Brenda Cummings, Judith Martin photo: Susan Cook

A modern dancer, a highly skilled visual artist, and a possessor of an original sense of humor and imagination, Ms. Martin weaves together music, dance, visual arts and contemporary tales into theatrical pieces that affirm life’s endless possibility for fun, adventure and surprise. Her theater so intimately reflects a child’s world—each story is taken from a child’s experiences and unfolds in a theatrical environment made of the simplest of everyday objects: cardboard boxes, paper bags, and household objects children recognize and in fact play with—that even the littlest of theatergoers feel a part of the action. They are thrilled to see their imaginations and fantasies so vividly reflected.

While it is the ingenuous melding of artistic forms that creates the magic of Judith Martin’s productions, each art form has been recognized within its own discipline. The 10-foot-tall lady, a paper bag poodle, the cardboard tube family joined by the endless parade of giant brightly colored feet and other fanciful creations have been exhibited in museums across the country. The Paper Bag Players music on albums and cassettes and videos have become early childhood staples. Her plays published independently and incorporated in anthologies of children’s literature assure that The Paper Bag Players shows are performed by professionals and amateur theater groups throughout the world.

To date over 5 million children have seen The Paper Bag Players perform. In addition to 37 of the United States and Canada, England, Scotland, and Wales, The Paper Bag Players have performed in many non-English speaking countries including Israel, Egypt, Hong Kong, Iran, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. The Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo, Japan) noted, “Far from reserved, the children spiritedly participated: singing, shouting, and taking part in all the action, a testament to Ms. Martin’s ability to speak the universal language of fun that all children understand.” Other theater writers have been equally appreciative of her achievements and contributions. Charles Marowitz praised The Paper Bag Players ability to “reach children at their level of consciousness.”

The list of awards received by Judith Martin are unmatched, including: an OBIE for, “raising the level of children’s theater through intelligence and imagination,” The Sara Spencer Award and Jennie Heiden Award from the American Alliance for Theater and Education, two American Theater Wing Awards for, “sustained contributions to American Theater design” and “consistent commitment to excellence in professional theater,” a PARENTS Magazine ‘As They Grow’ Award, a New York State Governor’s Artists Award and most recently an award for Excellence in Theater and Education from The Broadway Institute.

Judith Martin has established a unique theater with a strong personal viewpoint that is vastly influential and vastly entertaining. She sustains this theater with a drive and thrilling emotional commitment. She continues to create year after year shows that children are enriched by and love.