Matthew Saunders

Matthew Saunders is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theater at Swarthmore College and a renowned scenic designer based in Philadelphia. He is a founding member and Associate Artistic Director of the OBIE Award-winning experimental theater company New Paradise Laboratories (NPL), with whom he has collaborated for over two decades. His work spans theater, opera, and dance, and has been featured at major venues including Lincoln Center, The Public Theater, The Kennedy Center, Yale Repertory Theatre, and the Guthrie Theater.

Education:

• MFA in Design from Yale School of Drama

Research & Creative Interests:

Saunders specializes in scenic and projection design for both traditional and devised performance works. His creative practice integrates visual storytelling with innovative staging techniques, often exploring speculative realism, historical narratives, and social commentary. His designs are noted for their conceptual depth and visual impact, frequently blending architecture, multimedia, and immersive environments.

He has contributed to a wide range of genres, including classical plays, contemporary dramas, operas, and experimental devised works. His collaborations with New Paradise Laboratories often involve the creation of original performance pieces that challenge conventional narrative structures and audience engagement.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• OBIE Award (as part of New Paradise Laboratories)
• 2015 Hodder Fellow, Princeton University
• 2014 Pew Fellow in the Arts
• Drama Desk Award for Best Set Design for a Play (2019) – Daddy
• Audelco Award for Best Set Design (2023) – FLEX

Collaborations & Labs:

Saunders is deeply embedded in the professional theater community. Beyond his role at Swarthmore, he maintains an active freelance practice, currently designing for seven ongoing projects, including three world premiere devised works. His affiliations include long-term partnerships with New Paradise Laboratories, Wilma Theater, and numerous national and international institutions.