Grace Ryan
Staff Writer
Natasha Lee Martin has joined Florida Southern’s faculty as the new Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, Acting and Directing. Martin is originally from Providence, Rhode Island, and earned a B.A. in Theater at the University of New Mexico and an M.F.A. in Acting Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Additionally, she studied and trained in Stanislavsky and Moscow Art Theater at the Actors Studio Program and the Kazan, Hagan and Meisner systems at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Martin even studied abroad in the LaMaMa Umbria Italy Program.
As a member of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Martin has had her writing and producing featured on television and film networks including FOX, TLC and Disney, just to name a few.
Working in Los Angeles for the past 10 years as an actor, director, and producer, she is excited about this new chapter.
“I am grateful to have enjoyed a very warm welcome here at Florida Southern. I feel embraced by the administrators, faculty and students,” said Martin.
She is looking forward to sharing her experiences in the professional world and teaching our students the most important elements for success in live entertainment.
“In addition to teaching techniques and making sure our students have their fingers on the pulse of industry trends, I feel it’s just as important to give them a toolbox to have as a portfolio,” Martin said. “I’m honored to be an integral part of fostering the department’s future vision not only through the robust offerings in the theater curriculum but also through their engagement with and mentorship by faculty in stage productions here who have worked many years as professional artists in the industry.”
Martin looks forward to enhancing the material that is collaborative with the dance, musical theater and music departments and seeing these mediums work together in performing arts harmony. “What we are teaching aligns with the mission of Florida Southern because we are preparing our students to be good citizens and contributors to their community. In productions, we work as a team and it is so important to learn how to be a strong team player, no matter your role,” said Martin.
With challenging plays and musical this year, students will have to grow as actors to break these boundaries they have in place.
“The students will be challenged to push the limits of the medium of performance, not only through various offerings of the curriculum but also through their engagement with, and mentorship by, faculty who have worked as professional artists in the industry. Our goal is to empower our students and instill in them the faith that they can tackle any type of material with confidence,” said Martin.
Martin is grateful to the Florida Southern faculty members who helped her make such a seamless transition.
“Karissa Barber was my lifeline and so helpful as I prepared for this transition. Then there’s Jim Beck, Designer/Technical Director and Stage Director. He is an amazing scene designer with 30+ years of experience and insight into the program’s past, present, and potential future and his role in its continued growth.”
“This semester has already reflected all of the incredible dedication and increased skill sets created by investments from our existing faculty members into our students. Both upperclassmen and incoming freshmen have expressed their eagerness and inspiration for the opportunities they will have to shine in upcoming productions,” said Martin.
