Matthew Bryan Walsh is a Minneapolis/Twin Cities-based theatrical lighting designer.

Operating under a methodology of pop-cultural alchemy, Walsh rejects safe, traditional stage illusions to construct a rigorous visual identity for contemporary performance. His process treats light as a rhythmic, structural engine. As an accomplished self-taught pianist, arranger, and composer, Walsh interprets the stage picture through a composer’s lens—using color volume, graphic silhouettes, and precise architectural containment to locate the fundamental, sonic "key" of a text. His work deliberately bridges the gap between classic dramatic literature and the visceral, high-fidelity adrenaline of modern concert scenography.

Based in the Twin Cities, Walsh has established an expansive professional footprint. His work has been realized across diverse venues, including The Southern Theater, Open Eye Theatre, the Rarig Center, Phoenix Theater, and the Hanifl Performing Arts Center. Through key partnerships with companies such as Jackdonkey Productions, Children’s Performing Arts, and Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts, he has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to scale high-voltage technical rigor across varied theatrical landscapes.

He is the recipient of the 2025 ETC Emerging Designer Award and secured the 1st Place prize for Regional Design at the 2026 KCACTF Region V festival.