Matthew Gardiner (Director) has directed and/or choreographed more than 25 productions at Signature Theatre, including No Place to Go, She Loves Me, RENT, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, La Cage aux Folles, Jelly’s Last Jam, and The Threepenny Opera, as well as several world premieres including Really Really, Soon and Midwestern Gothic.

With Signature’s special commitment to producing the work of Stephen Sondheim, Matthew has directed and/or choreographed many Sondheim musicals including Into the Woods, Passion, Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Sweeney Todd, and the world premiere of Simply Sondheim.

Prior to being named Signature’s Artistic Director in the summer of 2021, Gardiner was Signature’s Associate Artistic Director for over a decade, helping to build several groundbreaking seasons, cultivating relationships with prominent and emerging artists, and overseeing several of Signature’s new work development initiatives.

Outside of Signature, Gardiner has directed and/or choreographed at the DC theaters Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, the Kennedy Center, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Studio Theatre. Gardiner has also worked abroad, choreographing Titanic and directing and choreographing Doctor Zhivago for OD Musical Company in Seoul, Korea.

Gardiner is the recipient of three Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Director of a Musical and has been honored with more than a dozen nominations.