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Brenda
Cummings, Judith Martin
photo: Susan Cook |
For over 4 decades Judith Martin
has been a leading figure in the field of childrens
theater. As co-founder and Artistic Director of Americas
longest-running childrens theater, The Paper Bag
Players, Judith Martins work has deeply influenced
her fellow artists and enchanted countless young theatergoers.
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 lifes
endless possibility for fun, adventure and surprise.
Her theater so intimately reflects a childs worldeach
story is taken from a childs 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 withthat
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 Martins
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 childrens 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. Martins 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 childrens 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 Governors 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.
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