Theater News

Game of Thrones's Matt Shakman to Become Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director

The veteran television and film director will work with executive director Gil Cates Jr. to help shape the company’s 2018-19 season.

Matt Shakman has been announced as Geffen Playhouse's next artistic director.
Matt Shakman has been announced as Geffen Playhouse's artistic director.
(© Tristan Fuge)

Geffen Playhouse's board of directors announced that Matt Shakman will be the company's artistic director. He will join the staff on September 20 and begin work on building the 2018-19 season with executive director Gil Cates Jr.

Shakman is perhaps most widely known for his television and film directing credits, having helmed two episodes of the current seventh season of Game of Thrones ("The Spoils of War" and "Eastwatch") as well as being a director and producer of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

He has a history with the Geffen Playhouse, having previously directed the West Coast premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People in 2012, the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher's adaptation of Frederick Knott's Wait Until Dark in 2013, and Joshua Harmon's Bad Jews in 2015.

In addition, Shakman founded Los Angeles's Black Dahlia Theatre, serving as its artistic director from its beginning in 2001. The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awarded him the Milton Katselas Award for Career Achievement in Direction in 2011. Even in his new role at the Geffen Playhouse, however, he will continue to direct for television and film.