MATT DURLAND

Educator-Theatrical Artist
542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, (860) 804-9482 [email protected]

Education
2027 MFA in Acting Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

2024 BFA in Acting Central CT State University

New Britain, CT

Teaching Experience
Instructor Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
2025 INTEGRATIVE ARTS and HUMANITIES 207A
Race and the American Musical

2024 THEATER101
Acting for non-Majors
An exploration of principle foundations of acting methodologies suitable for various scene
study exercises, monologue, performance, and character exploration.

2024 THEATER 336

Sex and Sexuality in Theater
A critical examination of the portrayal of sex and sexuality in theater, encompassing script
analysis, performance studies, and historical context.

Teaching Assistant Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI
2025 THEATER 409
Auditioning
A practicum in techniques including cold readings, callbacks, and the business of auditioning
for undergraduate majors.
2025 INTEGRATIVE ARTS and HUMANITIES 211
African Kingdoms, Empires, City-States, and Ethnic Nationalities to Modern Postcolonial
States
Arts and humanities of Africa: literature, art, music, religion, and philosophy presented in
historical context and selected regions, cultures, and themes.

2025 INTEGRATIVE ARTS and HUMANITIES 241

The Creative Process
Philosophical, religious, and historical foundations for understanding the creation process in
visual arts, theatre, music, and literature. Variations across eras and societies.

2024 THEATER 301

Acting 3: Drama Studies
Intensive practicum including scene study, rehearsal, and performance of works by twentieth-
century American playwrights such as Williams, Miller, O'Neill, Albee, and Odets.

Guest Lectures Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

2024 THEATER 101

Acting for non-Majors
Exploring script analysis methods through Lynn Nottage's Poof!

2024 THEATER 202

Acting the Song
Acting the song exploration through Musical Theatre techniques.

Artistic Leadership
Associate Artistic Director Times Fool Company
Wethersfield, CT
2021-2023
Served as one of two founding Artistic Directors responsible for producing free, reimagined
Shakespearean works at the Wethersfield Historic Society.

Awards
2024 Academic Achievement Graduate Assistantship The Graduate School
 Michigan State University
Nominated by department faculty for work both academically and artistically as a BIPOC
artists.

2023 David Wheeler Directing Award KCACTF Festival

Region 1
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Award for Best Actor / Director
communication on production of 10 Billion.

2023 Thaddeus Torp Award for Theatre Excellence Theater Department

Central CT State University
Department Award and Scholarship for $2,500 for contributions to department both service and
academically.

Certifications
2025 Level 2 Teacher Trainee The Meisner Institute

2025 Level 1 Margolis Method Certification

Hybrid
Achieving Level 1 certification focuses on the pedagogical and philosophical breakdown of
exercises and improvisational structures, making sure the teacher can manifest and share
concepts with students.

Creative Work
Acting

2024 Gwen
2024 Brady
2023 Father
2023 Bentley
2023 Michael
2022 Cooper
2022 Capulet
2022 Speaker
2018 Michael
2016 Claude
2016 Tranio
2015 Actor 4
2015 Dodger
2014 Chip

Directing

2024 Great Trailer Park Musical Blue Fire Stage Co. Middletown, CT
2023 Freaky Friday Blue Fire Stage Co. Haddam, CT
2022 Smokey Joe’s Café (AD) Ivoryton Playhouse Ivoryton, CT
2022 Contractions Central CT State Univ. New Britain, CT
2022 25th ... Spelling Bee Medolark Arts Center Washington, ME
2022 An Empty Plate (AD) Central CT State Univ. New Britain, CT
2022 10 Billion K.C.A.C.T.F. Region 1
2022 The Only Thing You Came to Hear K.C.A.C.T.F. Region 1
2021 The Wolves (AD) Central CT State Univ. New Britain, CT
2018 Romeo and Juliet Medolark Arts Center Washington, ME
2017 13 Medolark Arts Center Washington, ME
2017 Legally Blonde Medolark Arts Center Washington, ME
2017 Honk! Medolark Arts Center Washington, ME

