Director
BA (Hons) Theatre Arts (Acting), Manchester Metropolitan University, 1992
PTLLS (Teaching Certificate) – Ascentis Level 4 (Wigan & Leigh College) 2013
Previous projects include community festivals, youth theatre, school workshops, full community & professional productions and bespoke drama projects. Martin is a strong artistic leader who is passionate about working with people creatively.
He is also the Treasurer and Project Manager for Healthy Arts, managing significant community events such as ‘The Mine Is Yours’ (Lancashire Mining Museum) and the ‘Paper Birds Platinum Jubilee Project’ (Leigh Spinners Mill).
With Wigan Pier Theatre Company, Martin established 14 theatre groups, producing and directing numerous productions, such as:
Wicked Wigan – a new writing competition in partnership with North West Playwrights which resulted in four short plays being created and judged to source a new full-length play for a diverse group of community actors.
A Terrible Affray – a site-specific piece of theatre for the Museum of Wigan Life which looked at living standards in 1895 and the facts surrounding a local murder trial.
Platform ‘07 and Platform ‘09 – Wigan & Leigh’s Youth Theatre Festivals, funded by the Arts Council: celebratory showings of local youth theatre work and short plays.
Down Memory Lane – intergenerational theatre work with teenagers and retired residents.
Say The Word / R U Ready? – Theatre-in-Education tours tackling the issues of teenage pregnancy, sexual health, peer pressure, self-confidence and body image.
The Wednesday Club – director and actor alongside teenage boys exploring attitudes to literature, education and crime.
Martin has portable DBS clearance and holds Public Liability Insurance through Equity membership as well as company insurance via Hencilla Canworth & Hiscox.
Our work often involves co-production – with the Local Authority, schools, health professionals, venues and funders. Projects can also involve cross-art form working and we are experienced in combining drama projects with creative writing, music, dance, visual arts and film.
We have received training and are highly aware about policies and procedures around Youth Arts practice, particularly within community settings. We value engagement with young people and support them as emerging leaders.
Martin has managed countless grants from numerous sources – including larger pots of funding from the Arts Council and the National Lottery (Heritage Fund & Community Fund). He can help you to design your project and apply for funding should you need this assistance.