Martha
Theatre Studies
Fourth Year
Hometown: London
Extra-Curricular Involvement:
l realize I haven’t done any extracurriculars here at Western. I do work in the local theatre community and am currently working on two plays (directing an opera that goes up next week and acting in a show that goes up in February). I have a 12-year-old son who also has the acting bug and he was in The Music Man last season at Stratford, so that kept me very busy as well.
Why did you choose Arts and Humanities at Western?
Working in theatre has been my dream for as long as I can remember, though it took me a long time to find the confidence to pursue it as a possible way of life. I was in my early 30s when I really got started and by that time I had a couple of kids and deep roots in the London area. I had done a couple of years toward a BA here at Western in the early 1990s but I didn’t finish. In retrospect, I see that that was due in part to knowing that what I wanted to study was theatre and that wasn’t an option. Things changed in 2016 when a friend suggested I should look into the Theatre Studies program at Western. I said, “What Theatre Studies program at Western?!” and everything fell into place after that.
What is one highlight of your Western experience so far?
Last term I studied Toronto Culture and Performance and that was a fabulous course because we were able to see five very different shows in Toronto and then talk and write about them. The class was open to Theatre Studies, English and SASAH students so we had a large, interesting, energetic group of people which made for great discussions about each show. Studying texts is always interesting but getting to experience so much theatre is definitely a highlight.
What are your plans after graduation?
I have always wanted to do a conservatory style acting program and am considering a post degree program in acting or possibly directing. My son wants to get an agent though, so I may end up being his chauffeur.
What advice would you give to incoming Arts and Humanities students?
Take a Theatre Studies course!
What is the best thing about your department?
The people. The professors in Theatre Studies are so knowledgable and engaging, passionate and supportive - and fun. I’m so glad I decided to come back to school when I did.
