Multihyphenate theater artist Claire F. Martin’s 11 Good Things

Claire F. Martin is a multihyphenate theater artist and the founding artistic director of Belle Esprit Collective, a nonprofit theater company with a mission to uplift stories by, for and about people of marginalized genders throughout history. She has worked as a director, playwright, actor and dramaturg in numerous cities, including London, Amsterdam, New York, Seattle and (of course) Atlanta. Claire holds an MA in theater directing from the Royal Holloway, University of London and is currently pursuing an MFA in playwriting at Hollins University.

Here, in no particular order, are her 11 good things. 

1. Women! By which I mean all female, femme and nonbinary folks. They make the world go round and always have. In the words of the great Jane Fonda: “I have my women friends, therefore I am.”

2. Croissants. Bonus points if it’s got almond paste. Double bonus points if it’s from Douceur de France in Marietta.

3. Dirty South trivia at Bona Fide Deluxe. On Wednesday and Sunday nights, Bona Fide hosts live trivia in its Decatur location that is both deeply entertaining and seemingly impossible to win. Order a French 75 at the bar and thank me later.

4. ATL playwrights. Atlanta is teeming with brilliant theater writers, and I am endlessly inspired by them, their vibrant voices and their generosity of spirit. Shout-out to my dear friend B.A. Kunnemann, whose first play, Like Lightning, just closed a triumphant premiere run at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse.

5. Pets. My husband and I have two cats named Natasha and Nikolai, and they’re purr-fect. My friends have pets of all purr-suasions, and they’re also perfect. I think there’s just no such thing as a bad pet — unless maybe you live in Florida.

6. Emma. My heart is exploding. For the third year in a row, Belle Esprit is partnering with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company to co-produce one of my original Jane Austen stage adaptations. This time it’s my personal favorite, Emma, directed by the brilliant Kati Grace Kirby … and I’m playing my dream role of Emma Woodhouse. If you love women, Regency romance, flowers, yearn-filled dancing, pretty dresses and all things pink, come see Emma at the Shakespeare Tavern May 2 through May 31. 

7. Jane Austen. What can I say? She gets me. 

8. Public libraries. My best friend just became a full-time librarian, and I defy anyone to name a Marvel superhero that’s on her level of public service. Literacy is power. Hold onto that power by putting a book on hold.

9. Long walks in the sunshine. This list is starting to sound like a Hinge dating profile, but I stand by it. Power-walking + vitamin D = rejuvenation.

10. Play Haven. In January of this year, the visionary dream team of Charis Sellick and Joey Davila launched Play Haven, a nonprofit initiative for new play development here in Atlanta, and I’m honored to be part of its inaugural cohort. Look them up! See the plays! Good things are percolating in Rehearsal Room 1 of Theatrical Outfit. 

11. Unhinged group chats. I’m so lucky to be enmeshed in a community of love that shows up, largely, by napalming memes at each other via chaotically-titled text threads. Some personal favorites include The Coven, Evelina Time Town and LoggerGrlz4Lyfe.