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Eliza is an avid reader and writer — frequenting book shops, libraries and cafes turned writing spots around the city. Her primary writing interests include children's literature, playwriting, theatre creation, and adaptation. Eliza is an award-winning actor-creator, having written and performed such works as: O, Harvey & The Extraordinary and BLOOM, workshopped as the Creator-in-Residence with Bad Hats Theatre. Her first children's novel Harvey and the Extraordinary, based on her play of the same title, hit shelves in November 2021. The Czech language edition Hubert a Kromobyčejná Miri, was published in December 2022. Eliza's second and third book are currently in the process of being published. Eliza is a member of the Canadian Children's Book Centre, and the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers. Read more about Eliza's books, plays and scripts below.
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Books
Eliza's debut children's novel Harvey and the Extraordinary, illustrated by Anna Bron and published by Annick Press, was released November 2021. Read more about the book on Annick Press' website, and be sure to check out the media page here for interviews. Harvey and the Extraordinary is available anywhere books are sold.
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If you were to imagine an extraordinary moment of destiny, I bet you wouldn’t imagine it in a kitchen on a particularly ordinary Wednesday. I bet you wouldn’t imagine a plate of cheese and crackers or a replacement best friend—but this was my moment. Because when my Dad left to be a trick high diver in Mr. Morelli’s Big Top Circus Extravaganza, he left his ordinary life to achieve his extraordinary destiny. Grandma didn’t realize she had just handed me the key to my extraordinary life.
Mimi is the expert in all things extraordinary, like snow days, blue raspberry candy, and especially her dad, who recently joined the circus. And she’s sure he’ll be back to recruit her once she proves how extraordinary she can be. With her new hamster as her assistant, Mimi starts rehearsals for a marvelous mime show. But her moody older brother and needy ex-best-friend—not to mention memories of the day her dad left home—keep interfering with her plans. Still, Mimi throws herself into her act. Everything has to be perfect for her dad’s return—even if no one but her hamster believes in her. Even if Mimi is starting to doubt her own story, too. |
Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2022)
“A beautiful story that touches your heart. I highly recommend it and know you will enjoy it if you are a fan of Kate DiCamillo’s novels.”
- Rajiv’s Reviews, *starred review
“A well-paced, character-driven story that explores grief and abandonment in age-appropriate ways. . . .A quick but fulfilling read that will benefit readers developing their social-emotional skills.”
- School Library Journal
“Mimi will stay in your head well after HARVEY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY is finished. Highly Recommended.”
- CM Reviews
“A good book to share with kids to remind them they are extraordinary.”
- Booktime
“A beautiful story that touches your heart. I highly recommend it and know you will enjoy it if you are a fan of Kate DiCamillo’s novels.”
- Rajiv’s Reviews, *starred review
“A well-paced, character-driven story that explores grief and abandonment in age-appropriate ways. . . .A quick but fulfilling read that will benefit readers developing their social-emotional skills.”
- School Library Journal
“Mimi will stay in your head well after HARVEY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY is finished. Highly Recommended.”
- CM Reviews
“A good book to share with kids to remind them they are extraordinary.”
- Booktime
The Czech language edition of Harvey and the Extraordinary, Hubert a Kromobyčejná Miri, is available as of December 2022.
Plays
O
Hamlet opens tomorrow night and Leigh is ready to make her debut as Ophelia: wigged, primped, and donning her flower crown. During a brief hold in her tech rehearsal, Leigh takes the audience through basic acting skills for the ingénue and shares candid personal anecdotes sparking a series of unsettling realizations. A love letter to women in theatre during the #metoo era, O examines the stage life and death of the ingénue – the stories they tell, and the women behind them. Will we continue to accept that success for an actress means crying and dying through a career? Or can we find a way to keep our heads above water while turning the tide? Look out, Hamlet, #timesup.
O was originally workshopped in its earliest stages in 2014 under the guidance of Professor David Matheson at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College. In 2016, O was re-developed in partnership with Ali Joy Richardson as director and dramaturge for the 2016 Paprika Festival. An expanded and updated version of the show was directed by Rebecca Ballarin in 2017, and performed at Artscape Wychwood Barns. The production then went on tour in November of 2018 and was performed on 42nd Street as part of the United Solo Festival (the world's largest solo show festival) in New York City (United Solo Award Best Satire, All About Solo, Critics' Choice).
Workshop Prouction 2014 - University of Toronto/Sheridan College
Workshop Production 2016 - Paprika Festival
Toronto Production 2017 - Artscape Wychwood Barns
Tour Production 2018 - United Solo Festival, New York City**
(NYC United Solo Award Best Satire, All About Solo, Critics' Choice)
Workshop Production 2016 - Paprika Festival
Toronto Production 2017 - Artscape Wychwood Barns
Tour Production 2018 - United Solo Festival, New York City**
(NYC United Solo Award Best Satire, All About Solo, Critics' Choice)
*Eliza Martin (Writer & Performer), Rebecca Ballarin (Director), Lucy McPhee (Production Stage Manager), Steph Raposo (Lighting Designer), Nick Potter (Sound Designer), Rachel Blair (Script Advisor), Karina Mena (NYC Stage Manager), Neil Silcox (Production Photographer). With Ben Hayward as the voice of Rod, and Lucy McPhee as the voice of Carol.
