Marten Linnan

Marten is a full time college student at Niagara University, recently graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 2021. Musical Theatre has been a huge part of Marten’s life since he was little, with his first show being High School Musical Jr when he was in third grade. Since then, his passion for theatre has shifted from not only performing but also directing and choreographing. Marten danced with Barb Denny’s Studio of Dance Arts for about 6 years before shifting to musicals full time in High School.

He joined the Music Academy of WNY in 2018 as a student after he was cast in Grease. After that, MAWNY became a second home to Marten, performing in every high school musical from Grease to Chicago. He also was apart of the SHOUT! Show Choir competition team from 2018 to 2021. Marten also was in every musical at his high school, being cast in a lead role all four years. In 2019, Marten was awarded the Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role at the Kenny Awards for his role as Lucas in The Addams Family.

Since becoming a student at the Music Academy, Marten has also stepped up as a teacher for many programs. He student volunteered for Annie KIDS in 2018 and Suessical KIDS in 2019. After that, he assistant directed Frozen Jr in 2021, co-directed Lion King KIDS and High School Musical Jr in 2021, and co-directed Shrek The Musical Jr, Moana Jr, and Descendants The Musical in 2022. Marten has also choreographed numerous numbers for musicals, elementary/middle school show choir, and the SHOUT! Competition Team.