hey, i'm martin.
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If any of my works can move people, then that's plenty enough for me; whether tears of joy, sadness, or dust allergies.
When I graduated in 2019 from Castleton with a degree in Multimedia & Communication, I was the first student to have graduated with a custom-built program tailored to my strengths and interests. I really wasn't interested in specializing in one specific thing. I wanted to get the most well-rounded education relevant to my pursuits. So my advisor helped me build a degree that compiled classes in film, photography, radio, journalism, editing, scriptwriting, graphic and website design, acting, and composing. I wanted to become the Avatar.
And they all involved telling stories. From visual art, to movement, to spoken word, to the unspoken, and everything in between and beyond. It all culminated in a love for every form of storytelling, and a desire to explore and add their forms to the stories I wanted to tell. It moved me to both enjoy AND pay more attention to the way I consume media, too. From the shows I binge, to the games I play, to the podcasts I listen to, I appreciate them all so much more. I know how much care and time and creativity go into these projects, and that behind every story is a fellow human here to make me lean back, or lean in.
I started writing shows with the student audiences in mind, to subvert their expectations. To write a show where they lean forward in the first 10 seconds, and want to bring their friends back the next night. I write the kind of shows I want to see now, and the shows I wish I could've seen when I was younger. By the second rehearsal week of my first show, we had students showing up to sit and watch that weren't even involved. They just said: "We didn't think theatre could be like this."
As a full-time photographer/videographer with a love for theatre, I get hired to shoot about a dozen shows a year. And interestingly, for archival recordings, I get to see a lot of audiences each year, too. It's no surprise that student audiences have a tough time with theatre. I watched for years as teachers brought kids to see Shakespeare, or "The Classics," or really heavy shows. And it's not the introduction they need to want to come back. I vividly remember at the end of one performance where a student turned to his friend and said: "I'd rather off myself than sit through another one of these." It was a sentiment clear on the faces of hordes of young people, from high school to college students, year after year after year. So when I started writing plays, it was with a few things in mind:
licensing a show
Ready to bring one of my shows to your stage? I'll buckle up. You'll buckle up. And we'll all enjoy the ride, together.
A licensing agreement will be sent your way to look over. We both autograph it, and then you send a check.
The only thing left is for the show to get rolling! I'll be available for any questions, concerns, or requests.
Submit a licensing request by clicking on the button below and following the instructions.
LICENSING INFO
What next?
READ THE PLAYS
If you're starting here before diving into my work, at least everything will make a whole lot more sense once you get there. If you're not familiar with my work, know that by the time I retire, I'll probably be sick of the word Aisle. *New readers should consider Aisle 6 first.
Where can I find your work?
"I spent four years trying to get one of my stories on stage, and while there were moments of deep depression, I wouldn't be here without...
Why It's Important to Enjoy the Process
"I sit up front with the writer, director, and stage manager – feeling very official – bracing myself for the rumored raunchiness...
Alum unveils new play at Castleton
"While AISLE 6 is undoubtedly funny, what sets it apart is the honest moments where the characters reflect on their choices. The play...
Aisle 6 Hits the Stage in October
OFF THE PRESS