Natasha Lee Martin, MFA
Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, Acting and Directing
It is vital to me to expose students to other masters in the field, but also encourage them to create and explore their personal artistic journey and voice in their own process of self-discovery. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach in the arts—every actor and director has their own personal technique and process, crafted together from coaches, other performers and directors. Students should first use their training to grasp and master the basic skills necessary for their art form. They then must begin maturing as artists by encountering, engaging and testing various methods, tools and techniques- then identifying and personalizing the approaches that best match their unique skill set, intellect and personality to create innovative and memorable performances.
Biography
Natasha Lee Martin was born in Providence, RI and her acting, directing, writing and producing has been seen in television and film on networks such as FOX, TLC, DISNEY, NIPPON TV JAPAN and FRICTIONS.TV. A member of SAG-AFTRA, she trained at the Actor's Studio Program in New York City in Stanislavski, Strasberg, Moscow Art Theater, Kazan, Hagen and Meisner and at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has worked with world renowned directors such as M. Wakabayashi, Arthur Penn, Justin Lin and Spike Lee. Natasha holds an MFA in Acting Pedagogy and trained at the Actor's Studio Program in New York City extensively from world renowned director Arthur Penn (Bonnie and Clyde, The Miracle Worker) executive producer of Law and Order Estelle Parsons, Actress and Acting coach for the Sopranos Susan Aston, and iconic TV Writer Digby Wolfe, where she learned to take risk, excavate the stories of real characters and authenticate herself into the work.
She also trained with Improvisation Legends Gary Austin, David Razowsky, Scotty Watson, Jeff Michalski and Johnny Zito. Her duo "Martin & Shaw" with fellow improvisor Cooper Shaw has performed at Gotham Comedy Club, Theatre 54, The Living Theater and The Producer's Club in New York City. She has also performed in New York City at JACK, Brooklyn, Theater Lab, The Gene Frankel Theater, Raandesk Gallery, Roy Arias, Theatre 54, in Bryant Park. Philadelphia at Society Hill Playhouse, Adrienne Theater, Mummpuppet Theater, Palace Theater. Richmond at Barksdale Theater, Richard Newdick Theater, Kansas City Orchestra. Albuquerque, New Mexico, The Hiland Theater, Sol Arts. Los Angeles at Sacred Fools Theater and T.U. Studios. Professionally produced plays include: The Gene Frankel Theater, Theaterlab and JACK Theater in New York City, Society Hill Playhouse in Philadelphia and Sol Arts in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Education
- MFA Acting Pedagogy Virginia Commonwealth University
- B.A Theater University of New Mexico
Interests
My passion as an avid sailor earned me a 100 Ton Boat Captain License and is an ASA certified sailing instructor. I enjoy sharing my love of the water by teaching sailing and carving a pathway for people to develop the skills to work in the marine industry. A lifelong advocate for clean oceans, my passion for marine conservation is as endless as the sea.​
Awards
- POCR OEI Course Design Rubric Instructor, 2024
- ACUE Grant Inspiring Inquiry and Preparing Lifelong Learners, 2024
- ACUE Grant Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Learning Environment, 2024
- ACUE Effective Teaching Practice Framework, 2023
- Zero Textbook Cost Grant Oxnard College, Oxnard, CA, 2022- 2023
- Faculty Innovation Award: William Jewell College Liberty, MO, 2015
- Innovation Grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City, MO, 2013
- Summer Research Grant, Synesthesia in the Arts: William Jewell College, Liberty, MO, 2013
- Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award: Middlesex College Edison, NJ 2005
Publications
An Interview with Robert Blake Whitehill Author of the book adapted to a feature film Tap Rack Bang Shelton Interactive. Nov, 2014
HowlRound; A Center for Theatre Commons at Emerson College. Finding the Y; Ideation on Directing "A Murder of Crows" in Real Time Theatre, An Interview with Mac Wellman. June, 2014
Projects
Presentations
(2021-2022) Oxnard College - Sight and Sound Festival Industry Trends in Eco-casting
(2015) MATC Production: Confessions of a Synesthetic Sailor; An Interactive Journey Through High Seas Written and Performed by Natasha Lee Martin
(2013) MATC Production Presentation: Finding the Y; Ideation on Directing "A Murder of Crows" in Real Time Theatre including Interview with Mac Wellman.
(2011) Panelist on “Sex and Art” for the Riot Girl; Street Activism & Feminist Expression Underground Howl Organization New York City (2011) Young Women’s Caucus Presentation of Performance Solo Show “45Th Presidency” NYC
(2009) ATHE: NYC Acting and LGBT Focus Groups
(2007) NEA Historic Philadelphia -Conference Presentation: First Person Interpretation in Curriculum Development for History in Secondary and Higher Education, Philadelphia, PA. (2007) NCHE Historic Philadelphia -Conference Presentation: First Person Interpretation in Curriculum Development for History in Secondary Education, Williamsburg, VA
International
"Exploring action in Shakespeare’s scenes and text. Illuminating word to action in the Bard’s plays" - LaMama Theater, E.T.C. Umbria, Spoleto Italy 2013
Professional Workshops Taught
Oxnard, CA. Sight and Sound Film Festival 2019- 2023 “H.O.T. Acting! Headshots, Originality, Training – Becoming a Hot Actor!” Audition workshop and panel for the Sight and Sound Film Festival
Theaterlab NYC, NY July 2014 Devising techniques from Frantic Assembly, UK. (Alison Oddey)
The Lost Studio Theater Los Angeles, CA Nov, 2012 Audition Workshop Actor's Studio NYC, (Viola Spolin)
New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ, Spring 2010 The Theatre Improvisation Toolbox; Using Performance Techniques to Foster Engaged Learning, Community, Literacy and Focus in a Diverse, General Studies Classroom.
Middlesex College Edison, NJ Fall 2009/ Spring 2010 The Modern Actor Audition Technique for Musical Theatre;
Clemente Soto Velez Flamboyan Theatre NYC, NY 2009 Improvisation; Incorporating Grotowski and Fitzmaurice (Co-taught with Stanton Davis Head of BFA Program at NIU)
Sycamore Rouge Theatre Petersburg, VA 2008 Acting for the Camera Audition
Mary Anne Claro Talent Agency Philadelphia, PA 2005 Acting for the Camera: Audition Cold Reading, and Private Coaching: Role Preparation for callbacks
Theatre Virginia New Voices Program Richmond, VA 2000-2003 Character Development Stanislavski’s “Building a Character” and “An Actor Prepares” Script Analysis