David is a skilled and sensitive director and teacher with an extraordinary ability to communicate with actors.  He works with you, not at you.  His process is collaborative and organic and facilitates discovery after discovery.  He creates an immensely supportive environment in which actors are free and safe to do not only their best work, but their bravest and most truthful.   There is no pretension or ego about David – it is always, always about the actor.

Christine Horne, Actor, "The Stone Angel"

David is a highly skilled and trustworthy director. His openness and support of his actors create an immensely positive and nurturing environment. Actors are encouraged to take risks, and to explore the work in a free and uninhibited way. He has a very strong understanding of the script and the characters, and creates a very clear world of the play. He creates a strong reality of that world, and seeks nothing but truth and honesty from his actors to play within it.

Andrea Runge, Actor, Rosalind in "As You Like It", Stratford.

David has an amazing intuition when directing a scene, both with the work and the actor. He creates a safe environment where you feel comfortable to take risks, and knows how far he can push to get the most out of the actor.

Krista Lawley, Actor

David has the ability to bridge the divide between student and teacher because of his warm, friendly and trusting demeanor. He makes it easy to learn and fun to participate. His classes have aided me in many ways; it keeps my acting brain alive during off periods, keeps me in the loop of current industry related topics and I especially appreciate that the work is not 'graded' because it gives me the freedom to explore the craft, trust my impulses and take risks. I would definitely recommend this class to everyone.

Tamsynn-Lee Isaacs

I've had the pleasure of working with David in a number of shows he has directed, where his insightful and intelligent observations never failed to improve my performance. He is very much an "actor's director", and I would recommend his class to anyone wishing to improve their craft.

Jeff Giles, Actor

 

Testimonials

 
  


David's innovative thinking gave me the opportunity to play Shakespeare's Richard II in a production at York University. He is truly an actor's director with a keen eye for truth. He will enable you, as an actor, to go above and beyond where you even imagined you could go.

Kristen Hager, Actor, "CSI: Miami, Wanted, Leslie My Name is Evil."

David Matheson is a thoughtful and supportive teacher. His understanding of classical text is excellent. He has real insights into both how to help an actor open up the character and scene and how to keep the actor work true to the character and scene. As must all good acting teachers, he approaches the actor with a full range of possibilities.

David Smukler, Professor, Department of Theatre, York University

 

I've worked with David Matheson since my exploratory years at York University's Acting Conservatory Program. He directed me in the Gertrude Stein project, work shopped with me for Secondary Wishes and acted with me in Shakespeare projects. However, despite all this, one thing in my mind stands out: When David took a leap of faith casting me as the lead in the musical Secondary Wishes with writer/composer Tom Kerr. Just that small step helped me in many ways, as we worked through the 3-year workshop process with this play. Not only did he build my confidence as a singer and leading lady, but he approached the musical unlike any other...from an actors standpoint, with emotion and conflict! David's keen eye for detail, collective collaboration, and a "no bullshit" mandate allows actors to be honest, open and vulnerable, even if it's a comedy...amazing! Since then, I've been able to call myself the triple threat with an edge, leading to many auditions for CanStage, Canon and Mirvish productions. Without David, I would not have been able to believe what was inside myself...and now I'm excited and scared to take that confidence to Canadian Theatre, TV and Film, thanks Dave!

Jenn E. Young, Actor

David has been an exceptional help to me in my acting. He has a talent for seeing your strengths, and having you work your weaknesses without your first realizing it. His approach to classes is fun, engaging and challenging without being at all intimidating. He doesn't take a heavy handed approach, but has a knack for guiding one in their own discovery of their talents. He's always very encouraging and focuses much more on what's working than picking apart what's not. If you're paying attention in his class, you already know what didn't work...I would certainly recommend his class to anyone seriously considering acting on camera.

J.D. Coulter , Actor

David Matheson is an actor's teacher and director. He is sensitive and intuitive in his discussions with students; taking their concerns seriously while challenging them to new experiences. His insights and encouragements have been invaluable to me in my development as an artist.

Julia Lane, Theatre Artist.