Meet Matthew Roberts: Dancer & Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I discovered dancing at an early age and although I enjoyed the physicality often paired with elements of sound or music, I was truly entranced by its expressive, storytelling nature. I grew up with a love of reading and wonder for stories, dance reminded me of the feeling of momentarily breaking from reality to going on an adventure. It was like learning another language, and the more fluent and knowledgeable I became, the more I could enjoy movement and appreciate the craftsmanship of a dance. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a dancer and choreographer looking to build a safe place to create and fellowship, I believe stories can communicate so much. I create to tell a story, to share an experience, to bring awareness, to challenge perspectives, to immerse with others, to assemble humanity, to encourage life, and point to eternity. I believe real community happens when people know it is safe enough to share their doubts and fears without being judged. More than a company, FRTRSS seeks to develop a community by assaulting error with truth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Regardless of how much time you have to spend, a week in Dallas is sure to be a relaxing visit filled with sightseeing, fun activities, great food, and fellowship. My recommended places include Bauchman Lake, a public lake next to the airport that has planes skimming over the birdwatchers, cyclists, and families circling below. When it comes to food, you can grab a quick bite from several fast food places nearby, or you can stop by Spiral Diner, a vegan restaurant that offers an all-vegan menu for any meal of the day at an affordable price. If your nights are late, you can always check out the barcade to grab a drink or a bite while you game with friends. No matter how much time there is, it is important to get enough community time with friends along the way, whether it be in person, over the phone, or even through a video. It is easy to get lost or overwhelmed in the city, when I want to relax, you can find me floating in the pool near the airport, counting the planes that fly by, or enjoying the view of the sky from my balcony. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents provided both the encouraging space to pursue my passion and introduced me to my faith in the Lord, which ultimately kept me persevering through moments I thought were impossible to overcome on my own.

Website: https://frtrss.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattressbottlerobbers/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MattoTheHedgehog
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MattoTheHedgehog

Image Credits
Corey Haynes Eric Bandiero Danielle Rutherford