Biography and Recent Activity

In early 2018, Matt will play the role of Bill in Mamma Mia for the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle.

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Summer and fall of 2017 found Matt directing three successful productions: The Drowsy Chaperone at Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Million Dollar Quartet at Coeur D'Alene Summer Theatre, and the Northwest professional premiere of Bridges of Madison County at ACT Theatre as produced by Showtunes Theatre Company.

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As a performer during the 2016-17 season, Matt appeared in two of Village Theatre's mainstage productions: Singing in the Rain and the World Premiere of A Proper Place by Leslie Becker and Curtis Rhodes

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During the 2016-17 season, Matt directed a staged concert of the classic musical Shenandoah for Showtunes Theatre. With permission, he directed a version in the Allen Theatre at ACT Theatre where the role of Charlie Anderson made famous by Jimmy Stewart and John Cullum was played by a Seattle favorite Anne Allgood. He also helped to produce the Northwest professional premiere of Broadway's Leap of Faith starring original cast member Louis Hobson and a special version of The Unsinkable Molly Brown where eight women of different ages and types tag-teamed the role.

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In the fall of 2016, Matt was nominated for a second year in a row by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences for "Best Voiceover" of audiobooks for children ages 3-12 for his work on the sequel to Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere by Bernice Fischer. The Voice Arts Awards are an international competition recognizing excellence in voiceover.

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In July, 2016, Matt traveled to Idaho to play his number one dream role, "Harold Hill" in The Music Man at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre.

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In the spring of 2016, Matt appeared as "Sam Byck" in the ACT Theatre/5th Avenue Theatre co-production of Assassins under the direction of John Langs. He then returned to Bigfork Summer Playhouse in Montana to direct a production of 42nd Street.

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In the fall of 2015, Matt was named Artistic Director of Showtunes Theatre Company in Seattle. He followed Broadway legend Martin Charnin to take over the role. He was also nominated by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences for "Best Voiceover" of audiobooks for children ages 3-12 for his work on Jeff Madison and the Shimmers of Drakmere by Bernice Fischer.

The 2014-2015 season brought a marathon of activity as Matt began a season-length internship at Seattle Children's Theatre under Artistic Director Linda Hartzell to learn about the "Art of Artistic Direction". He assisted the director on the world premiere of Mwindo by Cheryl West, and he served as Project Manager to implement a new "Relaxed Performance" program for children with sensory needs. 

During that same season he joined Showtunes Theatre Company, which produces concerts of Broadway musicals at Seattle's acclaimed Benaroya Hall, as Associate Producer and as a board member. He began teaching for Seattle's new premiere training facility for artists, The Studios. He also directed five shows over the course of the year in professional and educational settings, including Young Frankenstein, Man of La Mancha, Legally Blonde, Dracula, and How to Succeed in Business.

In summer of 2014, Matt appeared in a production of Kooman and Dimond's Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes at the Village Theatre Festival of New Musicals. He also made a proud return to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse to direct their season opener, West Side Story.

In late 2013 to early 2014, Matt starred as "Cornelius" in the national tour of Hello Dolly starring Sally Struthers.

In 2013, Matt spent many months on workshops of new musicals in New York. He also returned to the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle to perform in The Pirates of Penzance and took part once again in the Village Theatre's "Festival of New Works". 

In November 2012, Matt made his Broadway debut in Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson, playing several roles in the ensemble and understudying George Hearn in his roles of "Brother Bob" and "James Kennedy".

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Previous to Scandalous, Matt spent nine years working as a professional actor in Seattle, with a strong focus on helping develop new musicals for the theatre. He was blessed to work with the finest talent in Seattle as well as a long list of Tony Award-winning artists and legendary veterans from New York.

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At Seattle's acclaimed 5th Avenue Theatre, he was fortunate to work on Pre-Broadway productions of Catch Me If You Can, A Christmas Story, Disney's Aladdin and Saving Aimee. (The previous title of Scandalous.) He is featured as "Santa" in the song "Up on Santa's Lap" on the original cast recording of A Christmas Story.

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At Seattle's Village Theatre, Matt was able to perform roles in musicals such as Hello Dolly!, The Music Man, 42nd Street, The Producers, and Tommy. He also was able to work on several brand new musicals developed from Village Theatre's Festival of New Works such as Iron Curtain, Chasing Nicolette, and most notably, Million Dollar Quartet in the lead role of "Sam Phillips", a show which went on to a Tony Award winning run on Broadway.

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At Seatle Children's Theatre, He was thrilled to help develop new works for children that are now performed around the country such as Goodnight Moon and Richard Scarry's Busytown.

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Previous to Seattle, Matt traveled the country performing roles in regional theatre such as "Cosmo" in Singing in the Rain, "Tony" in West Side Story, "The Gentleman Caller" in The Glass Menagerie, "Danny Zuko" in Grease, and "The Mute" in The Fantasticks to name a few.

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Matt also has a career in voiceovers recording commercials, audio books, and video game characters as well as an on-camera career in commercials and industrials. In Seattle, he has spent an extensive amount of time as a theatre educator for youth, teaching classes in acting, musical theatre, improv comedy, and more.

Matt holds a B.F.A. Magna Cum Laude in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University.