Martin A. David

Artistic Director

Martin A. David is a modern dancer, choreographer, actor and director who has performed leading roles in major European and American venues. His approach combines elements of German Expressionist dance, the theatre theories of Jerzy Grotowski and improvisational movement techniques.

Martin's theatrical career began when, after earning a BA in Theater from Brooklyn College, he was personally recruited by Joseph Papp for the New York Shakespeare Festival. As a dancer, Martin was trained in Nikolais technique enriched by formal study of diverse dance forms ranging from Kathak to ballet, commedia dell'arte to mime under teachers including Ella Jaroszewicz (wife and student of Marcel Marceau), Kurt Joos, Jose Udaeta, and Hans van Manen. As an actor, Martin was schooled in both classical and method acting and directing at the Herbert Berghoff Studios in New York. Theatrical appearances include television, film and the New York stage. His recent credits include the role of King Alonso in the Project Artaud production of The Tempest, various lead roles in an evening of one-act plays at the NohSpace in San Francisco, and a principle role in a soon to be released independent film. His solo performance piece, My Death Has Been Predicted, was presented at the Off-Market Theatre this year.

Martin is a winner of a 2004 CA$H grant from Theatre Bay Area, in partnership with Dancers' Group, in support of ...And Still Dancing.

Martin founded the groundbreaking Creative Dance Theatre of Copenhagen, the first state-sponsored modern dance company in Denmark, for which he served for 10 years as principal dancer and choreographer. In addition to home seasons in Denmark, the company toured throughout Europe and had multiple appearances on international television. Martin also appeared as guest dancer with the Royal Danish Theatre.

In conjunction with his dance career, Martin became a dance writer and critic. He served as dance critic and feature writer for Hollywood Dramalogue and The Los Angeles Times, where he was awarded honors including the Dance In Action annual award and a special citation from the Los Angeles Area Dance Alliance. Martin was Editor of Dance West and Los Angeles Interchange, and Editor-in-Chief of Dance Teacher magazine. He is the author of 9 books, including The Dancer's Audition Book, and a novel, Karpstein Was Hiding. As a writer he has published more than a thousand magazine and newspaper articles. Martin hosted Dancing on the Radio on KPFK (Los Angeles) for 3 years.

Martin A. David served for 10 years on the Dance and Multimedia Arts panels of California Arts Council. Martin served several years as panelist and audition judge for Bay Area Dance Alliance, and was an audition judge for the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival for 18 seasons. He is currently entering his fifth year as a Commissioner on the Santa Clara Cultural Advisory Commission, and is currently serving as Chairman of that body.

Martin founded the performance project …And Still Dancing in order to open creative doors for dance artists for whom maturity is an asset and not an obstacle.

photo by Sarah Lane Lawson

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