NC native, actor with Down syndrome makes film debut in "Horsegirls"

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new Hollywood film is shining a spotlight on a Wake County actor who is working to promote inclusion and change perceptions about people with Down syndrome.

Matthew Schwab, a 2017 graduate of Holly Springs High School, makes his acting debut in Horsegirls, a film about a young woman with autism as she navigates the challenges of adulthood.

Schwab, who has Down syndrome, plays a man with Down syndrome in the movie.

For his mother, Michelle Schwab, seeing her son appear on the big screen was a memorable moment.

"When his name flashed on the screen, I was like, oh my God, that's really cool with other actors who I know," Michelle Schwab said.

Schwab said he was drawn to the movie's story and its portrayal of the challenges the main character faces.

"The movie is about a 22-year-old woman with autism and struggling in society and struggles that are going on in, in life, like having the struggles of having a diagnosis that's been autism and the struggles of adulting, struggles of being an independent woman and a struggle of having been having a single parent with cancer," Schwab said.

Schwab said films such as Horsegirls help highlight the experiences of people with developmental disabilities and underscore their importance in society.

He also reflected on the role Down syndrome has played in his own life.

"I love my life with Down syndrome because everything in my life with that is happening. It has happened. It's because of me having Down syndrome," Schwab said.

Beyond his film debut, Schwab and his family are looking ahead to another major milestone. He said he and his fiancée, Lucia Romano, are planning to marry Sept. 26 in Chapel Hill.

"So aside from the movie, my now fiancée Lucia Romano and I are about to be married on September 26th of this year," Schwab said.

Horsegirls premiered Friday afternoon at The Cary Theater in downtown Cary. The film is scheduled to play there on four additional dates, August 26, August 29, September 3 and September 4. A question-and-answer session with Schwab is planned for Aug. 29.

The film is also playing in theaters across the country and is available on streaming platforms.

In addition to acting, Schwab advocates for people with developmental disabilities and makes international speaking appearances focused on encouraging inclusion.