Performing on the stage and being the star of the show has always been the dream for many. For an honorable alumnus Matías De La Flor, a once student at Pembroke Pines Charter High School [PPCHS], that childhood dream eventually became his reality. De La Flor has always believed that acting was more than just a path for his future. It was how he found his purpose, and ultimately was how he found himself.

He grew up performing, dressing up as Spider-Man, and creating shows for his parents as a child. His friends and family quickly recognized how naturally he gravitated toward the spotlight, and it was a matter of time until that spotlight shone a career path.

During his time in high school, Matias was involved in several plays. He loved being onstage, but he never imagined it would become something he would seriously pursue, at least not until his junior year. 

He mentions, “ I had participated in our play Fools, and that was the first time I thought, ‘Oh…this is where I’m supposed to be.’ So later on that night, I just knew I was going to study theater.”

As his passion began to grow, so did his understanding of real commitment. De La Flor realized acting wasn’t just performing. It was about growing, finding himself, and learning to appreciate the journey. 

As time went on, he realized that acting required more than just talent. It demanded dedication, self-reflection, and a willingness to push himself. Wanting to build on that growth, De La Flor looked for different opportunities that would challenge him and help him expand his abilities far beyond the high school stage.

When it came to his undergraduate work, he began formal training at a community college, studying for two years at the Florida School of the Arts. There, he learned all of the foundational skills of acting: script analysis, voice work, and performance. 

De La Flor later continued his education at the North Carolina School of the Arts, focusing primarily on devised theater, Shakespeare, and on-camera works. During his time at college, he also became infatuated with directing and playwriting, eventually creating his own path to grow in every area of theater.

When it comes to his unbounded dedication, De La Flor believes he’s shown his utmost form through playwriting. Within the past four years, he has worked with several co-writers. 

He explains, “We started doing readings here in New York, and right now we are working alongside a musical that I’ve directed called Blood Wedding, which is by Federico Garciá Lorca. She’s a very famous Spanish playwright.”

Within one of his major projects, Romeo Y Julieta; Limeño, he introduces a bold idea: creating a bilingual version of the play, Romeo and Juliet. He explains that his opportunity only became possible after meeting an artistic director, Jack Alexander, whose support opened the door for him.

“I’ll forever admire him for empowering me the way he did. I wouldn’t be who I am today without that.” 

His creative projects and performances demonstrate how he has taken the lessons from his training and applied them to his own personal work. By writing, directing, and exploring new material, he continues to challenge himself both professionally and personally.

During his time at college, De La Flor not only developed his technical skills but also gained a deeper understanding of himself as an artist and even as a human being. His training taught him the importance of patience, dedication, and staying true to oneself. 

De La Flor often emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and not taking life too seriously. He wishes to encourage others to slow down and appreciate where life takes them.

He often dwells on the fact that if he could go back in time to give his younger self advice, he would advise him to “be the light with yourself, give everything your all because being an actor, especially in theater, turns out to be on a very professional level. Open your eyes to new things.”

Above all, whatever role De La Flor plays, he always learns something meaningful; through different roles, he has the ability to navigate the fears and passions and translate them into on-stage art. 

According to the actor, he was most emotionally impacted by his recent role as Frederick Barrett in Titanic: The Musical at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

 He says, “It helped me stop trying to become a version of who I thought I should be and brought me closer to who I truly am as an artist.” 

Moreover, instead of trying to become someone he thought he should be, the role ended up helping him discover that deep connection with who he truly is. 

While De La Flor’s journey shows that acting can be more than just a dream to have, he is living and walking proof that those dreams can quickly turn into reality with determination and passion. From his first high school plays to his professional performances, he continuously learns, evolves, and stays true to himself as an artist.