Matt Smith and Corinda (Cory) Bravo are true artists who have always given generously of their time, experience and hard work whether by Matt building sets for multiple school plays while Cory expertly directed a large cast of young children; Cory working for the Two River Theater as a teaching artist and single-handedly producing and directing Shoestring Player productions that gave children ways to learn about theater and movement; or just by always saying "yes" when anyone needed the benefit of their expertise. Matt is a brilliant artist who has served as the Director of a National Broadway Tour, a prolific writer and poet, an incredible actor/director and a true Renaissance man - from working in an art department for television to studying philosophy and mythology.  For more than ten years, both Matt and Cory have served as two of our community's "artists in residence" finding ways to use their professional acting, performing, directing and photography experience to teach and enrich their Red Bank community.  


Now, Matt and Cory need your help as they face challenges no family should ever have to face.  When their now-five year old daughter, Lenore, was born with  congenital heart defects and needed open heart surgery just a few short weeks after birth, Cory and Matt knew they would be dealing with hospitals and procedures throughout Lenny's life but their positive outlook, combined with Lenny's fighting spirit and CHOP's excellent medical team, meant they didn't miss a moment of life's activities and adventures.  


However, in February 2019, as Matt was finishing building the set for the spring school play, Matt felt some abdominal pain that they were sure was nothing and Matt had it checked out. A few short weeks later, Matt was admitted to Morristown Hospital for a Whipple procedure, a major operation to remove the rare, duodenal cancer that was discovered and his surgery was followed by radiation and chemotherapy. As the family was left reeling from the diagnosis, Matt - who is self-employed - was unable to work for many months while recovering from his procedure.  As life was getting back to "normal" and Matt was finishing his last round of chemotherapy, the pandemic hit and his scheduled surgery to correct one of the complications from the Whipple was postponed due to the pandemic.  Matt finally had the delayed procedure but instead of feeling better afterwards, his health continued to decline while his team sought answers. 


Matt has spent the past few months in and out of the hospital battling infections, complications from the Whipple surgery and now, sadly, a recurrence of the cancer.  While Matt and Cory are exhausted from their battle, they bravely fight on but they need the help, love and support of the community to whom they so generously gave for so many years.   


Matt and Cory have a widespread network of family, friends and loved ones from as far away as Edinburgh, Scotland, where they performed together in the legendary Fringe Festival, to California where they lived and worked for many years before moving to Red Bank.  We are asking all who have been lucky enough to have Cory and Matt touch their lives to come together in support of the family so that Matt and Cory, and their two children, can focus on fighting for Matt's life.  Any contribution, no matter how small, is welcome and will allow Cory to focus all of her energy on Matt, and the kids, without needing to worry about material concerns, at least for a little while.    


This GoFundMe is being organized by Cory's close friend, Lisa Keele (Ansell). 100% of the donations will go directly to Cory and Matt for their use during this extremely difficult time in their lives.

Cory Bravo will be the recipient/ beneficiary of this Go Fund Me.  The funds have been donated in the knowledge that they will be used to sustain the family in this very difficult time,  now and in the future, whether it be to pay off mounting medical bills,  future medical bills incurred by their daughter Lenny, due to her congenital heart condition, monthly rent and living expenses and future education needs for Liam and Lenny.


The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.

—Friedrich Nietzsche

The artist has one function–to affirm and glorify life.
— W. Edward Brown