Getting to know members of Costumers with a Cause: Matthew Rzepka

Interviewee: Matthew Rzepka

Location: Portage, Indiana

What keeps you CAUSEplaying?
I continue to ’causeplay’ (I love that term) because I enjoy seeing the looks on kids’ faces when they see some of their favorite characters come alive right in front of them. Making them happy is what the whole thing is all about….and also raising money for good causes. I’ve also found that it has helped me become much more social and outgoing than I used to be.

What was your first CAUSEplay event?
My first CAUSEplay event was the 2014 Kids With Capes walk in Crown Point, Indiana

What is your favorite costume to wear while CAUSEplaying? Why that character?
So far my favorite character to wear is Agent Coulson from The Avengers and Agents of SHIELD. The reason why is, he was the character that really brought me into the world of causeplaying and allowed me to meet so many awesome people involved in CWAC and other cosplay organizations. He is a very strong character, yet still has many vunerabilites that makes him easily relatable.

Most memorable CAUSEplay moment:
I don’t have one particular moment that really stands out, to me it is always a memorable moment whenever you see how excited kids get when they see you, and also when you find out that by the simple act of dressing up as a particular character, you can make someone’s day or even change lives, to a certain extent

The silliest/strangest thing you have done for a cause?
I haven’t really done anything THAT strange as of yet, but as far as silly things go…dumping a bucket of ice water on my head for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Who inspires you?
This one is actually an easy question. Jim Henson. He was such an amazing person with a brilliant imagination, and I could go on for hours talking about how much his work means to me…but I will save you the extra reading. 🙂

Tell us something random about yourself: I used to play piano and I was in middle school band, playing percussion. I also enjoy writing poetry, and hope to one day get into voice acting

Star Wars or Star Trek:
I know I will probably make everyone gasp and shake their heads with my answer, but honestly….I’m not really that huge into either of them at this point. I did love Star Wars as a kid though and I had a bunch of toys, so I suppose I will say Star Wars by default. I don’t DISLIKE them, though, I just don’t really have a preference for either.

Marvel or DC:
I absolutely love Batman and he’s one of my favorite characters, BUT….I’ve always been a bigger fan of Marvel as a whole.

Favorite Comic Series:
I’m reaching back into the 90s with this one and most people probably won’t know who this is, but….Darkhawk.

Favorite Comic Character:
Bobby ‘Iceman’ Drake from the X-Men

Favorite Book:
‘Martin the Warrior’, from Brian Jacques’ Redwall series

Favorite Video Game:
Tough question. I’ll go with Final Fantasy III for SNES.

Favorite Convention:
C2E2 in Chicago, Illinois

Affiliations (clubs or groups):
We Are Cosplay, CHAHITI (A Chicago-area Agents of SHIELD cosplay and discussion group)