Apr 9, 2026 - News

Meet the Maker: Daniel A. Martin

Justin L. Mack

A joyful man with an afro and beard, wearing a blue pinstripe suit and light blue shirt, raises his right hand and smiles on stage under blue lighting. — Daniel A. Martin in the NAATC production of Detroit '67. Photo: Courtesy of NAATC/The Silver Eroh Photography & Hospitality

Meet Daniel A. Martin, an Indianapolis actor, director and improv pro who is who is just as comfortable bringing the laughs as he is bringing the drama.

The inspo: Martin — who Citizens Energy customers might recognize as "Ways To Save Man" from the utility company's ads — has dozens of stage and screen credits under his belt.

Recent stage performances include roles in "Detroit '67" for Naptown African American Theatre Collective, "Skeleton Crew" for Summit Theatre and playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in an Indianapolis Black Theater Company (IBTC) production of "The Mountaintop."
Film credits include "Night of the Unspeakable" and "Justice For All," and he has a long list of commercial work with clients ranging from LongHorn Steakhouse to Hamilton County Recycling.
He's also a comedian who founded the Act A Foo Improv Crew in 2010.

What he's making now: A trip to the director's chair when IBTC opens "Blood At The Root" next Thursday at The District Theatre.

Inspired by the events of the 2006 Jena Six case in Louisiana, Martin said the desire is to inspire audiences to have important conversations about systemic prejudice.

Plus: On Monday, Martin was announced as a cast member of Indianapolis Shakespeare Company's summer production of "King Lear."

Check him out: On Instagram.

Add Axios on Google

Meet the Maker: Daniel A. Martin

More Indianapolis stories