🎠Spotlight on Matt Davis – A Legacy of Theater in Jackson and Beyond
If you’ve been part of Jackson’s theater community for a while, you might recognize the name Matt Davis. Maybe you saw him as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors back in 1993 at Center Stage Jackson – or maybe you performed under his direction during the Bon Ton Room era.
Matt’s first CSJ production changed his life. “I got to kiss Lori Pelham,” Matt laughs, but behind the humor is deep appreciation. Community theater opened the door to a lifelong passion – and a thriving career. Matt went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Alabama and built a career spanning professional stages, university settings, and conservatories. He’s directed and taught across the country at places like the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, Theatre 68 in NYC, and both the University of Alabama and University of South Alabama.
But before that national reach, he poured his heart into Jackson.
Matt was the owner and Artistic Director of The Bon Ton Room – a vibrant local venue dedicated to the art of cabaret. The Bon Ton became a beloved theatrical hub that offered mainstage musicals, cabarets, and a creative home for many performers. In fact, numerous current CSJ board members and community actors spent their formative artistic years performing in Matt’s productions at the Bon Ton. It was an era of sparkle, song, and serious talent.
Today, Matt is the founder of Open Motion Studio, where he uses the Michael Chekhov technique to help artists—and even business professionals—access honest, psychophysical performance. He’s certified through the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium and continues to explore how performance and embodiment intersect.
And this summer, Jackson gets to welcome Matt back to the stage and the director’s chair.
🎶 Old Friends – An Evening with Sondheim and Schwartz
July 11–12, 2025 at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson
Matt joins Kerrie Manders, Lori Pelham, Sandy Sykes, and Sherra Zuck for a reunion concert celebrating Broadway legends Stephen Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz. Featuring music from Wicked, Pippin, Sweeney Todd, and more, this cabaret promises laughter, nostalgia, and stunning vocals.
🎠Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing Directed by Matt Davis
July 24–27, 2025 at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson
Matt takes the helm as director of this Tony-nominated musical revue, reimagining more than 30 beloved R&H songs—from Oklahoma! to The Sound of Music. With fresh arrangements and a cast of local talent, it’s a heartwarming celebration of Broadway’s golden age.
- His favorite role of all time? Don Quixote/Cervantes in Man of La Mancha—a gateway, he says, “into
honesty on stage.” - His dream role? Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar.
- His dream show to direct? The Twilight Zone by Anne Washburn and Rod Serling. “It’s genius,” Matt
says simply.
Whether he’s performing, directing, or mentoring, Matt brings depth, heart, and an unshakable love for the art form. He credits community theater as the cornerstone of it all. “I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” he says.
Pictured: Matt directing Pippin—one of his proudest moments.
🎠Member Spotlight: Matt Davis
Longtime CSJ fans will remember Matt Davis as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (1993)—but his impact didn’t stop there. From founding Jackson’s Bon Ton Room to directing more than 50 musicals and cabarets (many with current CSJ members!), Matt helped shape Jackson’s performing arts scene.
This summer, he returns to direct A Grand Night for Singing and perform in Old Friends: An Evening with Sondheim and Schwartz at the Michigan Theatre.
