He is the oldest child of predeceased, Ronald Jay Redden and is survived by his mother, Debbie Everett; siblings, Tracy Redden (Marty Koerner), Shannon Redden Head (Jeffrey Head), Derek Redden and Kevin Redden; stepfather, John Everett and stepsisters, Jessica Everett and Jamie Elfar (Fuad Elfar); nieces, Millie Head, Evelyn Koerner, Charlotte Koerner and nephews, Mason Koerner and Ghassan Elfar.
Matthew was a spirit of the stage and music from a young age. He was a member of the local young thespian theater in his hometown of Kingwood, Texas, Center Stage, at the age of 12 where he found his love of theater. He was a member of the Kingwood High School choir, including the elite choir group the Madrigals. In his high school years, Matt was a member of the Student Council, a cross country runner, sports trainer and, naturally, involved in theater and choir. He was in Rhythm & Blues, the 9th grade show choir, Vice President for the choir council, and performed in every Pop Show at the end of the school year. In high school theater, he was a player in "Anything Goes", "Guys and Dolls", and "Beggars Opera" (UIL). After graduating Kingwood High School in 2000, Matthew went on to complete his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in Musical Theater. While there, Matthew performed in shows such as "Fiddler on the Roof", "Smokey Joe’s Café", "Equus", and "Ragtime". Matthew graduated from Sam Houston in 2005. He was also a part of the Broadway theater project 2004, directed by Ann Reinking.
He then went on to make a name for himself in Houston performing at various venues such as Houston Grand Opera in "The Queen of Spades and Chorus!", the Masquerade Theatre in "Camelot", at the Alley Theatre he played various roles in "Cyrano de Bergerac", "Othello", and "A Christmas Carol" , "Design for Living" at Main Street Theatre, and "The Secret Garden" at Bayou City Musicals.
Matthew left Houston, to venture overseas one summer and joined the International Traveling Theatre Group where they performed in the Karl May Festival in Germany. His career on stage bloomed when he started working at the Zach Theater in Austin, Texas, winning the hearts of many while performing in classics such as "Mary Poppins", "Evita", "The Who’s Tommy", "In the Next room", "White Christmas", " Xanadu", "Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays" and "A Christmas Carol". The cast of "The Drowsy Chaperone" was awarded the “Best Cast or Ensemble” from the Austin B. Iden Payne Awards. He also graced the stage at the Austin Theatre and the Penfold Theatre Company.
While in Austin he opened his own hair salon known as Redden Salon, and simultaneously became a leading man in real estate in the city. During his time in Austin, he was involved in various organizations and became a member of Actors Equity Association, the Union of professional actors and stage managers in US, Human Rights Campaign, Director of ASA (Aids Services of Austin), Emancipet, Austin Pets Alive, Unite the Fight Gala, and the Austin Fashion Week.
After Austin, Matthew started a new chapter in Santa Fe doing real estate and he fell in love with the nature the city offered. With the passing of his father, Matthew took an opportunity to be closer to his mother and family by moving to Lansing, Michigan in the Spring of 2022. Here he continued in the real estate business as well as worked at Bradly’s Boutique Home Décor. There he not only fulfilled his love of style and interior design but met some of his closest friends since moving states.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Matthew. He loved the outdoors, from the mountains to the beach. He had an affinity for travel and trying new things. Matthew also loved a quiet evening doing Yoga, burning incense and meditating and even dabbling in interior design/decorating. He cherished his dogs, Jet and Chief. These boys went everywhere with Matthew and were truly his closest companions. Matthew's truest gift was his uncanny ability to find the pearl in every person he met and at the same time allow that person to feel like they were the only one in the room. He had a healing, gravitational pull that always resulted in a therapeutic hug you did not realize you needed.
Above all else, Matthew was happiest when he was with his family. His relationship with them was undeniable, especially with his mother as evidenced by his moving to Michigan to be closer to her. Growing up in a large family, and the oldest of his siblings, he naturally developed a nurturing and playful disposition. He adored his nieces and nephews and the admiration was mirrored as they lovingly called him Uncle "Mack". Since Matthew and his siblings were close in age, they formed an unbreakable bond and have always been best friends. To everyone else he was a shooting star, giving brief light and love to those around him. To his family, he was the sun, the constant energy source and the one they looked up to, seeking his warmness and light.
Light of his family, musician, realtor, advocate for all humanity, Matthew Ryan Redden’s love of life didn’t end with his death. He was loved by so many from Michigan to Texas and those loved ones will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
"One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world." ~Buddha
"If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em yours." ~ Dolly Parton
A celebration of life visitation for Matthew will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823. Following the visitation, friends are invited to continue the celebration of Matthews life from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM at 4444 Wausau Rd, Okemos, MI 48864.
Flowers are welcome, however, we believe that Matthew would have loved and preferred donations for charity. Here are some places you can donate in his honor:
Your local ASPCA: www.aspca.org
AIDS Services in Austin: www.viventhealth.org
Zach Theatre in Austin: www.zachtheatre.org
Human Rights Campaign: https://give.hrc.org
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