Prentiss Matthews III is an award-winning playwright and multi-hyphenate theatre artist from Atlanta, Georgia, with a BFA in Theatre from Valdosta State University. As an actor, playwright, director, and teaching artist, his work centers storytelling as a tool for healing, social change, and joy. His storytelling amplifies Black narratives, mythology, and intergenerational healing, creating theatre that fosters connection, joy, and transformation.
To celebrate Prentiss' new work, we sat down with him to learn more about what inspired him to become a writer and what continues to inspire him about writing for TYA.
What inspired you to become a writer? What inspired you to write for TYA?
I started writing plays when I was just 16. I was a theatre kid (still am!)—and as a bigger-bodied, Black theatre kid, I often found that the stories I read or performed in didn’t include characters who looked like me or reminded me of my family and friends. So, I began writing plays with roles that I or my friends of color could step into. Even before I fully understood the impact of representation, I knew I wanted to create stories where Black and brown actors could pick up a script and feel like it was made with them in mind.
As for writing for TYA, I love that Theatre for Young Audiences cultivates hope, magic, and joy—elements that are vital for audiences of all ages. TYA uniquely blends humor, education, and wonder, creating meaningful experiences for young people both on and offstage. On a personal level, I write for the little Black kid I once was—the one who searched for himself in stories but rarely found that reflection. Now, as a playwright, I’m creating the kinds of stories I wish I had growing up—where young audiences of color can see themselves, their dreams, and their possibilities reflected on stage.
TYA allows me to combine imagination, representation, and storytelling in a way that uplifts young people and reminds them that they belong in this world—and in the theatre.
Many of your stories incorporate elements of fables and mythology. What inspires you about these ancient stories?
As a kid, I loved Greek mythology—its lessons, its magic, its epic storytelling. But as I grew both as a person and an artist, I was introduced to Afrocentricity—a worldview that prioritizes the history, culture, and values of African and African-diasporic peoples. Through workshops like Black Acting Methods by Dr. Sharrell Luckett and Tia Shaffer, I gained a deeper understanding that Black storytelling existed long before colonization. That realization shifted everything for me.
I began to ask myself: What stories did my ancestors tell beyond narratives of racial trauma? That question led me to explore the rich history of African mythology, where I discovered tales of gods, fairies, mermaids, and otherworldly beings that had been part of African storytelling for generations. It was a revelation—and healing for my inner child—to learn that Black folklore is filled with wonder and imagination.
Now, I write stories that honor that lineage. I think about how much my younger self would have loved to see the plays I’m creating today, and in every piece I write, I honor him. My greatest hope is that the next generation of Black actors sees themselves in my work and feels the joy of knowing they are centered in these stories.
In one of your new scripts, audiences will meet the Yumboe Fairies, who are incredible dancers, excellent hosts, and love food! If you were a Yumboe Fairy, what kind of food would you bring to the party?
If I were a Yumboe Fairy, I’d definitely bring sweet tea and lemons—because as a Georgia boy at heart, sweet tea is a must! And to really bring the Southern comfort, I’d also bring some sweet potato pies. Nothing says celebration like a good homemade pie!
What is next for you? What should we keep an eye out for?
Micah Meets a Mami Wata is my newest TYA play, commissioned by Fonseca Theatre as part of The TYA BIPOC Superhero Project. Inspired by African mythology, marine life, and the environment, this play follows Micah, a young Black boy, as he discovers the true meaning of friendship, mer-magic, and the joy of embracing who he is in a world that often pressures him to conform. The world premiere will take place in summer 2025 at Fonseca Theatre in Indianapolis, and the play will also be published in The TYA Superhero Project Anthology.
After that—expect more Black and magical stories from me!
Learn more about Prentiss and his new plays for young people here!