Noah Matthews Matofsky of England made history as the first actor with Down syndrome to play an major role in a Disney film.
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00:00acting classes, playing the piano and beach walks.
00:07This is a day in the life of a 16-year-old young actor
00:10from the coastal town of Shoreham, Bicey, in the southeast of England.
00:17And who is he?
00:19My name is Noah Mathews-Matowski
00:22and I have the most incredible life so far.
00:27Noah is the first actor with Down syndrome to play a leading role in a Disney film.
00:35I played slightly in the new Disney film Peter Pan and Wendy.
00:40It was amazing. I loved it.
00:44Ever since he auditioned for his first role, Noah has had one big dream.
00:49I want to become a famous, well-known actor.
00:55Back in 2020, he auditioned for his dream role as the leader of the Lost Boys
00:59from Disney's feature Peter Pan and Wendy.
01:04He spent around six months filming in Canada, where he had his own trailer,
01:11had to learn how to sword fight
01:14and even navigate a pirate ship.
01:17Well, there's so many great scenes.
01:20I would say the scene when the Hanoffs are down on a cannon,
01:24one of my favourite moments.
01:27Every week, Noah takes drama classes in an inclusive theatre school,
01:30where he feels at home.
01:32Probably about 50% of our students have some kind of additional need
01:36or mental health problem, anxiety, issues with their gender.
01:40Everyone is catered to if they've got a particular need that needs to be dealt with.
01:44It's just dealt with quietly.
01:46We don't have a segregated special needs class or additional needs class.
01:49Everybody just works together.
01:53Amanda is Noah's theatre school teacher.
01:55She started working with him about five years ago, when he first began acting.
02:01He has a massive understanding of how others are feeling
02:04and he's always somebody that is able to adjust the way he is
02:08or the way he's performing or behaving
02:10when he can see that it's not fitting with other people.
02:12And that's really rare in teenagers.
02:14But for Noah, it's just something he sort of naturally has.
02:17I love being an actor and I love doing acting classes.
02:22We do dances for musicals, singing and also acting, like monologues and stuff.
02:30So I find it fun.
02:33Acting is not his only passion.
02:35In his free time, he sits down behind the piano
02:38and plays, sometimes four hours at a time.
02:47In between acting and playing the piano,
02:50Noah has turned into a bit of a celebrity in his hometown.
02:54So when I came back to my hometown,
02:57Noah has turned into a bit of a celebrity in his hometown.
03:01So when I came back to school,
03:03everyone wanted to photo or an autograph of me.
03:06It was amazing.
03:09Noah's mother, Kate, is proud of his acting journey.
03:12She also goes with him on some film sets and interviews.
03:19Well, being Noah's mum is never dull.
03:23He's really witty.
03:25He's up for anything.
03:27He's just enthusiastic about life.
03:30He just has this magic about him.
03:33He just seems to find his way.
03:36I think life's going to be pretty good for Noah.
03:39Noah's enthusiasm doesn't stop with himself.
03:42He has a message.
03:43So, wherever you are,
03:46if you have a dream or ambition, go for it.
03:51Don't let something hold you back.
03:53Always do what you want.
03:56And you'll see the best in life.
04:00Alongside auditioning for new acting roles,
04:03Noah is also an ambassador for Down Syndrome UK.
04:07I love being an ambassador
04:10to help kids with Down Syndrome to fulfil their dreams.
04:16And what about Noah's dream?
04:18It's quite simple.
04:19My dream is to be an actor
04:22and have the best time ever.
04:25I want to be in more films and TV shows.
04:29Who knows what my future might hold?