The backstory . . .
#TrueStory
I spent half of my fifth-grade year pretending that I couldn't see the chalkboard.
Why?
I implemented an elaborate scheme to convince my teacher, Mrs. Trevor, and my parents, that I needed glasses.
All to impress the ingénue of Arnold Elementary School––who during recess–– declared that she'd only date boys that wore glasses. What she didn't express, is that the boys had to be blond-headed surfers, too!
Check out my book,
for the full story.
You may know interdisciplinary artist, educator, and advocate Matthew Shaffer from his television work on the Netflix original series Wet Hot American Summer, or from his notable advice on Dance Moms, or perhaps you recognize him from his short-lived role as a Pottery Barn sales associate. With a career rooted in storytelling across stage, screen, and the classroom, Shaffer continues to shape meaningful dialogue through exploration, performance, education, and authorship.
Matthew’s debut book So You Want To Be A Dancer launched as an Amazon #1 New Release in Performing Arts. His second book, Dancing Out of the Closet––a collection of creative nonfiction essays––is “one of the most delightful and insightful reads in the last few years,” according to CNN contributor Dr. Paul Hokemeyer.
After attending the Orange County School of the Arts, Matthew continued his professional career as a principal dancer for the world-renowned company, Giordano Dance Chicago. Highlighted credits include Cold Case, Jackass Number Two, The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, Hansel & Gretel at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Earth to America with Jason Alexander, Broadway Cares with Rosie O’Donnell, Disney XD’s Kickin’ It, Bunheads, he appears alongside Adam Levine on Broad City, and on the hit show Crazy Ex Girlfriend.
Shaffer has collaborated on over 40 projects across Broadway, film, and television. As a choreographer, Shaffer’s work has been performed by A-listers like Ben Stiller, Rachel Platten (Fight Song), Megan Mullally, Armie Hammer, and Rebel Wilson.
For over two decades, Matthew has led classes and residencies at premier performing arts conservatories and conventions across the United States and Europe. After earning his MFA in directing and choreography from Wilson College, he continues to explore patterns and connections at the intersection of identity and grief in both theatrical and commercial narratives.
Whether directing and choreographing large-scale productions like Matilda the Musical or working with emerging artists in community theaters and festivals, Matthew fosters a creative environment to craft stories grounded in the belief that emotion is genderless, and that we’re all looking to connect and feel validated.
Shaffer is currently a teaching artist with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, and on tour with Fluid Dance Convention. He is the co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Collective Troupe in Los Angeles, CA. You can follow his journey across social media platforms: @funnyshaffer.