After leading Delaware Theatre Company for a decade, Artistic and Executive Director Bud Martin plans to retire next year, according to a statement by DTC.To help with the transition, DTC’s board of directors has appointed current managing director Matt Silva, who has been with DTC for the past four seasons, to the executive director role, effective Aug. 16, 2022.Martin will remain artistic director through June 30, 2023, thus passing the torch to Silva. Moving forward, Martin will serve as a consultant to Silva and is committed to directing one show per season, per press materials.“I have been honored to lead DTC for 10 years, working with a talented staff to position the theatre as one of the preeminent regional theatres in this country,” Martin said in a statement.“I’m deeply grateful for the tremendous support I’ve had over the past 10 years from community leaders such as Jack and Carla Markell and Secretary of State Jeff Bullock, as well as from countless trusted board members.”
Martin added that thanks to the beauty of the theater and how close it is to New York, he was able to encourage his Broadway producing colleagues to select DTC as a venue to showcase new work with the goal of attaining national exposure, while providing great entertainment for the community.
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During his tenure, Martin increased revenue at DTC threefold and doubled subscriptions, per press materials. Martin explained that the theater is in good hands with Silva because he “brought Matt into DTC four years ago with the hope that he might be my eventual successor, and he has exceeded my expectations.”The DTC leader said he’s stepping down because it’s “time to hand over the reins. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Kate — on our farm, traveling, and enjoying our family.”
Resume includes directing ‘South Pacific’
Over his 10 highly successful seasons at Delaware Theatre Company, he’s directed more than 20 plays and musicals.
This includes “Outside Mullingar,” “HONK!,” “Saint Joan,” “Sanctions,” “Dare to Be Black,” “Hetty Feather,” “White Guy on the Bus” (transfer to NYC), “The War of the Roses,” “The Explorers Club,” “Putting It Together” (with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra), “Love Letters,” “Rest, in Pieces,” “The Story of My Life,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Any Given Monday,” “South Pacific” and “The Outgoing Tide” (which moved on to NYC).
Martin has produced Broadway and off-Broadway productions and on London’s West End. He received his master’s in theater from Villanova University and his bachelor’s from De Sales University.
This season, Martin will direct “One Man, Two Guvnors” by Richard Bean. The British farce will run in February 2023.He’s enjoyed a 10-year career with the DTC from 1972 to 1982, then entered the world of corporate finance. He started five successful companies from 1982 to 2008, receiving the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2006, according to press materials.Martin became producing artistic director of Act II Playhouse in Ambler, Pennsylvania, in April 2008, after selling his company to Walgreens.He leveraged his commercial theater experience and relationships for the benefit of Act II, producing the national tour of Act II’s “Respect: A Musical Journey of Women” and the critically acclaimed New York transfer of Bruce Graham’s Barrymore Award-winning play, “Any Given Monday.”
Passing the torch to Matt Silva
Silva is fortunate that Martin has groomed him for success, he said.
“Bud Martin has been an invaluable mentor and friend for many years.”
“In just four short years, he has helped me create lasting relationships in our community and strong ties in our industry. I’m honored to be selected as the next executive director.”
The News Journal / Delaware Online previously reported this spring that DTC broke a record with its production “Other World,” a show that had more than 200 people on its payroll. “This is the largest show we’ve ever done in our 43 year history,” Silva said.
The musical, which is about video games, featured a cast of 25 people in the cast and a 10-member band. The majority of the people on the payroll worked behind the scenes.
Silva holds a master’s in theater from Villanova University and a master’s of fine arts in directing from Florida State University. He’s been heading up the marketing and development efforts in addition to partnering with Martin on programming, casting and contract negotiations.
Silva also served as artistic director for Endstation Theatre Company in Central Virginia. He held that post for six years, increasing ticket sales by more than $100,000 per year and increasing contributed revenue by more than 200%, per press materials.Prior to that, Silva was previously the artistic director of Playhouse Productions, a national touring production company.
He was a recipient of the 2021 Spur Impact Millennial Summit Award and has served on the Delaware Arts Alliance’s Advancement Committee. He directed last year’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet” and will direct “Plaid Tidings” by Stuart Ross for DTC in December.Carrie Gray, chairperson of the Delaware Theatre Company board, said in a statement she is happy DTC has been “shepherded” by Martin over the last 10 years.
“His experience and vision, combined with his strong ties to New York and Los Angeles, ensured the vitality of the company and established a sustainable base for our continued success in the future,” Gray stated.
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