Hello, I’m Matthew.
director, actor, writer, collaborator
he/they
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Previous Work
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10+ Years of Experience
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Current Projects
My Approach
Collaboration, Chaos, and Clarity
I take a doula-like mentality to garner the best results when directing any artistic project. Every member of the creative team is respected as a singular artistic voice lending their inspired talents towards the project. We become a community of people working together towards a common goal. With inquisitive guidance and radical acceptance, I maintain every artists’ gaze on the same clear, yet flexible, horizon. I strive to create welcoming spaces where validation is unconditional, which opens room for meaningful consideration of, and attention to, whatever is being attempted in the moment.
Whether the setting is production meeting, rehearsal, etc., I set the world of the production while joyfully asking my team to bring their best sense of play. We have each other’s backs, and we’re all in this together. From that furnace comes work that has big heart, truthful commitment, and feels owned by each member of the contributing team. Side effects include emotionally engaging storytelling and clarity of purpose.
Words of Praise
“Matthew Kiesling is exceptional. He’s a smart, creative collaborator with a strong sense of responsibility. And, he’s simply a joy to work with.”
Lynnette Barkley, director, writer, producer, LB Creative
"Working with Matt is an exciting and magical experience. His ability to incorporate different schools of thought seamlessly shows how deeply he cares about the work he does. He is an aware and thoughtful director and truly expanded my abilities as an actor."
Evan Simone Frazier, actor
"I was blown away by how much time and effort he put into analyzing the scenes. He is so communicative, and helps actors take risks to get many nuanced performances from them. Matt is absolutely an actor’s director. He is very knowledgeable about film-making and was a great team player with production crew. Everybody on set wanted to work with him again, and I can’t wait to use him on my next project."
Alexandra Landau, actor, writer, comedian
Get in Touch!
Schedule an introductory session with me to discuss coaching, possible projects, scheduling, etc.
Branching Out
A new play by Leo Koorhan. Co-Directed by Matthew Kiesling and Kelsi Ford. We follow a group of friends grow up and apart as life events inevitably return them to the same tree. This was an experimental, partially devised production built with the cast. It premiered at Alchemical Studios, NY.
Previous Work
Young Frankenstein
Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks, Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Directed by Matthew Kiesling. The stage musical adaptation of Mel Brooks’ legendarily funny film – Young Frankenstein! This production was performed at Long Lake Camp for the Arts, NY.
Clue
Created by Jonathan Lynn, Sandy Rustin, Hunter Foster, Eric Price, and Michael Holland. Directed by Matthew Kiesling. The hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. This production was performed at Long Lake Camp for the Arts, NY.
Current Projects
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The story of a hitchhiker who finds herself caught between bad situations, and must reconcile if she will become a predator or prey.
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A new adaptation of the Faustus story. Written by Meron Langsner, coming to The Tank in April.
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The classic hippy musical follows a the Tribe as they try to build a community of love in a world of hate.