We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marti Gobel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marti, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I had the honor of directing The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza in 2015. As an African American woman I have always heard the story of Emmett’s death and the incredible strength his mother displayed in using the death of her son to highlight the injustices Black Americans were experiencing. I had an opportunity to connect with the playwright. Ifa in turn connected me with Emmett’s family. I was living in Wisconsin at the time. After reaching out to Wheeler (who was in the room when Emmett was taken), I was invited to spend the day in Argo, Illinois where the Tills lived at the time. It was a deeply moving day. I met many other family members, sat in the family barbershop, looked at unpublished family photos and walked by the very house Emmett and Mamie lived in. It informed my direction of the play immensely. From that point on I made it my business to go that deep with my research. I find that not only does this practice honor the text but it honors the team in its entirety as we approach any project.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I just love all things theatre. I love doing it, seeing it, teaching it, reading and studying it. I began this journey at the age of 11 in community theatre with the Musical, The Music Man. I went on to primarily participate in musical theatre through high school. I enjoyed every minute of it, however, I was raised to believe theatre was a worthy hobby not a reasonable career path. I was to teach High School Literature and began my college career with that in mind. Along the way came a marriage, a move to the midwest and four children. I never stopped doing theatre on the community level. One day it hit me that I could actually do this as a professional actor. That winter I enrolled at UW-Whitewater and immersed myself in the protocol of theatre from all the angles I could. I’m still doing that.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

See the value in what we provide. Pay us a living wage. Respect the discipline it takes to thrive in this industry. Know that artist are a valuable component to the growth of our species both creatively and intellectually.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to learn that I am stronger with a team that I can rely on. I am capable of doing most of the things required to run a theatre company from performing to directing, from billing, to designing and back again. But, I now know that I’m stronger as a performer when I ask for support on paperwork. I now know that if I am needed for office duties to trust that others can help with a production’s creative needs. In short, I learned it is better to be a part of a hive mind than the Queen Bee not because I can’t but because it is better for the life of the organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://onwordtheatre.com
• Other: Please contact Marketing Director:
  Danielle Bunch
  [email protected]

Image Credits

Headshot taken by Bernadette Johnston at Narrative Images