by Christie Reed
Editorial Director
Being no amateur to the Hollywood acting scene, film and television star Alma Martinez will speak on the topic “There’s no Business in Show Business,” on Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m. in Dailey Theatre.
In her presentation, Martinez intends to address the diminishing opportunities in all aspects of the performing arts today, which is something she has experienced first hand.
“As a Latina, she is also concerned with the place of women and minorities in theater,” said Carol Fetty, instructor of English and a long time friend of Martinez.
Martinez, serving as guest speaker for the Honors Program and Honors Society at the University of La Verne, is no stranger to the stage or the big screen.
Her most recent acting experiences have been theatrical. On the stage, Martinez has starred in “The Summer House” in New York and “A Christmas Carol” at the South Coast Repertory Theater. During the Ashland Repertory company’s 1995 season, Martinez appeared in “Macbeth” and “The Skin of Our Teeth.”
“It [the speech] will be in the Dailey Theatre; we felt this would be appropriate because she is used to being on stage,” said Dr. Andrea Labinger, professor of Spanish and director of the Honors Program.
With experience in all three acting venues, Dr. Labinger feels that Martinez will prove to be worthy of the time and effort it took to get her to come to ULV.
“She has an extensive background,” said Fetty. “She has studied in Paris, London and Madrid.”
Martinez is currently pursuing a doctorate in theater at Stanford University. Although she has already received a bachelor’s in the same field from Whittier College, and a masters in fine art from USC, her true desire is to become a director. According to Dr. Labinger, Martinez claims, “this is where the real power is.”
She has had major roles in many films including “Zoot Suit,” “Under Fire,” “Barbarosa” and “Born in East L.A.” Her television work encompasses drama, comedy, and commercials, among which were her regular series role in “The New Adam 12,” as well as major parts in the made-for-television movies “The Gambler Returns,” “Tough Love” and the daytime dramas “General Hospital” and “Santa Barbara.”
“She has had years and years of performance training, so she won’t have any stage fright,” said Dr. Labinger of Martinez’s public speaking ability.
“She is bright, articulate and a strong role model for young women looking for a career in theater,” said Dr. Labinger. “She has really worked herself up from just a small neighborhood girl from Pico Rivera.”