Harvey & The Extraordinary
Harvey & The Extraordinary invites you to follow the trail of painted cardboard signs and join Mimi and her hamster Harvey for their professional and not-so-silent debut! With big dreams to join the circus, Mimi sets out to put on her very own show in her garage for a special guest of honour. Harvey & The Extraordinary explores the joy and heartbreak of childhood and what it means to maybe, just maybe, be simply ordinary.
Harvey & The Extraordinary was originally created and workshopped in 2017, with Neil Silcox as the director and dramaturg. The play was then further developed through 2018 before it's sold-out run in the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival (My Entertainment World - 2018 Critics' Pick Award Nominee, Outstanding Solo Performance). The play has since been adapted into a children's novel, published by Annick Press in 2021, translated into Czech in 2022, and redeveloped with the support of the Ontario Arts Council, at the recommendation of Young People's Theatre (OAC Recommender Grant, 2023).
Workshop Production 2017 - Tilt/Shift Theatre
Production 2018 - Toronto Fringe Festival*
(My Entertainment World - 2018 Critics' Pick Award Nominee, Outstanding Solo Performance)
Book Adaptation & Publication 2021 - Annick Press
Book Translation (Czech) 2022 - Host detem
Recommender Grant for Theatre Creators 2023 - Ontario Arts Council, Young People's Theatre
Workshop Production 2017 - Tilt/Shift Theatre
Production 2018 - Toronto Fringe Festival*
(My Entertainment World - 2018 Critics' Pick Award Nominee, Outstanding Solo Performance)
Book Adaptation & Publication 2021 - Annick Press
Book Translation (Czech) 2022 - Host detem
Recommender Grant for Theatre Creators 2023 - Ontario Arts Council, Young People's Theatre
BLOOM
Young Nora is given the impossible task of planting and caring for her Grandmother's garden all on her own. Donning her rubber boots and gardening gloves, and using the guidance of letters from her Grandmother and her own determination and humour, Nora makes new friends and some buzzing new enemies along the way, tackling the adventure that the wild blooms bring in the world of her backyard.
A solo performance for young audiences, BLOOM is a touching and hilarious story of grief and growth through the eyes of a child.
A solo performance for young audiences, BLOOM is a touching and hilarious story of grief and growth through the eyes of a child.
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BLOOM was developed in 2019 in residency with Bad Hats Theatre as part of New Bad Ideas, with the support of Theatre Direct.
Workshop Production 2019 - Bad Hats Theatre
Workshop Production 2019 - Bad Hats Theatre
Scripts
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Bad Hats Theatre - Bad Shorts Presents:
THE GREAT SILENCE by Eliza Martin Music by SlowPitchSound Graphic Design by Wednesday Ariel A child whose home has always been filled with the sounds of joy suddenly finds these sounds missing when a great silence comes to stay. |
The Great Silence premiered as a part of Bad Hats Theatre's 2022 March Break Digital Festival, and can now be viewed on the Stratford Festival's streaming service: STRATFEST@HOME Kid's Corner.
March Break Digital Festival 2022 - Bad Hats Theatre
Stratfest@Home Kid's Corner 2023 - Stratford Festival
March Break Digital Festival 2022 - Bad Hats Theatre
Stratfest@Home Kid's Corner 2023 - Stratford Festival
THE GREAT SILENCE
by Eliza Martin
Music by
SlowPitchSound
Graphic Design by
Wednesday Ariel
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Directed by
Fiona Sauder and Matt Pilipiak
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Director of Photography
Sandro Pehar
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Executive Producer
Victor Pokinko
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A Bad Hats Theatre Production
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Cast
Narrator Jonathan Tan
The Child Eponine Lee
Silence David Difrancesco
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Production
Editor/Colorist Sandro Pehar
Dramaturgy Matt Pilipiak
Fiona Sauder
Production Manager Victor Pokinko
Production Design Fiona Sauder
Matt Pilipiak
Line Producer Victor Pokinko
Associate Producer Matt Pilipiak
Production Assistants Madeline Disera
Kelsey Verzotti
by Eliza Martin
Music by
SlowPitchSound
Graphic Design by
Wednesday Ariel
____
Directed by
Fiona Sauder and Matt Pilipiak
____
Director of Photography
Sandro Pehar
____
Executive Producer
Victor Pokinko
____
A Bad Hats Theatre Production
____
Cast
Narrator Jonathan Tan
The Child Eponine Lee
Silence David Difrancesco
____
Production
Editor/Colorist Sandro Pehar
Dramaturgy Matt Pilipiak
Fiona Sauder
Production Manager Victor Pokinko
Production Design Fiona Sauder
Matt Pilipiak
Line Producer Victor Pokinko
Associate Producer Matt Pilipiak
Production Assistants Madeline Disera
Kelsey Verzotti
