Kat Martin

Social Practice Theatre Artist

Phone:

‪(980) 505-7266

Email:

info@kat-martin.com

Education

MFA Social and Environmental Arts Practice, Prescott College – 2021
MA Theatre History, Criticism, Dramaturgy, and Theory: specializing in Feminist Theatre Theory, The University of South Carolina - 2014
BA English/Drama, with and emphasis in Directing, Queens University of Charlotte – 2006
“Arts Based Community Led Transformation Training,” Center for Performance and Civic Practice Intensive, Chicago – 2018
“Devising Intensive,” Sojourn Theatre, Chicago – 2018
Facilitator Training, The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities – 2016

A Bit About Me

When I was a little girl, I used to wrangle up my countless cousins and make them create plays that we would excitedly show the large circle of adults that raised me. I have always been drawn to the magic of theatre and its ability to bring people together. Theatre has an inherent "event-ness:" it feels special, and it does something. I have been investigating and playing with the theatrical event for most of my life in one capacity or another.

I began studying theatre as a director, which led me to ask questions about vision and what kind of theatre I wanted to make. While trying to answer these questions, I began to study applied theatre-like Augusto Boal, who said, "theatre can help us build our future instead of waiting for it." While working at Virginia Stage Company, I created my first original work, With Your Name Upon My Lips, and got my first taste of devising. I fell in love with the freedom of this form of making. While in Cleveland, Ohio, I connected the craft of devising with my need to make work in liberated antiracist ways. Through devising work with youth who live in the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority developments as a part of the Brick City Program at Cleveland Public Theatre. After fleeing the Ohio winters, I returned to my hometown, Charlotte, NC. I began my MFA from Prescott College in Social and Environmental Arts Practice. Now I make devised immersive theatre in Charlotte that holds space for Charlotteans to explore their past and create their futures.

Work Experience

Current

2017-2018

Teaching Artist – Children’s Theatre of Charlotte 2018- Present

“New Works” Teaching Artist/Playwright/Director: Created and implemented a 12 week curricula that lead Middle School students through a devising process that culminated in 2 public performances. As a part of the Kindness Project, students created a fully realized and teched show centered on the theme of kindness. Created curriculum, taught classes, maintained administrative logs, organized and managed performance elements, wrote and directed original performances. “WINGS Program” Teaching Artist: Used theatre to implement a multi-quarter curricula that lead students in grades kindergarten through fifth through the development of emotional intelligence. As a part of the WINGS Social Emotional Learning curricula, youth used the tools of theatre and art making to practice empathy, make good decisions, and build healthy relationships

Adjnuct Professor – JCSU and Winthrop Univeristy 2018- Present

Education Associate/Brick City Program Site Leader 2017-2018

Created and implemented 12 week skill-building curricula for 5-14-year-olds living in government-subsidized housing. Youth were led through designed curricula that resulted in a public performance of original work. Created curricula, taught classes, maintained administrative logs, organized and managed Teaching Artists, wrote and directed original performances.

2014-2017

Resident Associate Director, Dramaturg and Teaching Artist 2014-2017

Resident Dramaturg: Created dramaturgical materials to engage audiences and enhance production processes for creatives. Researched dramaturgical content and created creative modalities to display relevant information to ground the creative experience for community members, patrons, and creators. Presented dramaturgical work through visual displays, interactive exhibits, and performances. Facilitated audience post show discussions and preshow workshop based audience engagement.
Associate and Assistant Director: Facilitated and created directorial vision, worked with actors/ran rehearsal processes. Assisted in local and out of town casting for mainstage and education shows.
Resident Teaching Artist: Directed education touring shows. Created study guides and educational blogs drawing from dramaturgical research as well as the Standards of Learning established by the State of Virginia for mainstage and touring education shows. Facilitated post-show talk backs and on-site tours for visiting student groups following mainstage shows. Created and executed pre-performance workshops. Managed a team of teaching artists, executed lesson plans that engaged students ranging from grade fifth through twelfth and adults of all ages in preparation for their attendance of mainstage shows. Creator and Manager of Bravo! After School Program: Lead a team of visiting guest artist in the creation of an after-school program focusing on individual expression and empowerment through theatrical techniques. Students in attendance ranged from grades three to six and were completely new to the theatrical process. Bravo! Empowered campers to create based on their unique experience and facilitated deep critical and creative thinking.

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