Matthew B. Cullen (he/they, él/elle) is a theatre director, producer, and administrator born in Bogotá, Colombia, adopted, then raised in Buffalo, NY. They moved to Brooklyn this past September. He views himself as a generator, facilitator, and curator.

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Their process is focused on disrupting oppressive and harmful practices by centering health, equity, and community. The goal is collective liberation by investing in the process over the product. To learn more about their process and principles, check out The Groundwork.

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Matthew gravitates towards developing new works. New work shapes the future of the American theatre. To break away from the harmful White American Theatre, artists must invest in the development of new material. They’ve been grateful to work with writers like Melis Aker, John J. Caswell, Jr., Lee Cataluna, Jacinta Clusellas, Monty Cole, Harrison David Rivers, Sarah Gancher, Kate Hamill, Chisa Hutchinson, C.A. Johnson, Mike Lew, Sofya Levitsky-Weitz, Alexis Elisa Macedo, Lester Eugene Mayers, Riley Elton McCarthy, Tatiana Pandiani, and Erin Proctor.

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As a director, Matthew spent a year studying under U.K. directors Robert Icke and Lyndsey Turner. They are directing a presentation of CHICANA LEGEND by Alexis Elisa Macedo in June. Currently, they are directing LETTERS I WILL NEVER SEND YOU by performer and poet Angelica McEwan. Additionally, they are a Wingspace Theatrical Design's Mentorship Program as their Directing Mentee for 2023-2024 being mentored by Adil Mansoor and Jessica Holt. Many of their directing credits lay with the development of new work. Previously, he was the Directing Apprentice at Irish Classical Theatre Company. 

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In the world of producing, Matthew is currently lead producing Erin Proctor's PLAGUE PLAY at IATI Theater on E. 4th St.. They are also a part of the team for AZUL: a Bilingual Musical which sold out concerts at 54 Below and Joe’s Pub in spring 2023. Listen to the EP of AZUL here! Since most of Matthew’s experience is in the non-profit realm, they spent spring 2024 attending the Business of Broadway classes to learn about the world of commercial producing.

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In the administrative realm, Matthew began at Repertorio Español as their Artistic Fellow in April. This fellowship is through the Lin-Manuel Miranda Family Foundation. They are also working as the Company Management Advisor for Chautauqua Theater Company. Previous administrative positions have included General Management Fellow (Vineyard Theatre), Company Manager of SCENE PARTNERS and RUSSIAN TROLL FARM (Vineyard Theatre), Company Manager & Assistant Company Manager (Chautauqua Theater Company - summer 2023 and 2022), Artistic Associate (Latiné Musical Theatre Lab), Artistic Curator & Founder (Disruptive Compassion), Operations and Logistics Manager (KMEntertainment), Artistic Intern (Main Street Studios), and countless other positions through his education.

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Why do all of this? Matthew is working to be a co-artistic director of a theatre company that develops new works at all stage. The position is a beautiful blend of the artistic, administrative, and producing work that he loves while still allowing him to direct. 

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While Matthew does not own any pets (sad), they have happily had their mustache for two years now. Photo by Bruce Glikas.