Matthew Robins

Matthew grew up in the city of Boise Idaho where an inspiring high school drama teacher first exposed him to the theatre. He pursued this art at Whitman College where he received a BA in Theatre. While at Whitman, under the tutelage of Alan McEwen, he began to explore the intricate world that existed behind the curtain and around the actors. He left Whitman in 2000 with a keen interest in technical theatre and followed that interest to New York.

A summer at The Forrestburgh Playhouse led to an opportunity within New York City where Matthew became the Assistant Production Manager for Soho Rep. While he loved the work he was creating, the lure of the North West drew him back to Whitman to complete his teaching certificate and apply for graduate schools.

Matthew moved to Eugene to pursue a MFA in technical theatre and design at the University of Oregon. Working with a teaching fellowship, he was able to explore his passion for technical theatre while honing his skills as a teacher. He graduated in 2004 in a ceremony for which he designed the lights.

With little money and no job Matthew decided to stake a claim in the city he had grown to love. He moved to Portland and found work at Acme Scenic and Display which led to freelance work in various theatres in the Portland area as well as two summers as Assistant Technical Director for The Colorado Shakespeare Festival. After two years in Portland he accepted a position as Shop Foreman at Artist Repertory Theatre in 2006.

While enjoying the work he was doing Matthew still longed to teach as well as create. Lewis & Clark College has given him the opportunity to do both. Now you can find his office in the heart of the Fir Acres Theatre.