Adopt a SmartA$$
Donation protected
My name is Matt, if you didn't already know. I like animals, specifically Cats, Otters, and Tigers. I was born in about 103 degree weather, after forcing my mom to be in labor for almost 48 hours because I was just too damn comfortable. Ever since I entered the world, I've had a sarcastic attitude about everything. I felt the need to tease people and poke fun at them, all in good fun, from the moment I arrived. Legend says that the first thing I ever learned to do was slow-clap. I learned that after I heard the doctor delivering me make a terrible, terrible pun. I still think he deserved it.
Growing up, I drifted along nicely, was always making new friends, and losing some. But, that's a part of life and at the time it really bothered me, and looking back on that now, it's to be expected. As I grew up I kind of gave myself an identity that didn't really fit me, because thats what the crowd I was hanging out with seemed to think about me. As time went on, and once I entered high school , things started to take a turn for the worse. I was always being picked on by people, and even the friends I had then would see me as a nice target for insults and petty pranks. It really got to me. I was convinced that all I would ever be is someones punching bag, that conveniently had a smiley face drawn on it in Sharpie, because the punching bag is always supposed to take whatever it got, because that was its job. To entertain the people that needed to just vent and get their angers or frustrations out.
I started to hurt myself alot, and it continued until my Junior year. By this time I had found a new group of friends, but I still had bad thoughts about previous experiences in my head all the time. Junior year is what changed that though.
Through one of my new friends, I was introduced to our high school's theatre department, and thats where my whole life changed. In two short years I went from being a self-abusing punching bag with a Sharpie smiley face drawn on it, into a confident young adult who knew exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Ironically, it was to keep other people entertained through acting. The last two years of high school taught me exactly what I needed to learn about myself, and helped me grow into a compeltely different person. I am very grateful for the people I've met ever since I became an actor, because I know without all of them, I would not be here today.
Without all of the amazing and wonderful people I've met, I would still be the cynical, condescending, smartass who always seemed to have a stick shoved up his rear over the smallest things. But because of the theatre, and everyone involved in it, I've turned into a confident, condescending, smartass who still seems to have a stick shoved up his rear, but only for some things. Huge difference.
I'm kidding of course. However, as an acting major at Illinois State, theatre means so much more than simply being a job, or something to do for the rest of my life. It represents the new lifestyle I'm living now and where I do my best to take care of myself. I am a stronger and more confident person for all I have endured.
While I come from a family of survivors, times have gotten tougher financially for my family. Recently my family has dealt with divorce, my Mom’s extended unemployment, my younger brother’s critical illness and recovery, and now my college expenses. We were managing okay, until this past year.
I’ve worked very hard to find a part-time job at school in addition to my studies and full-time over the summer. I was not successful, but did take odd jobs as they were offered to me. Despite my efforts, I have exhausted savings and financial aid to pay for my tuition this year. I have shortfall to cover my rent, books, and meals.
This semester I have an immediate need for rent ($2,300) and textbooks ($400). Both which need to be paid in the next ten days, by 8/21/15. The same amounts would be needed for second semester, but not due until January. My total goal is for a $5,400, which would ensure I have funding for my room and textbooks this school year.
I will continue searching and putting my best effort into finding a part-time job alongside my studies to pay for miscellaneous expenses.
Please know that your assistance would be greatly appreciated by a confident, condescending, smartass who hopes to make it big one day, and provide the world with as much entertainment as possible!
Thank you for your consideration!
Growing up, I drifted along nicely, was always making new friends, and losing some. But, that's a part of life and at the time it really bothered me, and looking back on that now, it's to be expected. As I grew up I kind of gave myself an identity that didn't really fit me, because thats what the crowd I was hanging out with seemed to think about me. As time went on, and once I entered high school , things started to take a turn for the worse. I was always being picked on by people, and even the friends I had then would see me as a nice target for insults and petty pranks. It really got to me. I was convinced that all I would ever be is someones punching bag, that conveniently had a smiley face drawn on it in Sharpie, because the punching bag is always supposed to take whatever it got, because that was its job. To entertain the people that needed to just vent and get their angers or frustrations out.
I started to hurt myself alot, and it continued until my Junior year. By this time I had found a new group of friends, but I still had bad thoughts about previous experiences in my head all the time. Junior year is what changed that though.
Through one of my new friends, I was introduced to our high school's theatre department, and thats where my whole life changed. In two short years I went from being a self-abusing punching bag with a Sharpie smiley face drawn on it, into a confident young adult who knew exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Ironically, it was to keep other people entertained through acting. The last two years of high school taught me exactly what I needed to learn about myself, and helped me grow into a compeltely different person. I am very grateful for the people I've met ever since I became an actor, because I know without all of them, I would not be here today.
Without all of the amazing and wonderful people I've met, I would still be the cynical, condescending, smartass who always seemed to have a stick shoved up his rear over the smallest things. But because of the theatre, and everyone involved in it, I've turned into a confident, condescending, smartass who still seems to have a stick shoved up his rear, but only for some things. Huge difference.
I'm kidding of course. However, as an acting major at Illinois State, theatre means so much more than simply being a job, or something to do for the rest of my life. It represents the new lifestyle I'm living now and where I do my best to take care of myself. I am a stronger and more confident person for all I have endured.
While I come from a family of survivors, times have gotten tougher financially for my family. Recently my family has dealt with divorce, my Mom’s extended unemployment, my younger brother’s critical illness and recovery, and now my college expenses. We were managing okay, until this past year.
I’ve worked very hard to find a part-time job at school in addition to my studies and full-time over the summer. I was not successful, but did take odd jobs as they were offered to me. Despite my efforts, I have exhausted savings and financial aid to pay for my tuition this year. I have shortfall to cover my rent, books, and meals.
This semester I have an immediate need for rent ($2,300) and textbooks ($400). Both which need to be paid in the next ten days, by 8/21/15. The same amounts would be needed for second semester, but not due until January. My total goal is for a $5,400, which would ensure I have funding for my room and textbooks this school year.
I will continue searching and putting my best effort into finding a part-time job alongside my studies to pay for miscellaneous expenses.
Please know that your assistance would be greatly appreciated by a confident, condescending, smartass who hopes to make it big one day, and provide the world with as much entertainment as possible!
Thank you for your consideration!
Organizer
Matt Frederick
Organizer
Naperville, IL