IN MEMORY OF MATT TOMLANOVICH
We lost one of our own recently. Matthew Tomlanovich, who worked to reinvigorate the Margo Jones Theatre, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, October 19, 2014. He worked tirelessly to keep the Margo Jones Theatre open and open-armed beginning in late 2012.
Matt had a wide-ranging life in the Theatre.
Over 30 years of experience working in the theatre as an actor, director, and a vocal coach. Matt taught at several universities and conducted workshops in the United States and the United Kingdom. He held a BGS from Oakland University, an MFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts, and a Masters of Arts in Vocal Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He taught at Southern Methodist University, Cal-Arts, The Actor Training Program at the University of Utah, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Dallas, London’s East 15 Acting School and Central School of Speech and Drama, and was an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework. He spent many years acting on local stages, and performed with The Irondale Ensemble Project, at various Off-Broadway theaters, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, the St. Petersburg Salon (Russia), and the Garden Grove Shakespeare, among others. He also had many film and television appearances under his belt.
He was diagnosed with a MRSA infection in his spinal cord on April 3, 2014.
There are few people as steadfastly dedicated to supporting the development of young and emerging artists as Tomlanovich. Matt was incredibly inclusive, generous and really wanted to help everyone.
“He was so dedicated to rebuilding and revitalizing the Dallas theatre scene that he was becoming the theatre himself. The Margo Jones was his home away from home, and he was set on making it the place to see emerging theatre,” wrote Danielle Georgiou in the Dallas Observer after Matt’s passing.
Theater pioneer Margo Jones, who started the legendary Theatre 47 in this space in 1947, believed in giving a showcase to new work outside of New York City. Her namesake playhouse is back in the business of doing just that. In fact, Matt’s work, alongside Donny Covington, on the the Margo Jones Theatre was named Best Theatrical Comeback in our 2014 Best Of List in the Dallas Observer. He was also honored with a Special Citation by the DFW Critics Forum Award for “reviving the Margo Jones.”
He will be remembered for many things by many people. For his home-made salsa, his DIY aesthetic, his garden, his voice training, and for his many quirky obsessions: Russian drama, Butoh, crosswords, and especially his love-hate thing with hyenas (for which he wrote many hiakus).
He is survived by his amazing wife Claudia and his two sons. He is sorely missed.
If you would like to make a donation to help the Margo Jones Theatre in Matt’s memory, please send to the Friends of Fair Park.
Matt had a wide-ranging life in the Theatre.
Over 30 years of experience working in the theatre as an actor, director, and a vocal coach. Matt taught at several universities and conducted workshops in the United States and the United Kingdom. He held a BGS from Oakland University, an MFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts, and a Masters of Arts in Vocal Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He taught at Southern Methodist University, Cal-Arts, The Actor Training Program at the University of Utah, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Dallas, London’s East 15 Acting School and Central School of Speech and Drama, and was an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework. He spent many years acting on local stages, and performed with The Irondale Ensemble Project, at various Off-Broadway theaters, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, the St. Petersburg Salon (Russia), and the Garden Grove Shakespeare, among others. He also had many film and television appearances under his belt.
He was diagnosed with a MRSA infection in his spinal cord on April 3, 2014.
There are few people as steadfastly dedicated to supporting the development of young and emerging artists as Tomlanovich. Matt was incredibly inclusive, generous and really wanted to help everyone.
“He was so dedicated to rebuilding and revitalizing the Dallas theatre scene that he was becoming the theatre himself. The Margo Jones was his home away from home, and he was set on making it the place to see emerging theatre,” wrote Danielle Georgiou in the Dallas Observer after Matt’s passing.
Theater pioneer Margo Jones, who started the legendary Theatre 47 in this space in 1947, believed in giving a showcase to new work outside of New York City. Her namesake playhouse is back in the business of doing just that. In fact, Matt’s work, alongside Donny Covington, on the the Margo Jones Theatre was named Best Theatrical Comeback in our 2014 Best Of List in the Dallas Observer. He was also honored with a Special Citation by the DFW Critics Forum Award for “reviving the Margo Jones.”
He will be remembered for many things by many people. For his home-made salsa, his DIY aesthetic, his garden, his voice training, and for his many quirky obsessions: Russian drama, Butoh, crosswords, and especially his love-hate thing with hyenas (for which he wrote many hiakus).
He is survived by his amazing wife Claudia and his two sons. He is sorely missed.
If you would like to make a donation to help the Margo Jones Theatre in Matt’s memory, please send to the Friends of Fair Park.