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Matt Shakman

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BIO

As a child actor, Shakman played Graham "J.R." Lubbock, Jr. in the Growing Pains spin-off series Just the Ten of Us (1988–1990). His other television acting credits include The Facts of Life, Highway to Heaven, Diff'rent Strokes, Night Court, Good Morning, Miss Bliss and Webster. He also appeared in the films A Night at the Magic Castle (1988), and Meet the Hollowheads (1989).



Shakman is the founder and Artistic Director of the Black Dahlia Theatre (BDT) in Los Angeles, which was named one of "a dozen young American companies you need to know" by American Theatre Magazine.

Since 2002, Shakman has mostly been directing for television. Among his credits include Succession, Mad Men, Six Feet Under, The Boys, The Great, House M.D., Fargo, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (also executive producer).

Shakman directed the episodes "The Spoils of War" and "Eastwatch" for the seventh season of the HBO series Game of Thrones in 2017. In August of the same year, Shakman was appointed as the new artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.

In 2017, TriStar Pictures announced that Shakman would direct its upcoming "live-action/hybrid" film adaptation of The Phantom Tollbooth.

In 2021, Shakman directed and executive produced the Marvel Studios miniseries WandaVision for Disney+. Later that year, it was revealed that Shakman would direct a film in the Star Trek franchise. In late August 2022, Shakman was in early talks to direct the Marvel Studios film Fantastic Four, set to release in 2025, replacing Jon Watts who exited the project to take a break from superhero films. On August 26, 2022, Shakman exited the Star Trek film, citing "scheduling issues", before being confirmed as the Fantastic Four director just weeks later.

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Director

News


Work by Colman Domingo & More Set for New York Theatre Workshop 2024/25 Season

New York Theatre Workshop has revealed its 2024/25 Season. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
THE LONELY FEW Extends Off-Broadway Through June 9

 MCC Theater has announced an extension for the New York Premiere of The Lonely Few. Tickets are on sale for the new dates now!
MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS Renewed at Apple TV+; Spin-Off Series Coming

Apple TV+ has just announced that its broadly acclaimed, global hit Monsterverse series “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,' has been renewed for a second season. On the heels of the monstrous success of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” Apple TV+ has also struck a new multi-series deal with Legendary Entertainment, which includes a second season of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” and multiple spinoff series based on the franchise. 
MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS Releases Artwork and New Trailer - Watch Here!

Watch a new trailer and get a first look at the artwork for Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, starring Kurt and Wyatt Russell here!
Video: Watch Apple TV+'s MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS Trailer

Based on Legendary’s Monsterverse, and starring Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” will debut with the first two episodes, followed by one episode every Friday through January 12. Watch the video now!
Photos: Apple TV+ Unveils First-Look at Godzilla & Titans Live Action Original Series

Apple TV+ announced the title of its highly anticipated sci-fi drama based on Legendary’s Monsterverse as “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” and unveiled the first photos from the 10-episode series starring Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski.
Interview: Ramiz Monsef's Returns to the Geffen to Spread His ANTS

Ramiz Monsef’s The Ants world premieres June 29, 2023 at the Geffen Playhouse (with previews already started). Pirrone Yousefzadeh directs this horror play with the cast of Hugo Armstrong, Nicky Boulos, Megan Hill, Jeremy Radin and Ryan Shrime. Ramiz graciously agreed to answer a few of my queries.
How Jefferson Mays and the Design Team of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Are Making Holiday Magic

Broadway’s one-man A CHRISTMAS CAROL starring Jefferson Mays definitely managed magic. It is a rare show that leads even Broadway regulars to leave the theater going: “How did they do that?” BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD and some others have managed, but not many. This show did.
Review: THE INHERITANCE PARTS 1 & 2 at Geffen Playhouse

THE INHERITANCE is designed to make an audience feel quite a few different kinds of emotions: sadness certainly over lives lost and squandered; seething bitterness over a country adrift; humor over the many creative ways in which smart people cope and endure; and perhaps even a strong inclination to read or stream E.M. Forster’s HOWARDS END.
VIDEO: Annaleigh Ashford, Robin de Jesús & More Star in WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES Trailer

Hulu has shared the trailer for “Welcome to Chippendales,” which stars Annaleigh Ashford, Robin de Jesús, Andrew Rannells, and more. The series also stars Kumail Nanjiani, Murray Bartlett, Juliette Lewis, and Quentin Plair. Watch the new video trailer now!
Jefferson Mays Will Play 50+ Roles in A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Broadway

Producers Hunter Arnold and Kayla Greenspan announced that Jefferson Mays’ universally celebrated, one man virtuoso, tour-de-force performance in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will be coming to Broadway this holiday season for a strictly limited 66-performance engagement at the Nederlander Theatre. Mr. Mays, who is currently performing as Mayor Shinn ten blocks north in The Music Man, will depart that role on October 23rd.
Industry Pro Newsletter: No Good Answer on Masks, New Funds for Upgrades in London

Theatre companies across the globe continue to grapple with some of the earliest questions posed upon reopening: what to do about masks? As more mixed policies come into play, we continue to see that there are segments of the audience that won’t come with masks, and segments that won’t come without, putting producers in a difficult position.
Matt Shakman to Step Down as Artistic Director of The Geffen Playhouse

The Geffen Playhouse’s artistic director, Matt Shakman, announced he will step down from his role in February.
Geffen Playhouse Announces $25MM Endowment Campaign and Raises $1MM at Annual Fundraiser

Geffen Playhouse celebrated its 25th Anniversary and raised $1 million for the theater’s education, community engagement and artistic initiatives at its signature Backstage at the Geffen annual fundraiser held June 4, it was announced today. 
Shirley Chen, Emma Galbraith & More to Star in MAN OF GOD at Geffen Playhouse

Geffen Playhouse today announced the full cast for its production of Man of God, written by Anna Ouyang Moench (Mothers, Birds of North America) and directed by Maggie Burrows (TRAYF, Damsels). 
Geffen Playhouse Announces 2022/2023 Season, Including New Musical THE LONELY FEW Starring Lauren Patten

Geffen Playhouse today announced six productions that will make up the 2022/2023 season in its Gil Cates and Audrey Skirball Kenis Theaters, with one additional production to be announced for the Gil Cates Theater.
THE GREAT Season Two Sets DVD Release

With Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult reprising their Golden Globe®-nominated roles, Season Two finds Catherine finally taking the Russian throne for her own. The 4-disc DVD set features all ten episodes from Season Two, plus exclusive deleted scenes and an uproarious blooper reel. Season Two is now available for purchase on Digital platforms.
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for Season Two of THE GREAT on Hulu

The series stars Elle Fanning as Catherine, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, and more. In season two of “The Great,” Catherine finally takes the Russian throne for her own, facing the difficult realities of ‘liberating' a country that doesn’t want to be. Watch the new trailer now!
WANDAVISION Spinoff Starring Kathryn Hahn in the Works

Hahn starred as Wanda's nosy neighbor in the Disney+ limited series, later revealing herself as villain Agatha Harkness. Hahn performed the viral song, 'Agatha All Along' in the series, which was written by 'Frozen' composers Kristin Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez.
Backstage At The Geffen Raises More Than $1 Million For Arts & Education

The evening of unscripted, unannounced storytellers and performers was hosted by comedian, actor, writer and producer Tone Bell and featured personal behind-the-scenes anecdotes from a lineup of surprise celebrity guests including Kenya Barris, Jon M. Chu, Sharon Lawrence and French Stewart.

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