Posts Tagged ‘Chris Jones’

Talented Colleagues: Eric Martin

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

eric-martin

Alright let me preface this by saying I’m clearly biased on this one. Eric is my roommate, my best friend, and has been an artistic collaborator with me on many ventures. We went to the same college and we even ran a small theater company. We’ve done 10 shows together. He designed my website and this blog and when he’s feeling extra generous he brings me an apple juice back from his morning coffee run. Just in case you’re wondering, the key to my heart is apple juice…..or booze….the key to my heart is also booze. If you can order me a bloody mary and know exactly how I like it, I’ll probably marry you no questions asked or at the very LEAST have your babies. Anyway, my POINT is I’m biased…okay? So get over it.

Eric is a true man of all trades. I’ve seen him save the day by taking over for a lighting designer that didn’t show up to the show. He saved my show (Tell me on a Sunday) by running the sound on the night that some important critics came. I’ve watched him negotiate all the behind-the-scenes theater crap that you can imagine….all the stuff you have absolutely no idea about when you decide to start a theater company with your college friends. I’ve seen him produce gorgeous website after gorgeous website. He also designs posters, postcards, or any sort of print marketing materials. He’s completely self-taught for pete’s sake. It’s sort of ridiculous. If you’re interested in his web/graphic design go HERE.

Despite all of these talents, I think his true gift is as an actor. I’ve seen him play so many different kinds of roles (he’s actually fantastic at slapstick comedy) but his true strength and what Chicago knows him best for are the more understated, less flashy, Everyman roles. Eric excels in bringing to life parts that in a less skilled actor’s hands would become somewhat thankless. He serves as the emotional epicenter and grounds a piece instantly with his old soul. His performances are so subtle and effortless that sometimes he doesn’t stick out for that very reason. He has a power to move audiences that few possess. But don’t take my word for it!

Eric made Chicago Tribune theater critic, Chris Jones’ 2008 shortlist of Young Chicago Stars in the Making.
“This Columbia College graduate is a handsome, complex melancholy performer who is rising fast on Chicago’s non-Equity stages. Capable of beguiling an audience with merely a stare, Martin first made his mark in “Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story” in 2006 at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre and currently stars in “Lonesome Losers of the Night” at Theo Ubique.”

There are tons of more reviews, resume, and contact information for Eric HERE.

n48607087_32529050_5368Eric Martin with Jenny Lamb and Chris Damiano in Jacques Brel: Lonesome Losers of the Night.

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Eric will be performing Jacques Brel: Lonesome Losers of the Night at Theater on the Lake along with the rest of this phenomenal cast (Jeremy Trager, Jenny Lamb, Christopher Damiano). If you missed it the first time DON’T miss it again! Wednesday July 8- Sunday July 12
http://blog.harmonyfrance.com/theater/wp-content/ThrillMe.f4v

Eric Martin With Scott Gryder in Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story. (Eric does not want to be held responsible for the book of this musical) ;)

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Eric Martin and cast in Jacques Brel: Lonesome Losers of the Night.

n635286240_536806_6166Eric Martin with Dana Tretta in Cabaret.

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ATC Sh*tstorm

Friday, March 27th, 2009

I was reading Chicago Tribune Chris Jones’ Blog, which is a daily read for me, and apparently there is mutiny at the American Theater Company. You can read the article HERE.

Basically they are having 23 ensemble members leave the company. That’s kind of intense. I mean we’re theater people, which means we tend to be a bit more dramatic than normal folk. Temper tantrums are fairly common. Someone leaving a show or being asked to leave for “artistic differences” is also a pretty common happenstance. BUT 23???!!!! The most I’ve ever witnessed was five at one time and I thought THAT was insane. (The aforementioned example was from a show I was in Polly Pretty Polly: Songs of Death and Seduction. Maybe I’ll tell you the story sometime. It’s a doozy.)

Many of the members were original company members that not only helped found their company 25 years ago, but also helped build their venue with their own hands. Now I don’t know exactly what’s going on. Clearly they are having major disagreements with the Artistic Director and with their board. I do, however, think it’s very sad.

The year I left Columbia College I was invited to participate in The Actor’s Congress held at ATC. There were different panels held. I was on the up-and-coming actor panel. I made a right fool of myself that day with my good friend Jess Godwin and ATC company member Matthew Brumlow. Jess and I  were yelled at by some people in the crowd for being naive about our goals and ambitions. I’m sure we were. There’s a transcript of it somewhere online. I’m afraid to look for it. YIKES.

Anyway, at the after party I talked to many of the original ATC company members as well as other prominent actors in Chicago. First of all, they were an absolute delight; wonderful, down to earth people. I remember toasting with Kate Buddeke and talking to her and other members in depth about the beginnings of the American Theater Company. I was so impressed with their history and that they had built their theater with their own hands. That night and those people left an impression on me.

I hope the best for American Theater Company and for the defected members who are forming their own company American Blues Theater (ATC’s original name).

speaking16_20070215_15_52_13_342-266-400Katie Jeep as Laurie and Matthew Brumlow as Curly in American Theater Company’s gritty version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

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