Music Direction / Key 1 / Conductor

2025 School of Rock Chestnut Street Playhouse dir. Geri Frishman

2024 Matilda Chestnut Street Playhouse dir. Geri Frishman
2022 Songs for A New World Spotlight Stage Company dir. Chris Zullo
2021 Mamma Mia Medolark Arts Center dir. Nate Russo
2019 H2$ Wilbur Cross High School dir. Heather Bazinet
2018 Mr. Burns University of New Haven dir. Meg Savilonis
2018 Cabaret University of New Haven dir. Jonathan Yukich
2018 Leader of the Pack Sacred Heart Academy dir. Mary DeLaney
2018 Sister Act Wilbur Cross High School dir. Sal DeLucia
2018 Rock of Ages Phoenix Theater Company dir. Chris Ryan
2017 A Chorus Line University of New Haven dir. Jonathan Yukich
2017 Is There Life After School Wilbur Cross High School dir. Heather Bazinet
2017 Rocky Horror Phoenix Theater Company dir. Chris Ryan
2017 Cabaret Mt. Holyoke College dir. Noah Tulejo
2016 13 West Kaynor Technical dir. Paulette Nelson
2015 A Funny Thing…Forum Naugatuck Valley Theater dir. Christie Long
2013 Wizard of Oz Bristol Central High School dir. Lindsey Shea

Orchestrations

2022 Songs for A New World Spotlight Stage Company dir. Chris Zullo
New Orchestration: Keyboard 1, Keyboard 2, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass, Drums

2018 Mr. Burns University of New Haven dir. Meg Savilonis

New Orchestration: Piano, Trumpet, Reed, Glockenspiel, Guitar

2017 A Chorus Line University of New Haven dir. Jonathan Yukich

New Orchestration: Keyboard 1, Keyboard 2, Trumpet, Trombone, Reed 1, Reed 2, Bass,
Drums

2017 Is There Life After School Wilbur Cross High School dir. Heather Bazinet
New Orchestration: Piano, Cello, Reed, Bass, Guitar 1, Guitar 2, Trombone, Drums

University Service

2024 – 2025 M.F.A. Acting Faculty Liaison Department of Theater

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Represent the M.F.A. Acting cohort at faculty department meetings. Voice

concerns, needs, and advocate for the success of students.

Workshops
Facilitated

2025 “Meisner, Meisner, Meisner” MI Educational Theater Association

Lansing, MI

2025 “Using the Verse in Shakespeare” Central Connecticut State University

New Britain’s, CT
Examining how to use the verse within Shakespeare’s text to bring clarity, authenticity, and
dynamic energy to the performer. By using the fundamentals of iambic pentameter, line breaks,
word, play, and beats the actor has a stronger connection to the language.

2024 “Booking the Audition!” MI Educational Theater Association

Lansing, MI
Exploring how actors can effectively market themselves and stand out in casting calls.
Coaching essential techniques for preparing, networking, and navigating the audition process
with confidence and professionalism.

2024 “The 32-Bar Cut” MI Educational Theater Association

Lansing, MI
Helping performers master the art of selecting and presenting the perfect 32-bar excerpt for
auditions. Participants gain valuable insight into song structure, style, and the skills needed to
make an impression in a short amount of time.

2024 “Sondheim Shenanigans” MI Educational Theater Association

Lansing, MI
A playful and insightful workshop exploring the unique complexities of Stephen Sondheim's
musical style and lyrics. Analyzing the rhythms, characterizations, and storytelling.

Attended

2024 “Staged Intimacy Workshop” Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI
Introduction to the vocabulary, practices, and protocols for Staged Intimacy and consensual
Partnering for classroom, rehearsal, and performance.

Professional Development Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Training provides fundamental concepts, skills, and practices; understanding of MSU’s values
and initiatives; DEI policies and resources; awareness of underrepresented community
members; and actions to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

2024 Sexual Assault Prevention

Training to identify sex discrimination, sexual harassment, relationship violence, and sexual
misconduct; end these forms of violence; understand MSU’s Relationship Violence and Sexual
Misconduct Policy; and access support and resources.

2024 Active Violence Incident

Training by the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. Defines an active violence
incident (AVI) and provide participants with how to be prepared at MSU, identify and report
behaviors of concern, steps to take during an AVI to protect yourself.

2024 Fire Extinguisher Awareness

Training that includes brief questions introducing factors for deciding when to fight a small,
contained fire yourself and when to initiate emergency alert and response aid; and elements for
successfully using various types of extinguishers.

2024 FERPA for Employees

Training course that describes the purpose of FERPA, define key terms, and recited the basic
student rights under FERPA.

References

Dr. Deric McNish

Associate Professor of Acting and Director of MFA in Acting
Department of Theater
Michigan State University
917-693-4079
[email protected]

Christie Maturo
Associate Professor of Acting and Chair of Theater
Department of Theater
Central Connecticut State University
661-345-4549
[email protected]

Geri Frishman
Board Director
Chestnut Street Playhouse
860-303-2213
[email protected]