| British Wit at its Best | |
"I laughed at something new every night during rehearsals," says Martha Humphreys, Theatre Huntsville's director of The Importance of Being Earnest. This Oscar Wilde classic is only one of many plays that the artistic Humphreys has worked on in Huntsville. Times have changed and Humphreys's main concern was that people wouldn't listen as carefully as they used to and some of the really witty lines in the play might go by unnoticed. And there are a lot of witty lines in this British farce, as Lady Bracknell comment shows: 'To have lost one parent is understandable; to have lost both parents reeks of carelessness."
Martha Humphreys' interest in theatre began with her role of Mrs. Santa Claus in third grade. The acting bug had bit and she continued to follow that interest in high school and college. Martha graduated from Hiram College and the University of Indiana--Bloomington. She moved to Huntsville in September 1969 to teach Speech and English at Alabama A&M for 12 years. Later, she taught part-time for 5 years at UAH. Failing health forced her to quit teaching and devote herself full-time to writing.
Martha has had three teen novels published: Side by Side, A Broken Bow, and Until Whenever. She has also had 13 plays produced and continues to write several hours every day. One of her hobbies is being guest director for the local theatre. After serving as Assistant Director in 1971 for the Huntsville theatre, she directed her first play Any Wednesday in 1972. Since then she has directed numerous productions in Huntsville. Some of her own personal favorites include Noises Off, Death of a Salesman, and Other People's Money.
Martha and her husband, John, a retired program manager from NASA, reside in southeast Huntsville with their 3 cats. Keep your eye out for more gems from this local master of theatre!
Related Topics
Alabama A & M
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College was started
in 1875 by Dr. William Hooper Councill, an ex-slave. School
history, curriculum and enrollment online.
Alabama
Arts
Info on news and features, grants, arts and artists, folk life, education resources, Council of the Arts, research
materials and recent publications for the state.
Alabama
State Theatre Directory
If you'd like your life to be
filled with drama, you can check this site of to find new
scenes at theatres around the state.
Fantasy
Playhouse Children's Theatre
Schedule of classes, plays and special events that teach
children creative drama and the arts and how to make scenes.
Huntsville
Opera Theatre
Opportunity for local singers, instrumentalists,
designers, directors, and technicians to perform the great
operas. Bonus: HOT has English subtitles!
Huntsville's
Performing Arts
Information and schedule for plays, musical theatre, dance and
special performances.
Theatre 'Round the
Corner
The theatre has closed but past reviews are still online
for your enjoyment.
University of
Alabama--Huntsville
UAH is in northwest Huntsville adjacent to Cummings
Research Park, one of the Top Ten Research Parks in the nation.
Campus life, courses and registration online.
Von Braun
Civic Center
Named in honor of Dr. Werner Von Braun and host to various
community events throughout the year. Calendar of events and
ticket information available online.
