Board and Staff

Artistic Director Daniel MartinDaniel Martin

After completing his Masters Degree in Sociology at the University of Auckland, Daniel returned to Canada, where he graduated from the studio acting program at the William Davis Centre for Actors Study and studied Clown with David McMurray Smith at Fantastic Space Enterprises. Driven by a desire to create exciting, relevant, and energetic new theatre, Daniel co- founded Upintheair with Dave Mott in 1999. As an actor Daniel has appeared in numerous short films, television, and commercials. On stage he has been seen most notably as the manic director Strizh in Black Snow (United Players), Guy in Men of the World (Upintheair) , Frank in Daniel McIvors' Never Swim Alone (Street Repertory Theatre), Edmund in King Lear (Firehall/Shakespeare Centre), Sophie's Dad in Carnage (Pi Theatre), and Philip Lucas in David Hare's The Vertical Hour (United Players). As Artistic Director of Upintheair, Daniel has been instrumental in the creation of Wedgie, Men of the World, 120bpm, Johnny Grant, Wagabondi Ho! and Borborygmi. He has also been a driving force behind the growth of the companies festival programming, through nine years of The Walking Fish Festival, three Neanderthal Arts Festivals, and now through rEvolver. He teaches physical theatre at The William Davis Centre at VanArts.

Artistic Director Dave Mott

Dave Mott

Dave is an actor, director, theatre devisor, playwright, and the Artistic Producer of Upintheair Theatre Society. He has been committed to creating, producing and presenting new Canadian theatrical works since graduating with a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria. His career as a performer began as an ensemble member of Vancouver Youth Theatre, touring the General Governor Award winning play “Will the Real Canadian …” through BC schools and ultimately through Japan and the Toyoma International Youth Theatre Festival. He began his career as a theatre devisor in Victoria in the 1990’s as a core member of the Chaos Collective before continuing his practice to create and perform new works at Fringe Festivals in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. Since establishing Upintheair as a major presenting body in Vancouver he has co created, produced or presented over 100 new plays in Vancouver as part of The Walking Fish Festival and Neanderthal Arts. Dave teaches acting, play creation and physical theatre technique at Van Arts Vancouver Institute of Media Arts and is committed to mentoring young artists and developing new ways of seeing and creating theatre.

Theatre Creation/Performance credits: Inside the Seed, Borborygmi, Wedgie, Pyropornomania, Moxie, Men of the WORLD, 120bpm, Johnny Grant – A Rollicking Adventure Story, Wagabondi Ho (Upintheair Theatre). Selected Acting credits: Sea of Sand (The Only Animal), The Physicists (Genus Theatre), Escape From Happiness (Satco Theatre), Sexual Perversity in Chicago (UBC Players), Much Ado About Nothing (Out To Lunch Players), King Lear (Firehall/Shakespeare Centre) Will The Real Canadian (VYT). Direction credits: Guide to Mourning (Upintheair/Genus Theatre), Virtual Solitaire (Boq Productions), Specter (Spectral Theatre), Blackpool & Parrish (Van Arts). 

Board of Directors

  •     President: Joanna Zlotnik

  •     Vice President: Jason Laidlaw

  •     Treasurer: Brenda Matthews

  •     Secretary: Jenn Hogg

  •     Director: Vanessa Martin

  •     Director: Maria Denholme

  •     Director: Dave Robens