Matthew Conlon has spent over forty years immersed in acting. Raised in Sayville, Long Island, Conlon now splits his time between homes in Remsenburg and New York City’s Greenwich Village—a neighborhood where his grandfather once lived.
Conlon’s contributions to the East End theater community include helping establish the Bay Street Theater and The Hampton Theatre Company. Beyond the stage, Conlon’s resume features appearances on Law & Order and various feature films. Now, he steps into the lead role in Cahill’s Lanes, a movie set to begin production in the coming weeks.
A Journey Fueled By Passion and Persistence
Conlon’s path to acting success began at SUNY Purchase, where he studied in the acting conservatory program. He had other offers, including Carnegie Mellon and Boston University, but a practical choice guided his decision.
“My dad bought me a ’67 Mustang and talked me into going to a state school,” he reflected.
After graduating, Conlon moved to New York City to pursue his passion.
“I worked in bars or restaurants and even as a legal reader for corporate firms,” he said.
Conlon also honed his skills in the building trades, including painting and carpentry. He and a fellow actor launched a high-end apartment painting firm to make ends meet while following their artistic dreams.
Early Roles and a Lifelong Dedication to Theater
Conlon’s first significant role came in a production of The Heiress. There, he shared the stage with friends from the local theater scene. He later performed in The Crucible and other plays before returning to the East End to contribute to The Hampton Theatre Company. He remained active in the New York theater world by appearing in several productions over 15 years. He eventually settled back into the local scene.
One of Conlon’s most memorable experiences came while performing Oedipus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One incident in particular inspired him. After a show, an elderly couple left a note backstage sharing how Conlon’s performance had deepened their understanding of their 40-year marriage.
“That was pretty special,” Conlon shared. “That’s why I do it. It nudges me a little bit in my humanity.”
Returning to Bay Street and Landing the Lead in Cahill’s Lanes
In 1992, Conlon helped friends Emma and Stephen Hamilton build The Bay Street Theater. He also served as the understudy for his first production, Men’s Lives. Decades later, he returned to the Bay Street stage for a 2023 production of The Crucible.
“It was the first time I had been back on that stage in 30 years,” Conlon noted.
Now, Conlon steps into the lead role of Cahill’s Lanes. Marco Joe Clate directs the film.
“I’m playing the owner of the bowling lanes,” Conlon said. “I secured the lead by auditioning for Marco Joe Clate.”
Years earlier, Conlon had performed in two stage iterations of the story. He confirmed that revisiting the script brought back fond memories: “It’s very unusual that a role comes back, and you get to play the part. I just got lucky I aged in the right direction.”
Cahill’s Lanes tells the story of a woman searching for her father—a theme that resonates deeply today. “When this piece was written, there were no Ancestry.com websites. Now, this scene happens every day, all the time,” Conlon explained.
A Lifelong Dedication to Theater
As Conlon reflects on his career, he is fond of the live stage: “I believe there’s nothing like live theater. It’s so important.” While he has enjoyed success in film and television, the stage remains Conlon’s true calling. “My lifeblood is in the theater,” he concluded.
With Cahill’s Lanes on the horizon, Conlon continues bringing heartfelt performances to audiences. Along the way, he is showcasing the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.
