Martin McClendon

Professor Martin McClendon is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Theatre at Carthage College, where he has held the rank of Professor since 2012. He joined Carthage in 2007 after serving as an adjunct professor, and has since led numerous productions, directed award-winning verbatim theatre projects, and contributed to community-focused arts initiatives. His teaching spans acting, directing, and scenic design, with a focus on collaborative, socially engaged theatre practices.

Education: B.F.A. in Acting (Rockford College, 1991), M.F.A. in Acting (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1994).

Research Interests: Verbatim theatre as a tool for amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly those of military veterans and marginalized communities. Projects include Afghanistan/Wisconsin (2017), Fighting For Home (2020), and the Kenosha Verbatim Project (2023), which use real testimonies to foster dialogue on critical social issues. He also pioneers interdisciplinary collaborations, such as merging theatre with social work and healthcare narratives.

Awards: Distinguished Director of a New Work (Kennedy Center/ACTF), Innovative Teaching Award (Association for Theatre in Higher Education), and Carthage Quality of Life Enhancement Award. His scenic designs and productions have garnered multiple regional and national recognitions.

Advising & Grants: Led student research projects on veteran experiences, secured sabbatical funding for Fighting For Home, and co-founded Veteran Night of the Arts. Collaborated with students Rayven Craft and Katie Layendecker on pandemic-era healthcare worker narratives (Frontline).

Additional Work: Professional scenic design for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Racine Theatre Guild, and First Stage Children’s Theatre. Published in Fine Woodworking magazine on Arts and Crafts furniture design methods.