Theatre artist and educator Martha Kemper has performed her one-woman show ‘Why I Live at the P.O.’ and Other Stories by Eudora Welty at colleges, universities, theatres, and retirement communities across the country. In recognition of the show, the Pennsylvania Perfomring Arts on Tour—an organization linking presenters and artists who “maintain the highest standards of artistic quality and professionalism”—selected Martha as a roster artist, a distinction that includes opportunities for grants as well as professional showcases. Martha has also conducted workshops, lectures, and discussions related to the piece.

In Philadelphia, Martha has performed with InterAct in Feast of the Flying Cow, directed by Seth Rozin, and in Writing Aloud, a series of professional readings of stories written by regional writers. Performing with Theatre Catalyst at the Adrienne, Martha has appeared in the world premiers of The Children of Fatima (directed by Bud Martin) and The Ballad of John Wesley Reed (directed by Rebecca Wright). She has also appeared in the Eternal Spiral Project’s I Stand Before You Naked (directed by Myra Bazell). Other Philadelphia work includes performances with the Wilma Theatre in Every Good Boy Deserves Favor; with Rumpus/Brat Productions in Brother Truckers; and at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival in Thin Ice and Wingspan.

As a founding member of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in Bloomsburg, Pa., Martha was an ensemble actor, director, and educator. Roles there included Masha in The Seagull, Lady Audley in Lady Audley’s Secret, Mrs. George in Getting Married, Kristine Linde in A Doll’s House, and Polly Garter in Under Milkwood. Additionally, she directed a production of Shaw’s Pygmalion, and led workshops in the Pennsylvania schools where the show toured. As associate professor of theatre at Penn State Abington, Kemper’s special interests in teaching are acting, theatre in diverse cultures, and women in theatre. Productions at PSU Abington have included The Miser, Working, Marisol, The Tempest, A Raisin in the Sun, and currently Lysistrata.

Kemper will perform at the May installment of the First Person Salons at the Gershman Y.

Mark your calendars for the May 14th First Person Salon at the Gershman Y (7-9pm)

Featuring:

• Photographer Christopher Paquette
• Poet Tamesha Hawkins
• Performer Martha Kemper
• Musician Matt Davis and his band Aerial Photograph

Please join us at the Gershman Y–401 S. Broad St. from 7-9pm.
5$ minimum admission!