Appalachian State University's Distinguished Professor Honored for 53 Years of Service and Leadership
BALTIMORE, MD – While local residents may be familiar with Keith Martin from his work as Distinguished Professor of Theatre at Appalachian State University, or as Board Chair of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, only his half-century plus of involvement with the Southeastern Theatre Conference was considered in his election to the SETC Hall of Fame. The honor was bestowed upon Martin on March 22 at their 76th Annual Convention in Baltimore, MD.
"Major League Baseball has a Veterans Committee that considers players from decades past for consideration by the current leadership," said Julie Richardson, one of Martin's nominators for the award. "It's with this fact in mind that I nominate Keith Martin for the SETC Hall of Fame."
Keith Martin, left, SETC Hall of Fame inductee, and Tony Award-winner Andre De Shields ("Hadestown") SETC Distinguished Career Award recipient at the 2025 SETC Awards Gala in Baltimore, MD. They first met in 1978 while De Shields' was performing in the Broadway musical, "Ain't Misbehavin'"
Established in 2015, the honor recognizes persons who have made major contributions to the organization over a sustained period of time while commemorating their achievements and celebrating their meaningful participation, which Martin has made over a 53 year span of time. Chartered in 1949, SETC is the strongest and broadest network of theatre practitioners in the United States and provides extensive resources and year-round opportunities for its constituents. Their services, publications, and products contribute significantly to the careers of emerging artists, seasoned professionals and academicians. SETC energizes the practical, intellectual and creative profile of theatre in America.
Martin has been continuously involved with SETC since age 15 while in junior high school, when he demonstrated dance combinations for professional auditions at their 1972 convention in Columbia, SC, his first of 25 consecutive conventions, continuing in that role for five years. In high school, Martin participated in play festivals while interviewing for various colleges and universities, winning scholarships to attend UNC-Greensboro for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
As an auditionee, Martin was hired as an actor/singer/dancer/dance captain and/or choreographer or director at "Unto These Hills," Jenny Wiley Theatre, A Company of Players, Parkway Playhouse, UNC-G and Lees-McRae Summer Theatre, among others. As Artistic/Executive Director of the Community Theatre of Greensboro, Theatre Charlotte, and Golden Circle Theatre, Keith was active in SETC's Community Division for eight years, becoming a five-time Region IV Festival Adjudicator/Respondent and hosting the record-breaking AACTFest '07 Charlotte.
Dancer Keith Martin in 1972, leading professional auditions at his first SETC
Moving on to a 12-year tenure at Charlotte Repertory Theatre in 1990, his SETC connections led to over a dozen collaborations and co-productions with Barter Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Mill Mountain, Wayside, and Victoria Theatres. Keith served three terms as State Representative from NC, then three terms on the SETC Executive Committee as Professional Theatre Division Chair and a member of the Auditions Committee, while adjudicating screening auditions in numerous states.
As director-in-residence at Charlotte's Northwest School of the Arts, Martin won the first ever back-to-back NCTC state play festivals, advancing to SETC '01 Jacksonville and SETC '02 Mobile. His "Fundraising Tips for Theatre Festivals," has been published in the SETC Play Festival Manual since 2002 and is still distributed to state winners of both the Secondary School and the Community Theatre Festivals.
As Producer and Managing Director at Charlotte Rep, Martin hired actors at SETC's professional auditions, and for six additional years employing designers, production staff, technical crew, and interns for Richmond Ballet. As Distinguished Professor at App State, he participated for eight years in SETC's Education Expo and Undergraduate Auditions. His workshops, panels, and program offerings at SETC annual conventions number three dozen-plus, frequently drawing standing room only audiences.
Former consulting editor in arts administration and theatre management for Stage Directions (1994-2006), Martin has authored multiple articles for Southern Theatre, SETC News, and SETC Convention News, including "Rosemary Harris: A True National Treasure," "The Romulus Linney Papers at Appalachian," and "From SETC to the Tony Awards: Beth Leavel Remembers her Southern Roots." He was Keynote Session Chair/Moderator with theatre legend Rosemary Harris and her daughter, multiple Tony Award winner Jennifer Ehle in 2021, and facilitated keynote addresses by Sophy Burnham, Beth Leavel, and Corey Mitchell, among others.
Most notably, Martin responded to a plea when SETC needed to relocate their annual Fall Business Meetings/Professional Auditions, opening the doors of Spirit Square and the Blumenthal PAC from 2000-07, serving as Local Arrangements Committee Chair a record eight times.
SETC Executive Director and former Past President Jack Benjamin said, "I had the honor of meeting Keith in 1987; his loyalty to SETC and the theatre community is steadfast and unending, always willing to step up and serve in any role given to him, be it advice, adjudication, leadership roles, or mentorship, just to name a few. I can think of no one more deserving to join the SETC Hall of Fame."
When asked to comment upon the honor, Martin quoted Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" in saying, "I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks."
Courtesy Southeastern Theatre Conference
SETC Logo
SETC Logo