@erieplayhouse In the rehearsal room for vocals as Parker Irwin (Anthony Hope) and Jason Lawergren (Sweeney Todd) sing “Johanna.” SWEENEY TODD opens October 11 at the Erie Playhouse. Tickets are on sale now! #erieplayhouse #erie #sweeneytodd #sondheim #johanna #anthonyhope #sweeney #theatre #musicaltheatre #broadway #communitytheatre ♬ original sound – Erie Playhouse
The Erie Playhouse is proud to award the 2025 David and Judy Matthews Scholarship to Parker Irwin! Parker is graduating from General McLane High School and will enter the Musical Theatre B.F.A. program at Kent State University this fall.
This scholarship was created in memory of David Matthews, Managing Director of the Erie Playhouse from 1972-2006, and in honor of Judy Matthews, his wife and Playhouse legend herself, with the intention of honoring a student attending school to pursue a career in a theatre or performing arts-related field who demonstrates a commitment to the theatre arts and the ability to carry on the legacy of David and Judy Matthews, while embodying the core values of the Erie Playhouse: inclusivity, professionalism, gratitude, impact, and passion.
“One thing that both David and I felt was very important was to further your education,” Judy Matthews shared during the inaugural scholarship presentation in 2024. “You’re going to carry on what [David] said, and that was to give them love, and they will give it back.”
Parker was introduced to theatre at age five when his grandmother brought him to see MARY POPPINS at the Playhouse, and since then has performed at the Playhouse, Dramashop, and in the theatre program at General McLane. Most recently on the Playhouse Mainstage Parker was featured as Anthony Hope in the 2024 production of SWEENEY TODD. Other highlights include MATILDA (Eric, Playhouse), RAGTIME (Edgar, Playhouse), FUN HOME (Christian, Dramashop), GUYS AND DOLLS (Sky Masterson, GM), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (GM) and many more! Parker has also placed first chair at PMEA District and Regional Choir and qualified for PMEA State Choir all three years of eligibility as well as NAfME and ACDA All-Eastern choirs.
From the theatre program at GM, Will Steadman wrote in support of Parker, “As a cast member, he is exactly who others want to work with: talented, brilliant, kind and grounded. It is my sincere belief that Parker has what it takes to make a career in this industry.”
“Over my thirty-eight year career of teaching, I have had many wonderfully talented students: Parker Irwin certainly ranks among the very top,” writes Bruce Yates. “But more importantly, his passionate love of the arts and compassionate love for others is just as impressive!”
Parker will be officially honored during the 2025 David & Judy Matthews Scholarship Brunch on August 10.
