Martha B Johnson
Professor
johnsonm@augsburg.edu


Theatre is a deep and powerful communal entry into the human heart and mind. I feel fortunate to have as my profession the teaching of theatre, about which I feel so passionately. Theater is my vocation in the deepest sense of the word; it is the way I make sense of the world.

One reason I love teaching theatre is because of its holistic nature--so many challenging aspects of human endeavor are involved: Theater is emotional, intellectual, psychological, physical, vocal, musical, literary, philosophical, historical, political and cultural. Its ties to spiritual and religious life are ancient and powerful. Theatre is both a rigorous academic discipline and an exacting art form. It is also a wonderful form of entertainment.

I feel artistically, intellectually, and personally connected with both the subjects I teach and with the gifted theatre students we have here at Augsburg College. I see that my ultimate job as a teacher, so clearly expressed by Parker Palmer, is to “guide students on an inner journey toward more truthful ways of seeing and being in the world.”

Education
B.A. University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Degree Area and Thesis/Dissertation Title:
Theater and Drama with a Minor in Art History and Classics
Dissertation title: The Mask in Ancient Greek Tragedy: A Reexamination Based on the Principles and Practices of the Noh Theatre of Japan

Current Research Interests:
The creation of new theatre works--intimate, choreographic, and poetic in style—based on personal human experience. Continued interest in contemporary artistic explorations of the traditional theatres of Asia, Asian American theatre, ancient Greek performance, Shakespeare, and feminist theatre.

Publications and Creative Activities
“Reflections of Inner Life: Masks and Masked Acting in Ancient Greek Tragedy and Japanese Noh Drama,” Modern Drama, 35, May, 1992 (Special East-West Issue)
Floating Mothers, co-created and performed with Darcey Engen, Playwrights’ Center, Minneapolis, 2002
The Hand That Holds the String, co-created and directed, produced by Theater Mu, Southern Theatre, Minneapolis, 1997
Direction and assistant direction of several other plays at Theater Mu
Stage direction of over 18 productions at Augsburg College
Areas of Teaching and Responsibility at Augsburg College
Theatre Arts Program Director
Stage Director
Instructor:
Stage Direction
Creative Drama
Theatre History and Criticism
Introduction to Asian and Asian American Theater