Meet Mark A. Marston | Actor & Theatre Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark A. Marston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark A., can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started The Scripted Society out of a genuine passion for storytelling and a deep respect for the craft of theatre. I wanted to create a space where plays aren’t just read but experienced, discussed, and celebrated – where scripts could speak and stories could truly shine. My thought process was rooted in the belief that scripts are living documents, meant to spark conversation, challenge perspectives, and build community.

There was also a desire to bring together people who love theatre but may not always have an outlet to engage with it beyond the stage. I envisioned a club that could bridge that gap; a place where artists, enthusiasts, and curious minds could connect, learn, and grow through the lens of powerful under-recognized playwrights. It’s about fostering connection, igniting dialogue, and keeping the pulse of theatre alive in an intimate, accessible way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart as an actor and an artist isn’t just my craft, it’s the life that’s shaped it. I’m most proud of my children – they are my greatest production, my deepest source of pride, and the real measure of my success. And what excites me most is the fact that I’m still dreaming, still setting goals, and still showing up for my passion; even when society might call it “late in life.”

It hasn’t been easy. Being a single father, navigating responsibility, survival, and the weight of expectations – those chapters could have closed the book on my creative journey. Yet, instead, they gave it depth. I leaned into creativity. I leaned into my eccentricity. I used every curveball life threw as material – as motivation. That’s what makes my voice unique: it’s lived in, tested and real.

Some of the most important lessons I have learned? 1. Resilience can be quiet and still powerful. 2. Creativity isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline. 3. It’s never too late to become more of who you are. 4. Parenthood and artistry don’t cancel each other out; they deepen one another.

If I could share one message with the world – about me, my brand, my work – it would be the following:
Be unapologetically, authentically yourself.
Because no matter how far you drift, how much you compromise, or how long it takes, you will always return to who you really are. So why not start, or restart, there?

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This may be more difficult to articulate than it would be to just do. This is considering that they have never been to the A.
However, the following would be a sample itinerary:

Day 1 – R. Thomas Deluxe Grill to kick things off with eclectic vibes, organic eats and a whole unfiltered Atlanta soul. Hang out at Ponce City Market Rooftop for the skyline, drinks and conversation.

Day 2 – Brunch at Augie’s near Little 5 Points, walk the Beltline Eastside Trail for the murals, street performers, food, etc. More than likely have dinner at Two Urban Licks for their salmon chips.

Day 3 – Catch a play at the Alliance, Fox or one of the many community theaters.

Day 4 – Will head to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or the King Center. Maybe find an open mic.

Day 5 – I hike Stone Mountain weekly. So, this will be mandatory! Then lunch/dinner at Trend Urban Cafe.

Day 6 – High Museum of Art visit or maybe the Botanical Gardens and hang out at Piedmont Park to people watch.

Day 7 – Brunch at Poor Calvin’s before the send off.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A few people who have been instrumental in my journey; whose influence, support, and mere presence helped curate this act in my play are the following:

First, Aaron Gotleib, from the GSUPC theatre department – thank you for your insight, your encouragement, and the way you see potential and push it forward. Your instruction and mentorship have left a lasting impression on how I approach this craft.

To Lindsay Bytof, lead theatre instructor at GSUPC – your tutelage, creativity, and unwavering commitment to the work inspired me to dig deeper and trust my voice. You have made the art of theatre feel both grounded and limitless.

And finally, to my mother and my children – you are my why. Your light, your strength, and your individuality inspire me every day. I hope this journey not only makes you proud but reminds you that it is never too late to keep dreaming and daring boldly, just as you have inspired me to do.

Instagram: @thescriptedsociety , @markamarston

Facebook: Mark A Marston

Other: Email: TheScriptedSociety@gmail.com

Image Credits
Josh Stringer Photography