Dr. Herbert Woodward Martin performed close to home in a Nov. 3 production of 'An Evening with Paul Laurence Dunbar' in the Boll Theatre.

Dr. Martin is a poet-in-residence and professor emeritus in the Department of English here at UD. Martin, an Alabama native, has spent most of his professional career at UD. He has served as distinguished visiting professor at Central Michigan University and as a Fulbright scholar in Hungary in 1990.

Martin has published six volumes of poetry and has garnered national praise for his dramatic portrayal of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Martin has a gift in bringing Dunbar's characters to life in his reading.

'Dunbar is able to pull off great characters, people you might like to meet,' Martin said.

Along with poetry, Martin has published dramatic works and literary criticism. His writings have appeared in numerous anthologies and journals. Martin has studied and performed Paul Laurence Dunbar for a large portion of his professional life.

The event was part of the Arts Series and 'Celebrate Dunbar!''a series of public events being held throughout the year to honor the life and works of Dunbar 100 years after his death. This event was also part of UD Arts Series, which is offering events under the theme 'Year of Diverse Voices' to commemorate Dunbar throughout the year.

Paul Laurence Dunbar'a poet and novelist was born in 1872 right here in Dayton, Ohio. He was the first African-American poet to earn national critical acclaim. Dunbar died in 1906 at the age of 33. He was a prolific writer in his short career, publishing many poems, essays, novels and short stories. Most of his work addressed the difficulties encountered by members of his race and the efforts of African-Americans to achieve equality in America.

Dr. Martin said he is often accused of only caring for the rights of African-Americans, but in actuality 'he cared for the rights of everyone.' Interestingly, Dunbar was also a classmate and friend of the Wright Brothers.

His style encompasses two distinct voices'the standard English of the classical poet and the redolent dialect of the turn-of-the-century black community in America. Martin 'borrows' Dunbar's voice to bring the poet's work to life.

For his performance, Martin dressed in turn-of-the-century coat and striped pants and delivered the poetry with energy and humor. Martin says he loves Dunbar's ability to find humor in everything.

'You have to laugh, you have to make fun of things,' Martin said. 'Poke them to see if there is any air in it.'

He is also drawn to Dunbar's poetry because of the music in his poems which Martin exemplifies on stage, singing some of Dunbar's versus.

Dr. Martin started off reading his poetry in coffee houses in Manhattan at places like Le Deux Negot and Third Side on the West Side of Manhattan, where he crossed paths with Bob Dylan. Martin remembers hearing Dylan's voice and saying 'I don't think that is going to work.' He then jokes 'look where he is now.'

Martin has been performing his one man show since 1972, which was the centennial of Dunbar's birth. Unfortunately, Martin thinks it is his 'farewell year.' He believes it is fitting because he has been reading Dunbar's poetry for 33 years, which is the same age of Dunbar when he died.

For more information on Celebrate Dunbar! visit http://www.CelebrateDunbar.org