Matt Liersch

Matt Liersch
He/Them

Acting Creative Producer & Artist & Venue Liaison, Feast Festival

My path into the sector has been far from traditional. It’s a common story among producers – falling into the role through practice rather than planning – and that couldn’t be more true for me. I built my career through hands-on experience at festivals and community theatre: volunteering, stage managing, working front of house, editing social media content, and being an active audience member at plenty of shows. I came to understand the value of every role contributing to the bigger picture, which has been essential to my development as a freelance producer and to my role at Feast Festival.

I’ve always found it hard to explain what a producer actually does. For me, it’s about lifting an idea off the page and bringing it to life on stage, making sure everything in between runs smoothly. It’s part logistics, part creative cheerleading, and all about connection.

I can’t emphasise enough the importance of just showing up. I got my first job in the industry after being scouted at the Adelaide Fringe artist bar by a producer who simply appreciated the way I interacted with the artist she represented. Two weeks later, I was working on Reuben Kaye’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival season! I’ve since worn many hats, working at major festivals across Australia with celebrated cabaret and comedy performers including Tash York, Hannah Conda, and Kween Kong.

Over time, I’ve forged a path as a generalist: learning about touring, marketing, grant writing, tech coordination, and audience development. These experiences have given me a broad understanding of how festivals tick, and in 2025, I was proud to be awarded Overall Best Emerging Producer at Adelaide Fringe.

My advice? Get involved. Volunteer, attend workshops, seek mentorships, say yes to small gigs, and experience festivals from every angle. This industry thrives on community, and curiosity will take you further than you think.

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This article is part of the Festival & Event Industry Career Profiles series, a collection highlighting the diverse stories of Adelaide’s finest festival professionals. 

Photography by: Jack Fenby