Shredded plastic snow covering the brightly lit stage, a ginormous Christmas tree full of glistening ornaments and the Ghosts of Christmas Past fill the theater; these are the staples of sophomore Matthew Chan’s weekends as a performer in the South Coast Repertory’s annual production of “The Christmas Carol.”
Chan currently plays Peter Cratchit, the eldest son of the Cratchit family, who have suffered under the oppressive hand of Scrooge, Mr. Bob Cratchit’s boss. As the play progresses, Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas and embraces happiness and community, allowing the Cratchits to enjoy their holidays while helping Timmy, their sick youngest child, recover. After three years as a cast member, Chan now leads the kids ensemble, performing his role in the bustling family four times a week.
“As the oldest member, I have to set the tone and be inclusive to all the new kids coming into the cast,” Chan said. “I have to teach them essentially what it means to be an actor in a professional setting.”
Chan began his acting career in elementary school, starring in Canyon View’s production of “Annie.” As his passion for the stage grew,Chan has starred in multiple Northwood productions, including “Freaky Friday,” and playing Wadsworth in “Clue” this fall.
“‘Annie’ was the first time I ever performed, but it was like something inside of me just clicked,” Chan said. “That’s when I found that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
His journey with South Coast Repertory began in 2017 when he began taking beginner acting classes. After a short break during the pandemic, he returned to the stage, launching his acting career through various shows and acting companies.
To land the role of Peter Cratchit in South Coast Repertory’s iconic annual production, Chan completed an extensive audition process with multiple callbacks. He enjoyed the experience from start to finish.
“Auditioning is always fun because I’ve done so many shows with the company that they now trust me,” Chan said. “Now, I can play with the characters, and I’m challenging myself to bring something new and fresh to each audition.”
Chan’s passion for acting is fueled by his ability to tell stories and connect with the audience. Through his years of experience portraying unique characters, Chan values the ability to fully immerse himself in new roles, while sharing stories and their nuances with audiences.
“It feels calming and [is] a way for me to escape,” Chan said. “Hopefully, those ideas that I share can impact [the audience] and change the way they think. That’s why I keep coming back to acting.”
Chan also admires the community of actors who come together for productions. Working in predominantly ensemble-based shows, Chan has developed an appreciation for connecting with his fellow actors and feeling supported throughout the production journey.
“‘Clue’ was one of my favorite shows because I felt like I really connected with all the actors there, and we were each bringing 110% consistently to the table,” Chan said. “It was inspiring to be a part of, because I finally felt surrounded by people who take the work seriously and know what they want to do with themselves.”
Now, Chan hopes to come back to the cast in the coming years and stay with acting throughout high school and beyond.
“It’s a really fun experience, and each show feels fresh and different even after three years,” Chan said. “I’m really excited to be a part of this community.”
Tickets to the South Coast Repertory’s “The Christmas Carol” will be available through Dec. 24, and can be found at https://www.scr.org/plays/productions/24-25-season/a-christmas-carol/.
