Makia Martin '07

Makia Martin’s path from UNCW to the soundstages of New York began with a simple desire to visit the place where Dawson’s Creek was filmed. What she discovered on her first campus visit was a supportive community and a theatre department that gave her the tools to pursue her passion.

“UNCW gave me a solid foundation. I built my confidence on that foundation and fell in love with being a storyteller,” said Martin ’07. “I met some incredible people in the theatre department — people who I learned with, grew with and continued to make art with. Most of them still help shape who I am, which, in turn, shapes my craft.”

Today, Martin juggles two careers: acting and production accounting. Her acting credits include Law & Order: SVU, The Blacklist and Only Murders in the Building. It was her role in Law & Order: SVU that made her feel she was on the right path.

“When I got the call that I’d booked SVU, I had a dance break,” she recalled. “Knowing that I would be on a legacy show that my family and friends loved gave me that ‘I did it!’ feeling. I had more than one line. I was on top of the world.”

Working on these shows taught Martin that dreams really do come true.

“I was on set with people I’d spent my whole life admiring. I watched my Father of the Bride VHS so much that the poor thing gave out. Standing in front of Steve Martin and Martin Short was a surreal, incredible experience,” she said. “Same for Mariska Hargitay, Ice-T, James Spader and Carey Mulligan. I’m so grateful and honored that I worked with them. Watching them work was a lesson in focus and understanding your character. They all knew their characters and objectives from front to back.”

Martin’s experiences at UNCW helped her grow in her craft and prepared her for the realities of working in film, TV and theatre.

“You know the phrase ‘Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready?’ That’s how UNCW prepared me,” she said. “Nothing can truly prepare you for being on a live set. Things move so fast, there’s lingo you don’t understand, and sometimes you’re working with someone who’s been doing this longer, which can feel intimidating. My professors always stressed that as long as I knew my stuff, none of the other stuff mattered. Stay ready.”

After graduation, Martin landed a job as an accounting clerk in a film production in Wilmington. She continued working in accounting for various productions, which eventually led her to Jigsaw Productions in New York. Working behind the scenes has taught her “how essential every single role is in creating a project,” she said.

“I’ve been able to learn what every department contributes and how, without them, it all falls apart,” Martin continued. “Acting is such a small piece of the puzzle.”

Martin recently finished filming a new show called Power:Origins, a STARZ series slated for release in late 2026 or early 2027. She’s also flexing her writing skills by working on a new script.

“Could screenplay writer also go in my bio? Stay tuned.”