PebbleCreek’s Production Coordinator Matt Drui
Matt Drui dives into his new job
Susan Knox Wilson
A sound engineer, theater professional, musician and performer, Matt Drui is a well-rounded individual who is very well-suited to his new role as Production Coordinator at PebbleCreek.
Matt, who has a degree in sound engineering from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Gilbert, Arizona has a background in live theater and performance diving, we’ll get to that later—Matt will be the liaison for all technical activity in the newly remodeled Renaissance Theater. His duties will include oversight of all equipment for entertainment held in the theater including keeping an inventory and maintenance and provide set-up and on-site assistance for any A/V needs in meeting rooms and ballrooms, as well as serve as liaison to community groups.
Just prior to joining PebbleCreek, Matt was sound engineer for the Village Theatre in Issaquah, Washington. Their most recent show was School of Rock. Matt shared, “It was a cast of made up of kids all under 18 years old during their break from high school; it was fun to see their enthusiasm but I’m really looking forward to getting back to working with seasoned professionals who are also passionate about what they do. Traci’s got a lot of great shows lined up with incredibly great people to work with. I’m especially looking forward to working with the Gatlin Brothers this coming January and getting to know all the PebbleCreek performing arts groups’ participants.”
Now, there is that little tidbit about performance diving promised earlier—.
In addition to his passion for theater, Matt was a professional performance diver; the operative word being was, because we are pretty sure that he has officially given up high dive performances for a drier and, hopefully, less death-defying job here at PebbleCreek. “While we’ve got great expectations for Matt in this new role, there will definitely be no diving off 80’ towers while engulfed in flames,” promised Traci Baker, Matt’s new boss.
Matt grew up in Kent, Washington, where his Dad is an announcer at KGNW Talk Radio. Matt had a passion for acting at a young age and he plays several musical instruments. An active diver in his school years, his stand out performances in dive competitions led to several years as a performance diver, touring the country with a dive team. “My family was pretty concerned when they learned I was diving off 80’ towers into nine and-a half feet of water in teeny tiny swimming pools,” confided Matt, “so I thought it best not to them about the fireball act where I wore a flaming dive suit.” He competed on America’s Got Talent and, though they didn’t make it to the finals, it was certainly a unique experience.
Be sure to stop by the Activities Office or find Matt in the theater to say hello, learn more about him and welcome him to the community.