Today we’d like to introduce you to Marti Gobel
Marti, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I suppose it all begins with my mother. A phenomenal educator, she made sure that my siblings and I were exposed to arts and culture. My childhood was drenched in activities such as different cuisines, languages, literature, music, visual arts, and theatre. Some of my earliest memories of theatre are at The Old Globe in Balboa Park. I even recall when one of the theatre was destroyed due to fire and the excitement of the rebuild of the space. So, I have always been involved in theatre… My first show as an actor was The Music Man. I was 11yrs old. Throughout middle school and high school, I was heavily involved in Drama activities. And, though, I began my collage career intending to teach High School Literature, I abandoned the notion upon completing my student teaching… Life kept living as it is want to do. Marriage, a move to a new state and four children down the line, I made the decision to return to college and get a degree in Performance Theatre and Philosophy. I booked 18 months of work as an actor before I graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2008. I continued to work solely as an actor for many years before I dabbled in directing at the professional level. Once I gained the skill to be on the other side of the table, my precision with language, artistic vision and care for the the artists under my umbrella became known in the mid-west region I began to direct with a frequency equal to my acting career. Both acting and directing have afforded me the ability to do my work as a theatre artists all over the country.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been primarily smooth! My struggle now is getting a richer and broader use of my skills. That is, I find that it is still difficult in the industry to break in to acting and directing on stories that involve those outside of your particular demographic. I am a Actor and Director that happens to be African American. I love acting in shows penned by playwrights of color but I look to the day when I am called in for a Pinter piece or even Neil Simon. I love directing shows by playwrights of color but I also have the skills to direct Tennessee Willams or Sam Shepard. The struggle is being heard in the conversation that defines what an actor/director of color is. I am African American but I am also many, many other things that contribute to my aesthetic sense of storytelling. I have seen this begin to change not only for myself but for artists across the industry. I look forward to more growth.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a nationally recognized Actor, Director and Teaching Artist. I am comfortable with saying that I operate in these roles at the same high level of professionalism and artistry . I would have to say that I offer range and depth to all that I do. As an actor, I am incredibly physical and unafraid of emotional vulnerability in the portrayal of my characters. As a director, I am partial to bold statements and movement. I love Greek theatre for this very reason. As a Teaching Artist, I am skilled at understanding and developing what my “student” already knows. I am most proud of the reputation I have gained as an artist with high standards who executes her art with great joy and abandon… What sets me apart from others is that I can fill a room with my unique energy, I can tell a story with a learned and tasteful eye and I can help a student (of any age) identify and arrive at their true, authentic emotional self through movement and voice.
My current pride rests with the founding of San Diego’s newest theater company, OnWord Theatre. Myself (Producing Artistic Director), Danielle Bunch (Marketing Director) and Jamaelya Hines (Managing Director) bonded while performing in a show together. We found that our love of theatre, belief in the power of great storytelling and the need for ongoing conversations in the community were identical. We launched OnWord Theatre in the service of those idea. We look forward to adding to the tapestry of San Diego theatre.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Ohhh, there are too many to list. I had a hard as nails professor when I was studying for my Theatre Degree. Angela Iannone. She taught me everything she could from Shakespeare to Movement and ensured that I would survive the jungle that is theatre with the education and attention she provided. Joe Hanreddy, the former Artistic Director of The Milwaukee Rep, gave me my first shot at a MainStage show. He continued to support my career through mentorship and professional opportunity. For many years, he saw everything I did. I’m not sure if he knows how much that cemented his place in my heart. Suzan Fete, Artistic Director of Renaissance Theaterworks, gave me my first solo show and eventually made possible an international tour of said show. She was the first AD to hire me to direct. David Cecsarini, former Artistic Director of Next Act Theatre, provided an informal education on the running of a theatre and the razing of a show. Under his umbrella, I was supported in crafting theatre that pushed the boundaries of what contemporary theatre looks and feels like. And, lastly, my family who have dealt with my wacky schedule, fatigue from juggling too many projects, absence from the home as I traveled for contracts and have soothed me in my most fragile moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onwordtheatre.com
Image Credits
Headshot: Bernadette Johnston
OnWord Leadership: Michael Hari, Fadeout Media
