MARTI LYONS is a Chicago-based director and an Ensemble Member at The Gift Theatre. Marti’s work focuses on human suffering and resiliency. She seeks community in art and art in community. She loves making work that is dangerous, funny, unexpected, unnerving, healing, and purpose-driven. Marti was recognized with the L.A. Drama Critics Award for Best Direction and Best Production of her 2019 production of Witch by Jen Silverman at The Geffen Playhouse. She was also recently nominated for an Ovation Award for the same production. In addition to directing, Marti loves teaching and does so most frequently at the University of Chicago. Marti earned a BFA in Theatre Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University, and an MFA in Theatre from University of Idaho, in addition to studying at the British American Dramatic Academy in England and the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. Marti is continually expanding her work across new horizons, but at heart, Marti is a Chicagoan. She knows, however far she roams, there is no place like home.
Marti recently directed the audio production of Kings by Sarah Burgess for Studio Theatre in D.C. She had previously been directing the world premiere of The Scarlet Letter by Kate Hamill at South Coast Repertory Theatre, which, unfortunately, never had a chance to open.
In addition, she is an Artistic Associate with Sideshow Theatre and a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Directorial credits include: How to Defend Yourself by Liliana Padilla which premiered at Victory Gardens Theatre as part of a co-production with Actors Theatre of Louisville; Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee (Victory Gardens Theatre, City Theatre in Pittsburgh, and Merrimack Repertory Theatre); The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess (Writers Theatre); Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías (Victory Gardens Theatre); Botticelli In The Fire by Jordan Tannahill (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company); The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe and Kings by Sarah Burgess (Studio Theater); Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (Court Theatre); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks); Short Shakes! Macbeth and Short Shakes!, Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Wit (The Hypocrites); The City of Conversation by Anthony Giardina (Northlight Theatre Company); Wondrous Strange by Meg Miroshnik, Martyna Majok, Jen Silverman, and Jiehae Park (2016 Humana Festival) and Title And Deed by Will Eno (Lookingglass Theatre Company); Hot Georgia Sunday by Catherine Treischmann (Haven Theatre); Seminar by Theresa Rebeck (Haven Theatre); Prowess by Ike Holter (Jackalope Theatre); The Peacock by Calamity West (Jackalope Theatre); The Last Duck by Lucas Neff (Jackalope Theatre); The Play About My Dad by Boo Killebrew (Raven Theatre); Give it all Back by Calamity West (Sideshow Theatre); Mai Dang Lao by David Jacobi (Sideshow Theatre); 9 Circles by Bill Cain (Sideshow Theatre); Maria/ Stuart by Jason Grote (Sideshow Theatre). She also co-directed The Golden Dragon (Sideshow Theatre).
The Gift directorial credits include: Bethany and Mine by Laura Marks (The Gift Theatre); Body + Blood by Will Nedved (The Gift Theatre).
For updates, please follow: www.martilyons.com