Matthew Backer

Matthew made his professional debut playing the lead role of Frankie Valli in the Australian production of the internationally acclaimed musical Jersey Boys in 2011, landing the role straight after graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). He has been hailed by the Sydney Morning Herald as one of their 'Hot List Stars' and one of CULT Magazine's 'Faces to Watch'. He has worked with some of Australia's leading theatre companies including Sydney Theatre Company (Machinal, Orlando, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Chimerica, Cloud Nine), Bell Shakespeare (Henry V, The Tempest), Belvoir (Kill the Messenger), Griffin Theatre (Ladies Day), Queensland Theatre (Brisbane, Switzerland, Nearer the Gods) and Hayes Theatre (Only Heaven Knows). He is a current presenter on ABC's Play School. Other TV credits include Dead Lucky, A Place to Call Home, Deadly Women, Fresh Blood and History Hunters. His film credits include Marley, Someone and Only for a Time. His short film credits include Whispers Among Wolves (Flickerfest, Sydney Film Festival, Palms Springs Film Festival, Hollywood Film Festival), Chicom, The House and Latte e Miele. Matthew has studied improvisation at the Upright Citizen's Brigade and the People's Improv Theatre in New York and at Second City in Los Angeles. He was the winner of a 2016 Broadway World Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Sydney Theatre Company's A Midsummer Night's Dream, a 2016 Matilda Award for Best Actor in a Play for Queensland Theatre's Switzerland and 2017 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Hayes Theatre Co's Only Heaven Knows.