Doing Orthodontics the Right
Way for Nearly 30 Years
ewickley native Peter Matthew Smith couldn’t wait until
it was time for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical “Hamilton”
to have its run in Pittsburgh. Smith—who is touring
the United States as part of the “Hamilton” cast in the
memorable, comic-relief role of King George—returned
to Pittsburgh in January to take the stage at the Benedum
during the company’s month-long stay.
Smith, 41, is a 1995 Quaker Valley grad. Today, he lives
in Red Lion, Pa., with his wife Amy and daughter Addison. “I have been
singing for as long as I can remember,” he says. “I grew up taking acting
classes from Pam Gregg at the Attic Workshop in Sewickley. I also did
Performing Arts Camp at the Sewickley Academy with Pam, Mario
Melodia, Diane Melodia and Thom McGlaughlin.”
In Junior High, Smith started taking Saturday classes at the Pittsburgh
Playhouse Conservatory, helmed by Ken Gargaro. It was there that his
acting teacher, Erik Jensen—who still does bit parts on TV and film—
pulled him aside and asked him if he was going to stick with theater. “I
responded with a typical teenaged, ‘I don’t know,’” recalls Smith. “He
then said, ‘Well you should.
You’re good.’ From that day, I was
all in.”
Smith continued on to Point
Park University to study musical
theater, where he’d only finished
his junior year before he left
school to travel with the national
tour of “RENT.”
Smith’s recent work has been mostly regional. He played Bruce
Bechdel in “Fun Home” at Contemporary American Theatre Company
in Columbus, Ohio, and Jerry in “The Full Monty” at both Maine State
Music Theatre and The Fulton Theater in Lancaster, Pa. A few years ago,
he played Jean Valjean in Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s production of
“Les Miserables.” Immediately following, he played Judas in “Jesus Christ
Superstar” at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Beaver.
“Hamilton” came along for Smith as many of his jobs do—with a call
from his agent. “He said, ‘Want to play King George in “Hamilton?”’
I decided to give it a go, submitting a tape and going to two callbacks
before landing the role a year ago,” Smith recalls.
The show’s touring company has traveled to many other great cities
including Tempe, Denver, St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, D.C.,
Boston and Buffalo.
“In addition to all of my amazing directors and teachers, the person I
have most to thank is my wife Amy for being a rockstar mom while I’m
away, and for supporting me in doing what I love,” Smith says.
“The advice I’d give to aspiring artists is to train as hard as you possibly
can,” he continues. “If you still love it after the business runs you through
the gutter, then you’ll be just fine.”
Smith has no idea what his future holds, but plans on acting for
as long as he can, adding, “It’s the kind of profession you can do and
enjoy at any age.” ■
“The advice I’d give
to aspiring artists is
to train as hard as
you possibly can...”
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SEWICKLEY
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SPRING 2019
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