Wes Martin

He’s a Shakespeare fan, a one-time Bill Thompson impersonator (he played Wallace in a series of Ladmo-centric plays), and an actor/director who’s worked with practically every theater company in town. In his spare time, Wes Martin is the founder of brand-new Off Center Productions, for which he's currently directing Marat/Sade (see review); here, he ponders Homer Simpson, George Bush, and the perils of a lousy audition.

Wes Martin

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More About

• Homer Simpson
• George W. Bush
• William Shakespeare
• Bill Thompson
• Theater

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I knew I wanted to be in show businessbecause at every Christmas Eve celebration I would write and direct a skit, a puppet show, or a variety hour of some kind that my brother, cousins, and I would perform for my extended family.

The worst thing about being a stage director is getting the casting just right. It all hinges on casting. If you mess that up, it's hard to save the show.

My worst audition ever was over 25 years ago for Heartland Theatre in Kansas City. I got out about three words of my monologue and heard them say, "Thank you."

If I could be anyone other than myself it would be someone with a lot more money!

It’s not entirely true, but I sometimes tell people that the horrible audition they just gave won't affect them when I cast the show.

The fictional character I am most like is Homer Simpson.

I am utterly terrified of someone finding out I have no idea what I am doing.

I laugh uncontrollably at George Bush, whenever he opens his mouth.

The one thing I absolutely refuse to do on stage has yet to be discovered.

Something I have never admitted to anyone before is I actually can iron my own clothes (don't tell my wife!).

Currently, I am reading Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Like my mother used to say,"Who cares if Pela gave it a bad review, honey? I thought it was a good show!"