BWW Interviews: Douglas Martin Leads ARB to New Heights

Douglas Martin, Artistic Director of the American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, is successfully leading the company to new heights. He assumed the position in 2010. With a history of dancing, teaching, and serving as Ballet Master for ARB, Martin has the background and enthusiasm to be an outstanding figure in New Jersey's pre-eminent classical and contemporary ballet company.

Douglas Martin began his ballet training with Dimitri Romanoff at the San Jose Ballet School. As a youth, he was an athlete who played both football and soccer. But, after suffering a broken leg as a junior in high school, he turned his attention to ballet training, proving to be a natural. He was one of six dancers selected to study in Mikhail Baryshnikov's newly-formed American Ballet Theatre School, where his teachers included John Prinz and Patricia Wilde. In 1982, he was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet, which proved to an excellent fit for him. His time at the Joffrey continues to influence his repertoire and professional contacts to this day. As a principal dancer, he performed roles in ballets by Ashton, Arpino, Balanchine, Joffrey, Taylor, and Kudelka among others. Martin remained with the Joffrey 9 years and calls it "the time of his life." Among his favorite roles with Joffrey was that of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet.

Martin became a member of the Cleveland Ballet in 1991, and in 1993 was invited to join the American Repertory Ballet. As leading dancer and Ballet Master for ARB Martin collaborated with directors in creating and re-mounting ballets including Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Dream and The Nutcracker. It is, in fact, the many roles that Martin assumed with the ARB that enables him to shepherd the company so successfully. He commented, "I know the many aspects of the organization." His history with the company and the school also has allowed him to work with longtime friends.

Marina Kennedy writes articles on performance venues for Broadwayworld.com and is a reporter and columnist for The Alternative Press.com. Her interest in dance and theater stems from the many years she owned and operated a dance school, "Dance Unlimited" in New Jersey in late 70's and 80's. She has maintained her deep interest in the arts and enjoys writing about performances in New York and New Jersey.