A queer man striving to thrive alive despite disabling HIV/AIDS & disfigurement, MATTHEW D. BLANCHARD (@QHereKidSF) has dedicated his life to academics, altruism, and the arts.

As thespian erudite, this prodigal young performer played in 20+ para/professional productions, incl. lead in APOLLINAIRE's Les Mamelles de Tiresias (Theatre Roland Barthes, 2000), as well as in MOLIERE's The Misanthrope and N. IIZUKA's Polaroid Stories (W&M/ΦΒΚ Memorial Hall, 2001/2002). BLANCHARD's early collegiate tenure culminated in extensively studied direction & design (with honors) of E. IONESCO's Masterworks in Theater of the Absurd: The Lesson (2001) & The Chairs (2002).

Matthew's latest contributions of professional-caliber creative work played to effusive critical acclaim, with a grand cinematic debut as writer/narrator & lead-protagonist of "CONSTRUCT" (dir. D. CARDONE): a documentary film-short, feat. in The HIV Story Project production of STILL AROUND (Outcast Films: USA, 2011; 82mins.). A feature-length compilation honoring "30 Years of AIDS & 15 Stories of Hope," STILL AROUND celebrated its West Coast Premiere as "Official Selection" of Frameline35: SF Intl. LGBT Film Festival (Castro Theater: San Francisco, 24 Jun 2011).

At present, BLANCHARD appears in M. BERNSTEIN SYCAMORE's anthology on radical-queer counterculture change: WHY ARE FAGGOTS SO AFRAID OF FAGGOTS? Flaming Challenges to Masculinity, Objectification and the Desire to Conform (AK Press: Oakland, 31 Jan 2012). As coach to his creative process herself, MATTILDA guided Matthew's deeply moving written story towards publication. A work of "HIV/AIDS 'Self/Survivor' Storytelling" which reads as provocatively sincere personal history, "IT GETS BETTER?" (Sycamore 115-122) marks the "trauma/saga-tragic, yet triumphant!?" professional literary arts debut of M. BLANCHARD, as novice radical-queer counterculture advocate/activist, author & critic.

Location

SAN FRANCISCO CA 94109-7821 USA

Disciplines

• American Studies
• Creative Writing
• Digital Humanities
• Film Studies
• Humanities
• Languages
• Literature
• Performing Arts
• Philosophy
• Theater Studies
• Visual Arts
• Anthropology
• Cultural Studies and Ethnic Studies
• Sociology
• Urban Studies
• Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Architecture and Design
• Education
• Journalism, Media, and Communication
• Public Affairs
• Social Work

Affiliation

College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

Website

http://gplus.to/matthewblanchard