’s co-artistic director, sharing the leadership position with another Columbia College Chicago alumnus, Michael Shepperd.