Mississippi Playwright Renita Martin at New State Theatre

Renita Martin preforms at New Stage Theatre as part of the 5th Annual Unita Blackwelll Young Women's Leadership Institute..

Renita Martin is a native Mississippi theatre artist who has been called a lot of things "brash, lyrical, and funny, blend of poetic lyricism with great storytelling” (The Boston Herald); onstage she is “ riveting to watch!” Ebony Magazine calls her an unsung hero. Those who know her say “Crazy! Sexy! Cool!”

Renita’s residencies have included: Jumpstart Theatre Company, The Cherry Lane Theatre, The Theatre Offensive, Brandeis University Women’s Studies Department, Wheelock College, University of Illinois Africana Studies Department. She is the recipient of the Arch Bruce and Brown Foundation for Blue Fire on the Water; the Herbert and Nancy Beigal New Play Award (Lo She Comes), and Annette B. Miller Playwriting Fellow, Brandies University; the Best of Boston, New Play Award for Peace In The Midst; HIV/AIDS Education through the Arts, Fenway Community Health Center; and the Unsung Hero Award from Ebony Magazine for her community service through the arts.


Renita is a member of: Actors’ Equity Association, Phi Beta Theta, National Writers Union, American Museum Association, and Delta Sigma Theta. Her educational experience follows: MFA Theatre (Playwriting), Brandeis University, Waltham, MA; Shakespeare Intensive Training, Shakespeare and Company, Lenox, MA; BA (African/African American/Theatre Studies), Boston University; Nigerian Performance and Political Change, Universite’ De Niamey, Niger, West Africa.

Free to the public. Donations accepted.