Matt Ball is a theatre maker, director, writer, and educator with extensive experience in the performing arts across the UK and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is currently the Associate Programme Leader at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), where he has directed Things we lost in the floods, What Number do I call?, Songs for the End of the World, and The first.

From 2011 to 2013, Matt was the Creative Associate at National Theatre Wales (NTW), during which he established WalesLab, NTW's initiative for nurturing new talent and ideas. Prior to his tenure at NTW, he was the Artistic Director of Camden People's Theatre from 2006 to 2011, a venue renowned for fostering innovative and experimental performances. Before relocating to the UAE, Ball co-directed and founded "We Made This," a small-scale touring company, and held roles as a creative agent for the Arts Council of Wales and Theatre Programmer at Chapter Arts Centre.

As a director, Matt's portfolio includes productions such as The Girl with Incredibly Long Hair (performed in both English and Welsh), Woyzeck, Light Waves Dark Skies, Anna Karenina, Blood Wedding, Bottled, Crazy Gary’s Mobile Disco, Roy’s Wallet, and Icarus 2.0, which received nominations for both a Stage Award and a Total Theatre Award.

Matt earned his degree in Drama & Theatre Arts from Goldsmiths College and completed an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice (Directing) at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of Advance HE. His teaching experience encompasses positions at institutions such as the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, LABAN, RADA, Guildhall, Mountview Academy, and various universities.

Currently, Matt is authoring The Art of Collaboration: Director and Stage Manager As Co-Creators and Colleagues, for publication by Routledge in 2025. Beyond his professional endeavours, he is a dedicated cyclist, husband, and father.