Matthew J. Kilgore hails from southern Indiana where he started piano and dance lessons at the age of four. In grade school, he showed a growing interest in all things theatrical; singing in school and church choirs, and performing in school musicals. He attended Millikin University, Butler University and worked for Royal Caribbean International before making the move to New York CIty.
Upon arrival in NYC, Matthew immediately jumped into the audition pool. After only nine auditions, he landed his first job and received his Equity card as a cut dancer and male swing in A Chorus Line. He spent 2002 in Europe on tour with Jesus Christ Superstar and then lived in Russia while performing in 42nd Street, the first English language musical to be presented in an open-ended engagement in Moscow. He has worked in regional and stock theaters all over the United States.
He first danced on a Broadway stage wearing high-heels as a 'Bonnet Beauty' in the opening number for Easter Bonnet 2005 at the New Amsterdam Theatre and has since appeared in seven productions for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an organization close to his heart. In the summer of 2007 Matthew produced a one night only cabaret entitled We Are What We Are, featuring the cast of the Ogunquit Playhouse production of La Cage aux Folles, that raised $3000 for BC/EFA. As the BC/EFA fundraising coordinator on various tours throughout his career, Matthew has helped raise over $100,000 for Broadway Cares and various charities. In November 2007, Matthew was honored to be named the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Volunteer of the Month.
On December 5, 2009 he realized his childhood dream, making his Broadway debut in Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Marriott Marquis.
Matthew feels fortunate to have worked with such noteable directors and choreographers as Walter Bobbie, Baayork Lee, Randy Skinner, Jerry Mitchell, Denis Jones, BT McNicholl, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Marc Robin, Shea Sullivan and Chase Brock, to name a few. He has also had the opportunity to share the stage with Rosie O'Donnell, Sandy Duncan, Topol, Patrick Cassidy, Vicki Lewis, Jon Secada, Doris Eaton Travis, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Eden Espinosa.
In the fall of 2015, Matthew joined the dance faculty at AMDA New York. He teaches ballet, jazz, tap, theater dance, gymnastics, and audition prep seminar. His choreography has been included in Dance Theater Showcase.
In addition to performing and teaching, Matthew works regularly as a costume associate/assistant to Philip Heckman, as a freelance stitcher, dresser, and designer. Matthew has spent many years volunteering in all facets from costume coordinator to costume designer for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.