Matt Torney

Matt Torney

Originally from Belfast, Matt worked as a freelance director in Ireland before moving to the United States in 2006 to complete an MFA in directing at Columbia University.  Matt has directed extensively in New York, regionally in the USA, and internationally, and his productions have been nominated for numerous awards.

Matt's work is grounded in the idea that theatre, and other live art forms, are a vital response to a world that is becoming increasingly displaced onto digital platforms and virtual communication. Artists and audience come together in the same space, united by stories that celebrate, console, and wrestle with the complexity of modern life.  Matt believes that the best work happens when a theatre connects deeply with its community, welcomes diverse voices, and fearlessly investigates the present moment.

Matt directs both new plays and dynamic productions of classics, with a focus on deep work with actors, and creating vivid imagery through design.  Recent work includes Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards),  If I Forget by Steven Levenson (nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards), MotherStruck! by Staceyann Chin (nominated for 2 Helen Hayes Awards including ‘Best Production’), and The Hard Problem by Tom Stoppard.

Prior to joining Theatrical Outfit, Matt was the Associate Artistic Director of Studio Theatre, one of the leading contemporary theatre companies in DC.  Before that, Matt was the Director of Programming for Origin Theatre, an Off-Broadway company whose mission is to bring the best of European new writing to the USA.  Additionally, from 2007 to 2015, Matt was an Associate Director of Rough Magic in Dublin, one of Ireland’s leading independent theatre companies for over 30 years.

Related Productions

Originally from Belfast, Matt worked as a freelance director in Ireland before moving to the United States in 2006 to complete an MFA in directing at Columbia University.  Matt has directed extensively in New York, regionally in the USA, and internationally, and his productions have been nominated for numerous awards.

Matt’s work is grounded in the idea that theatre, and other live art forms, are a vital response to a world that is becoming increasingly displaced onto digital platforms and virtual communication. Artists and audience come together in the same space, united by stories that celebrate, console, and wrestle with the complexity of modern life.  Matt believes that the best work happens when a theatre connects deeply with its community, welcomes diverse voices, and fearlessly investigates the present moment.

Matt directs both new plays and dynamic productions of classics, with a focus on deep work with actors, and creating vivid imagery through design.  Recent work includes Doubt by John Patrick Shanley (nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards),  If I Forget by Steven Levenson (nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards), MotherStruck! by Staceyann Chin (nominated for 2 Helen Hayes Awards including ‘Best Production’), and The Hard Problem by Tom Stoppard.

Prior to joining Theatrical Outfit, Matt was the Associate Artistic Director of Studio Theatre, one of the leading contemporary theatre companies in DC.  Before that, Matt was the Director of Programming for Origin Theatre, an Off-Broadway company whose mission is to bring the best of European new writing to the USA.  Additionally, from 2007 to 2015, Matt was an Associate Director of Rough Magic in Dublin, one of Ireland’s leading independent theatre companies for over 30 years.