Our Story
About Us
Our Mission
Finished Hat Productions was founded with a singular purpose: to create theatre that matters. We believe that live performance is one of the most powerful forces for empathy and understanding in the world today.
Our name comes from the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim from Sunday in the Park with George. "Finishing the Hat" examines the struggle of the artist to live both an artistically fulfilling life and a loving personal life outside of the studio. At Finished Hat Productions, we work collaboratively to build work that helps artists to find pride in their work while also respecting the world outside of the rehearsal room. When the "hat" is finished, we are able to share it with you, our audience, in ways that are thrilling for all parties.
Our founder was inspired by the late David Matthews and his view on live performacne. When referring to the audience, he would end every backstage speech with "give 'em love and they'll give it back" meaning by putting your heart into your performance, the audience will, in turn, return that love back.
In loving memory of David Matthews (1941-2021)
Meet The Team
Founder/Artistic Director - Kyle Aarons
Kyle Aarons is the Founder and Artistic Director of Finished Hat Productions, a theatre company dedicated to producing ensemble-driven work across both classical and contemporary repertoire. His artistic leadership emphasizes actor-centered process, unified storytelling across disciplines, and a collaborative approach to text, design, and performance.
As a director, Kyle’s work includes the inaugural Finished Hat Productions production The Spitfire Grill, Honk! (Studio Theatre of Bath; nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Musical – Community Theatre), Once Upon a Mattress (Studio Theatre of Bath), and Much Ado About Nothing (Jonesing for Theater). His directing practice spans both plays and musicals, with a focus on clarity of storytelling, strong ensemble architecture, and a grounded, text-first approach to staging that prioritizes character and relationship.
As a performer, Kyle has appeared in roles including Edward Bloom in Big Fish (Hatbox Theatre; nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical), Alfie Byrne in A Man of No Importance (Players’ Ring), Jamie in The Last Five Years (Studio Theatre of Bath), George in Sunday in the Park with George, Balladeer / Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins, and Bud Davenport in Gutenberg! The Musical! (Maine premiere). His performance work moves fluidly between musical theatre and straight plays, with an emphasis on emotionally layered storytelling, grounded character work, and roles that balance humor, vulnerability, and dramatic precision.
In addition to his work as a director and performer, Kyle is a music director, multi-instrumentalist, and has experience in fight direction, intimacy coordination, and sound design. This multidisciplinary background informs a holistic approach to theatre-making, with an emphasis on integrated storytelling and clear collaboration across creative departments.
Through Finished Hat Productions, Kyle is committed to developing theatre that is artist-informed, collaboratively built, and grounded in strong narrative architecture, with a focus on work that is both artistically rigorous and accessible to contemporary audiences.
