Mr. Brian Kenneth Martin

With nearly two decades of experience in Theatre arts Brian Martin is an accomplished Fin Arts Professional. Martin began his professional career in theatre (2000) after earning the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) in Theatre Arts and a Minor in Music from Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. Martin went on to earn a Graduate certificate in African-American Theatre and the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Graduate certificate in Pan- African Studies from the University of Louisville in Louisville Kentucky. Mr. Martin is a relentless supporter of education and the arts. Currently, Martin serves as Professor of Theatre and Interim Chair for the Department of Theatre and Dance at Alabama State University (ASU), in Montgomery, Alabama.

During his tenure at ASU, Martin has exposed students to and advanced many national accomplishments. Serving as the Director of Dramatic Guild, Advisor to the Student Government Association, Director and coordinator of the Miss Alabama State University Coronation, Director of the ASU Convocation, Director of Elite Models, and Eclectic Dance Company. Martin has received several awards for coordinating official events, including the university convocations, Presidential Inaugurations, and for spearheading key events with students groups.

Beyond his local achievements Martin has earn international recognition from the governments of several countries including Seoul South Korea, South Africa, and Trinidad Tobago. He has leveraged much international collaboration and has served as a consultant to several Arts Institutions. Martin has contributed to and served on several Boards, Councils and Associations including the Alabama Council of the Arts as a grant reviewer and the Black Theatre Network as Treasurer.

Martin has served several terms as a Regional Respondent for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival which is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. Many of his students were afforded the opportunity to compete at the Kennedy Center, American College Theatre Festival in Washington D.C. Four years in a row, an astonishing record, Martins’ students have competed in the program and won, earing the title of “Regional Champions”. Martin received the Meritorious Achievement Award for Excellence in Directing from the Kennedy Center for the double-billed production of “Da Kink in My Hair” by Trey Anthony, and for “Black Boys Who Have Considered Homicide When the Streets Were Too Much” by Keith Antar Mason. In addition, Martin received awards for directing Black N’ Blue Boys, Broken Men and Black Nativity (2015); The Piano Lesson and RENT (2014); Richard III (2013); For Black Boys Who Considered Homicide When the Streets Were Too Much (2011); and Smokey Joe’s Café (2009).

Martin loves educating and empowering students to reach their maximum potential; he believes that a student’s matriculation through academia and the world is not only a new experience it is another scene in a much larger script.

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