March 16, 2026 - Canyon Lake High School’s very own Theatre Arts teacher Ben Matthews gives us an inside look into his theatre career, from acting to directing, in a fun staff edition Q+A.
Where did your theatre career begin?
I was involved in my high school’s One-Act Play, and we had a very gifted director who took us to State three of my four years. When I started teaching English at Canyon Lake High School, I was recruited by the theatre teacher at the time to help with their One-Act Play. I became super involved in the class, and when she left the position, I stepped into the role.
What college and/or university did you attend? What did you study?
I attended Pepperdine University and graduated with a degree in English Literature and Rhetoric. I also have teaching certifications in Theatre, Art, English as a Second Language (ESL), and English.
What is your biggest career accomplishment?
CLHS has gone to State for One-Act Play the past four years and took first runner up in 2023. Previous to 2019, the school had never gone that far in competition, so that season’s success set the tone for every year moving forward.
What is your favorite part of being a theatre teacher?
I love all of the visual aesthetics of theatre, such as set, sound, and costume design. So, my favorite part is figuring out what all of my students’ strengths are, and plugging them into roles that make the production successful. The crew is very important - everyone together allows for this super complicated piece of art to reach its full potential.
How do you prepare your students for upcoming shows and competitions?
Hours and hours of practice. What makes something successful is the hours you log and putting people in the right place so that they can thrive. It’s the consistency and commitment to show up and work even when you don’t feel like it.
Do you have any advice for students preparing to audition for a show?
Do your best at every character, even the characters you don’t want to play, because you never know when a director is going to see something special in you that maybe you didn't see in yourself. My motto is "we before me," because what a production needs to be successful is all of the right people in the right places.
What is your favorite memory from theatre?
I was fortunate enough to get to direct a play at the end of my junior year in high school for a camp fundraiser. The show was Steel Magnolias and I recruited teachers to play the six main characters. I grew up in a small farming community, so the whole town came out to watch their teachers act. The town Chamber of Commerce ended up asking me if I’d like to continue directing shows as a summer job, so at the age of 19 I started a community theatre in my town which ran for five seasons!
What is your favorite show?
I really love shows where every character has a rich, meaty part and that have a good balance of comedy and drama. I think my top two would be Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick and Ripcord by David Linsday- Abaire.
If you could be any character from a movie/play/musical, who would it be and why?
The mysterious man in Into the Woods, because he gets to go on lots of adventures but in the end rediscovers safety and family.
Who is your theatre inspiration?
My first inspiration would be my high school Theatre teacher, Tal Lostracco. My second inspiration is our attendance clerk on campus, Jamie Kennedy. She started as a theatre mom when her son attended CLHS and has become one of our UIL co-directors. She is an amazing partner and friend and has become integral to the program's success. We also could not do what we do without the support of our booster club!
Thank you Ben Matthews for leading our students on their Path to Success!
Photo Descriptions
- Canyon Lake High School Theatre Teacher Ben Matthews on stage holding a photograph of himself from a high school production.
- Canyon Lake High School Theatre Teacher Ben Matthews on stage directing students.
- Old photo of Canyon Lake High School Theatre Teacher Ben Matthews