Director Ken-Matt Martin has been appointed as the new producing director for both Baltimore Center Stage and Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
“It’s particularly exciting to provide leadership and guidance to both of these incredible institutions at this pivotal time in our society where art and theatre have the opportunity to create significant cultural impact,” said Martin in a statement. “Both Baltimore Center Stage and Arkansas Repertory Theater have been creative homes for me, and I’m excited to amplify the artistic and producing teams at both companies.”
Martin will lead both companies as a mainstage producer, guiding commercially enhanced projects, directing shows, and executing fundraising projects.
His first productions in his new roles will be a new production of James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner at Arkansas Repertory Theatre and the world premiere of John Wilkes Booth: One Night Only! by Matthew Weiner at Baltimore Center Stage, along with producing Center Stage’s 2025 gala.
“Ken Matt-Martin is an incredible creative and masterful producer,” stated Baltimore Center Stage Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb. “His years of varied experience at every level of our industry makes him a unique unicorn. And I couldn’t be more proud to have him at my side as Baltimore Center Stage’s Producing Director.”
“We’re all trying to operate like we have twice our headcounts, but under a summer season model, creative staffing approaches are even more important. With Ken-Matt, we benefit from multi-functional expertise—production management, creative development, and external relations,” added Arkansas Repertory Theatre Executive Director Will Trice. “We’re also able to leverage his ongoing relationships with other companies and artists across the country.”
Martin is one of the industry's most in-demand regional directors, with credits including the Chicago premiere of How I Learned What I Learned, Nia Vardalos’ adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things (Baltimore Center Stage), the world premiere of NANCY (Mosaic Theatre Company), and the world premiere musical adaptation of Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down at Olney Theatre Center and New York’s Apollo Theatre.
Martin’s directorial work has been honored with three Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Awards, Michigan’s Oscar Wilde Award for Best Director, and Chicago’s BACA Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Director. Martin holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Brown University and degrees in Musical Theatre and Journalism from Drake University.
