The Trip to Bountiful is a poignant and timeless story that delves into themes of aging, the relentless passage of time, and the enduring human spirit. At the heart of this tale is Carrie Watts, a woman who, despite the challenges of growing older, remains determined to fulfill her deepest longing – to return to her childhood home in Bountiful, Texas.
Tricia Matthews, a seasoned actress known for her powerful performances, takes on the role of Carrie Watts with a blend of grace and resilience. Her portrayal brings to life the complex emotions of a woman who is not just battling the constraints of age but is also fighting to hold onto her dreams. As Carrie, Tricia Matthews embodies the character’s longing and tenacity, reminding us all that no matter our age, the desire to follow our hearts and dreams never truly fades.
“Getting older ain’t easy. Questioning your life choices, wondering how much time you have left to accomplish all you had hoped for in your life. Finding the strength and courage to break away from the pattern and go towards the unknown. Taking a chance to step out of something that makes you unhappy, and risking finding your true self before your time is gone,” Matthews noted. “To me, Carrie Watts is a chance to work on a very complicated, interesting, nuanced character by an admired and skilled playwright.
Carrie Watts is a character with deep desires and dreams, and Matthews’ approach bringing her world to life on stage is a journey that she truly encompasses.
“If I do my job right then the world takes care of itself by pursuing my needs with a strong point of view. Once I know Carrie well enough then I won’t need to worry about anything but being truthful in the moment,” Matthews said. “Every character is complex, it’s just that some are better written than others. It is always a challenge to take it all apart and then put it back together again. But that’s what I love about acting. The challenge of taking a piece of paper with words on it and making that into a three dimensional truthful interesting human being.”
Matthews adds that it’s nice to be back on stage after a long hiatus and looks forward to seeing what excitement that brings to the performances.
“Every character teaches me something about myself. It’s always something different because I am different,” she explains. “As I grow in my life, my characters grow. What a great thing that is, to continue to learn and grow and become a more authentic you.”
Matthews adds that there’s a reason this play continues to be done.
“It will be relevant because the Trip of life and growing older will always be an exploration and an experience,” she said. “I hope the audience is moved or inspired or touched in some way. But that is dictated by their own life experience. Their own story will decide what they take away from this story.”
