Production Team Spotlight: Beth Martin
We caught up with Assistant Choreographer, Beth Erin Martin to discuss musical theatre, her inspirations, and her involvement with Doncaster Stage Productions.
Beth Martin bio:
Math’s graduate, accountant, private tutor and all-round general geek that is nowhere near as boring as she sounds on paper!! The sassy, smiley, spirited girl that you find on stage is a much more accurate representation.
Can you give us a brief summary of your musical theatre career?
I started performing at the age of 3 with Footloose Theatre Dance Academy (now Haydon’s School of Dance) which is where I discovered my love for being in front of an audience. I trained and performed with the school along with a local amateur dramatics’ society until the age of 18 when I left to study at University.
I quickly realised that I wasn’t ready to give up performing so immersed myself into teaching, competing and performing for the university as part of their dance team.
Post-graduation ,I moved back to Doncaster and spent one year in the audience before getting involved with DSP and (almost) getting myself back on stage.
When was your first show with DSP (formally DAOS), what was it, and how were you involved?
My first show with DSP was unfortunately the 2019/20 almost production of ‘Our House’ where I was Dance Captain and also a Principal Dancer. Really hoping this year’s show actually makes it to the stage!!
Tell us about a memorable moment from your time with DSP.
I can’t decide whether the audition day or ‘get in’ was my favorite.
Auditions are normally a day I dread but they are far more exciting being on the other side of the table!
Get in makes me feel giddy just thinking about it. After rehearsing so hard for the best part of a year, the show seems to all come together and starts to feel so real when you enter the theatre. Is it May 2022 yet?!?
What has been your favourite production with DSP?
As I only have the one to pick from, I will have to say ‘Our House’.
What’s the biggest career lesson you’ve learned so far?
Preparation is key.
What’s your favourite show?
Hooooow do I answer this? It totally depends on my mood.
That being said, I am more often than not in the mood for something cheesy and feel good so I think my short list would include – Hairspray, Book of Mormon and Dream Girls
What’s your dream show that you’d love to be a part of?
Hairspray, which frustratingly DSP totally smashed while I was away at Uni!!
Tell us about your process.
Having only worked on the production side of things for the first-time last year I am very much still perfecting ‘the process’.
The starting point will always be watching and learning the show as much as possible; taking notes and detailing which characters are needed where for any numbers involving dance / movement. Anyone who was part of ‘Our House’ will remember what a big role my note pad played (i.e., the dance Bible).
From these notes we plan which order to choreograph and teach the routines in ensuring we’re choreographing at least two routines a head of where we’re teaching to keep rehearsals as smooth as possible. We teach the routines that will need the most work first and work down to the smaller ones being taught closest to the show.
Who are your inspirations?
I don’t really have a single inspiration for either choreographing or performing. I mostly draw my inspiration from those around me. People with a similar training and performing opportunities with the mutual desire to produce something great.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Six: The Musical – I perform a one woman show on my commute to work most days in preparation for seeing the show this summer.
What’s the first show you saw?
Billy Elliot was the first show I saw on the west end.
What tickets do you have booked right now and what show are you seeing next?
I have tickets booked for ‘Six: The Musical’ tour this summer which I CANNOT wait for.
I also have plans to book a trip to London to see ‘Come from away’ and the new immersive ‘Doctor Who: Time Fracture’ when the restrictions allow.
Tell us about a standout performance you’ve seen in an amateur production.
I have to do a shout out to Newcastle University Theater Society (NUTS). A totally student lead society that have put on so many marvelous shows.
My good friend Charlie Burt blew me away in the NUTS performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie. She is now successfully performing in London in shows such as The Great Gatsby.
Tell us about a standout performance you’ve seen in a professional production.
I was lucky enough to see Sister Act in the west end when Whoopi Goldberg came back to play Mother Superior. Totally starstruck!
Do you have a favourite line from a show?
“Being true to yourself, never goes out of style” (Legally Blonde)
Which show do you think is overrated?
Much to the dislike of a lot of DSP members – Hamilton. I do not understand the hype around it at all. (Sorry team!).
Which show do you think doesn’t get the credit it deserves?
Blood Brothers – an oldie but goodie. Hands down the most emotional I’ve ever been at a production.
What is your most treasured piece of memorabilia?
My signed Sister Act programme.
