CHRISTOPHER HEROLD

Continuing Lecturer | UC Berkeley

Faculty &  Director | American Conservatory Theater

To Whom It May Concern: 

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It’s a privilege and a pleasure to write a letter of recommendation for an extraordinary individual like  Matthew Nelson. I am currently teaching Matthew in Advanced Acting Studio at U.C. Berkeley and have just finished directing him in a production of Aaron Posner’s Stupid F#@king Bird. 

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Matthew is a remarkable student and actor. His work in class is invariably endowed with creativity, imagination, freshness, and the most marvelous humanity. Equally impressive is the way in which the work is accomplished—with discipline and an evident devotion to excellence. Matthew is the  actor who always has the work done, always goes above and beyond the assignment, and always brings a sense of joy to the endeavor. I was so impressed with his efforts in Advanced Acting that I cast him in the role of Dev in Stupid F#@king Bird. He is as impressive in the rehearsal hall as he is in acting class. He brought the character of Dev to full and astonishing life—the work being rich, deep, funny, and profound.  

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On a personal level, Matthew is equally impressive—intelligent, funny, generous, deeply kind, and open to the possibilities of the world around him, he is just the sort of person you hope to have in your classrooms and rehearsal halls. I think any community would be fortunate indeed to count him among its members. 

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Matthew is absolutely ready to continue with rigorous training. Focus on technical aspects of the craft will allow him to more fully realize his enormous potential. I believe that he will complete any program of study with distinction.  

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Matthew has my most enthusiastic and heartfelt recommendation. He is one of the actors you are looking for. 

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Sincerely, 

Christopher Herold