Lynnie Godfrey (HR ! Ally)

Studying in college Directing and Acting with the incomparable Lloyd Richards set the bar high and I have been challenged to meet that bar ever since. Born and raised in New York City is a great responsibility also, “one must represent” and the theatre and the world of the Arts presented a platform to do just that. Singing, then acting and directing came first and producing was a welcome challenge to expand the career. For musicals: I am the recipient of a Drama Desk Nomination for my Broadway debut in EUBIE! and the AUDELCO Award. For Acting and Producing: the NAACP and DRAMALOGUE Awards. For Directing: the Tyrone Guthrie Award for Excellence, among others. As a writer there is  my book: Lynnie Godfrey: Sharing Lessons Learned While Seeking the Spotlight. I am the Founder and Artistic Director of the non-profit acting ensemble Essence of Acting, Inc.

My directing and acting range go from traditional American musical  theatre SHUFFLE ALONG, DAMN YANKEES, CINDERELLA, to contemporary new plays GREENWOOD: AN AMERICAN DREAM DESTROYED by Celeste B. Walker and  UNENTITLED  by Charles White; as well as Athol Fugard’s BOSEMAN and LENA. Television and film work included a sequel to Norman Lear’s ALL IN THE FAMILY called 704 HAUSER. The Brewster Place series with Oprah Winfrey, 227, Frank’s Place, LA Law, AMEN and many more.

I am proud to be an  (directing and producing) ally in HONOR ROLL! as well as member of NAG (Negro Actors Guild),  LPTW (League of Professional Theatre Women), the Broadway Drama Guild and SDC (Stage Director’s and Choreographers’ Society).

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
http://lynniegodfrey.com
FB: Lynnie Godfrey, GodLee Entertainment, Inc.

MORE ABOUT ME
What was your most gratifying moment in the theater?*
I was portraying Lola in DAMN YANKEES  a young BIPOC came up to me backstage asked if the original Lola was Diana Ross. I was gratified to think that anyone had a shot at portraying Lola.

What play or production changed your life?*
The production that changed my life was seeing James Earl Jones in GREAT WHITE HOPE as a high school student.

I feel most like myself when I …. *
I feel most like myself when I am doing the ARTS…

How do you overcome disappointment?*
My faith gets through disappointment…teaching me I must not worry about what I cannot control.

If you could bring one change to theater, what would it be?*
Change is coming to the theatre now with the independent artists have a stronger voice as the independent artist should have.

What do you want artistic directors to know?*
I want the artistic directors to come out of their strategic artistic boxes they create to protect their theatres. They need to open their minds and expand their perimeters of thought.

What’s the one thing nobody knows about you that you’d like them to know?*
People do know how much the Arts means to me…it is the air I breathe.

Why do you keep doing theater?*
I must do theatre there is no choice…none.

How do you imagine telling stories in these times? *
Telling stories can be done so many ways…visually…visual aids, through spoken word, musically with lyrics…through music. We must be open to new methods.

WHAT I'M WORKING ON
I am working on an American History story of a Black American soldier and his treatment during  the World War II era.

KEYWORDS
History, Animals, Hunger, Children, Equality, Inclusion, Queer