Bio

Matthew Walsh is a lighting designer. Hailed as “one of the Twin Cities’ brightest rising design stars,” he began his journey in Minnesota, discovering the electric connection between light and storytelling at thirteen. By eighteen, he was serving as the resident lighting designer at Northern Starz Theater Company.

His approach is deeply informed by his background as a self-taught pianist. He treats light with a musician’s sensibility, seeking to find the rhythm and emotional "key" of a scene. His work aspires to a high-fashion theatricality, aiming for clarity, contrast, and collaborative devotion to the text.

In addition to Northern Starz, Matthew has designed across the Twin Cities at venues including The Southern Theater, Open Eye Theatre, Rarig Center, Phoenix Theater, Lakeshore Players, Children’s Performing Arts, and more.

In 2025, Matthew was the inaugural recipient of the ETC Emerging Designer Award at the KCACTF Region V festival. He is also the recipient of numerous University scholarships and grants for his contributions to MSU Theatre & Dance, including the Lee T. & Loretta A. Snilsberg Scholarship.

When not at the console, he is often found studying entertainment history, analyzing fashion photography, or assisting in the restoration and preservation of popular cult musicals in online communities.