Student Spotlight: Sam Martin '23

“Maybe this is why God me autistic,” Sam Martin says. “To give a voice to those without one.”

When Sam was 18 months old he was diagnosed with Autism. His parents were told he would likely never talk or live independently. A few months later Sam began defying the odds by speaking his first words. Today Sam is one semester away from graduating from college and an award winning actor, but his journey hasn’t been easy.

“I’ve worked hard to get to where I’m at today and went through a lot along the way,” Sam says. “I would scream as a little kid because I didn’t have words yet. I was bullied a lot in school. I had several years of speech therapy. I had a paraprofessional with me at every minute of the school day until I was in second grade. I did two years of preschool and kindergarten. I put in a lot of work and put it in so long ago, that I’ve largely forgotten how much I did to be who I am today.”

While Sam worked overtime to accomplish what comes for many without thinking, he wrestled with his identity.

“There have been days where I’ve hated myself for being autistic, for being myself.” Sam says. “I often feel I’m not good enough or that I haven’t put in enough work or I’ve disappointed the people I’ve loved. These are just some of the reasons it has taken me so long to finally tell people that I am autistic. Because I was ashamed of who I am. And it probably would’ve been that way without the theatre production at USF last spring.”

Sam auditioned for USF theatre production “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” not expecting to land a role—and then he landed the lead. He was cast as Christopher Boone, a 15 year old autistic teenager who goes on an adventure that changes him forever and realizes that he can do anything. 

This summer Sam was recognized for his outstanding work at the Stage Awards which celebrate the amazing work being done by local companies and local performers in the Sioux Falls theatre, dance, comedy and entertainment arenas.

It was in his acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Play or Musical – Collegiate that for the first time in his life Sam publicly shared that he was Autistic.

“My acceptance speech was the first time in my life that I have publicly announced that I am autistic and it feels incredible to finally have the dignity to love myself for who I really am,” Sam says. “This achievement is not just for me, but for all of those who have fought so hard to be themselves in this weird world. You all have value and love.