Martin received his M.F.A. from Penn State University in 1984 and is a Full Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Prof. Thaler was awarded the University of Vermont’s Kroepsch- Maurice Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007. Design credits include work at the Champlain Shakespeare Festival, the Theatre-by-the-Sea, Brandeis University, Dartmouth Summer Repertory, Stage One: The Louisville Children’s Theatre, Tri-Cities Opera, West Virginia Public Stage and at Rowan University, where he is often a guest designer, having designed The Love of the Nightingale, Twelfth Night, Changes of Heart, The Doctor in Spite of Himself, and The Misanthrope. His New York credits in costume construction include: The American premier of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Muppet Arena Show, SHOGUN: The Musical, My Favorite Year at Lincoln Center, the American revival of Hello Dolly, with Carol Channing that opened in Paris and toured internationally, and the Chicago premiere of Miss Saigon. Professor Thaler has also styled clothing for Maryland Public Television’s nationally syndicated “Wall Street Weekly”. He designed the Off-Broadway production of Goldoni’s comedy The Servant of Two Masters for Tony Award winning director, Stuart Vaughan of the New Globe Theatre in NYC. Professor Thaler was Department Chair from 1991-2001, during which he initiated the annual holiday production for children, The Toys Take Over Christmas, and the Season Subscription Series while also building partnerships with the Vermont Stage Co. and the University Resident Theatre Association. With all of his accomplishments at UVM Professor Thaler is most proud of his work in the classroom, placing many of UVM design students in graduate schools on full scholarships. Recent works include Donezitti's The Elixer of Love at the Tri-Cities Opera, in Binghamton, NY, and The Scarlet Letter at The Playhouse on Park in Hartford, CT. During the summer he teaches drawing and painting to senior adults at the Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth, DE. He recently returned from his sabbatical, where he was certified in Prosthetic Make up Design for Film at the Cinema Make up School in Los Angeles, CA.
Professor, Emeritus
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
costume arts; costume history; drawing
Education
- The Pennsylvania State University, State College PA MFA in Theatre in Costume and Scenic Design
- Brandeis University, Waltham MA Historical Costume Studies in England Program
- Cinema Make up School, Los Angeles, CA Certified in Prosthetic Make up for Film
- St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT BA in Fine Arts with concentrations in Drama and Art
Contact
Courses Taught
THE 040 - Fundamentals of Costuming
Primary course in area of costume design and construction. Includes Lab. Fall Credits: 4.
THE 041 - History of Costume
Overview of period costume and its adaptation for the stage. Alternating Falls w/THE 042. Credits: 3.
THE 042 - Fundamentals of Theatrical Make-up
Focus on the development of drawing, painting, and sculpture skills as they relate to the creation of a dramatic character for the stage. Alternating Falls w/THE 041. Pre/co-requisites: THE 040 or permission. Credits: 3.
THE 140 - Costume Design
Elements, principles, and styles of design applied to the visual creation of a dramatic character. Prerequisites: 40; 41 highly recommended. Spring only. Credits: 3.
THE 141 - Advance Costume Construction: Draping & Flat Pattern
Explores the methods of creating period shapes. Students develop a sloper, fit it to a human body, create a researched and completed period costume. Prerequisite: 040. Alternating Springs w/THE 142, 143, & 144 Credits: 3.
THE 142 - Advance Costume Construction: Period Undergarments
Focuses on techniques for creating artificial understructures that support period silhouettes. Corsets, hoop skirts, petticoats, etc., are researched, fit on the human body, and constructed. Prerequisite: 040. Alternating Springs w/THE 141, 143, 144. Credits: 3.
THE 143 - Advance Costume Construction: Millinery
Explores methods of hat construction, including work in various media. Methods of shaping, covering, and trimming are researched, leading to the completion of hats. Prerequisites: 040. Alternating Springs w/ THE 141, 142, 144. Credits: 3.
THE 144 - Advance Costume Construction: Tailoring
Explores traditional methods of tailoring as well as practical adaptations for the stage. Research, discussion, and demonstration lead to completion of a period suit. Prerequisite: 040. Alternating Springs w/THE 141, 142, 143. Credits: 3.
THE 190 (F) - Theatre Practicum
Students actively involved in current department productions may earn credit for work on stage or backstage. Project proposals must be approved by department faculty and be of significant scope to qualify for credit. Prerequisite: Permission. Repeatable up to 3 hours. Credits: .5-3.
THE 197 (F) - Readings & Research Fall. Prerequisite: Permission. Credits: .5-9.
THE 198 (F) - Readings & Research Spring. Prerequisite: Permission. Credits: .5-9.
THE 200 (F) - Professional Preparation
Topics include preparing for auditions, portfolio reviews, interviews, and research papers for entrance into graduate schools or professional theatre venues. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and by permission only. Credits: 1-3.