Desley Martin
Desley Martin
Dramaturg
Desley has a rich history of involvement with independent theatre in Brisbane and has collaborated with Room to Play since 2014. Over the years, she has contributed her talents in various capacities, showcasing her passion for theatre and performance. As dramaturg, she researches the historical, cultural, and social context of the script, its background and themes, and offers insights into character motivations, plot development, and the playwright's intentions.
Biography
Desley's multifaceted involvement in theatre, combined with her academic pursuits, highlights her passion for the arts and her commitment to enriching local theatrical experiences on our local stages.
Desley was dramaturg with Dario Fo's acclaimed play, The Virtuous Burglar and Eugene Ionesco's The Bald Prima Donna. Desley continued her collaboration with Room to Play by assisting Heidi Gledhill in The Hive Collective's presentation of The Bull, The Moon, and The Coronet of Stars by Van Badham during the 2021 inaugural season at the new Metro Arts. More recently at PIP Theatre, she was dramaturg on the production of David Eldridge’s Beginning and Van Badham’s Banging Denmark.
Alongside her professional engagements, Desley has a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Queensland. Her majors in Ancient History and Writing reflect her diverse interests and academic pursuits. Desley's academic focus on the drama of ancient Greece and Rome, coupled with her attendance at Dr. Victoria Bladen's Shakespeare schools, demonstrates her dedication to understanding the roots of theatrical tradition.
Ad Astra Plays
Upcoming Plays
Past Plays
Other Theatre
2024 – Banging Denmark by Van Badham – PIP Theatre
2023 – Beginning by David Eldridge – PIP Theatre
2021 – The Bull, The Moon, and The Coronet of Stars by Van Badham – Metro Arts
2019 – The Eisteddfod by Lally Katz – Metro Arts
2017 – Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway – Taylor King Gallery & Studio
2016 – One was Nude and One Wore Tails by Dario Fo – Room to Play/Anywhere Festival
2015 – The Virtuous Burglar by Dario Fo – Room to Play/Anywhere Festival
2015 – Afterplay by Brian Friel – Room to Play/Anywhere Festival/Sydney Fringe
2014 – The Bald Prima Donna by Eugene Ionesco – Room to Play/Melbourne Fringe
Training
Bachelor of Arts – The University of Queensland – Majors in Ancient History and Writing
Representation
Freelance