Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr.
About the artist
Godfrey L. Simmons Jr., Artistic Director, Hartbeat Ensemble. Simmons is an award-winning actor, producer, director, and playwright who has spent thirty years amplifying the voices of marginalized people and communities. He brings with him an extensive background working with ensembles, as an actor (Off-Broadway and regional theaters), teacher, director, playwright and producer. In 2012, he co-founded Civic Ensemble, a regional theatre in Ithaca, NY. He was a Producing Artist for Off-Broadway’s Epic Theatre Ensemble for four years, appearing in a dozen productions. He also co-wrote and starred with Brandt Adams in a documentary play about the election of President Barack Obama, Dispatches From (A)mended America after interviewing 100 Southerners about the election. He won the 1999 Audelco Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance opposite Leslie Uggams in The Old Settler at Primary Stages. (supplied)
Town and Gown
March 13 | 4pm | Timms Centre Theatre
Are We There Yet? BIPOC Artist Representation in Canada and the U.S.
Godfrey Simmons joins members of the Edmonton artistic communities to talk about contemporary diversity practice.
Panelists:
Christine Frederick (Executive director, Dreamspeakers)
Sue Goberdhan (Co-artistic producer, Azimuth Theatre)
Godfrey Simmons, Jr. (Artistic director, Hartbeat Ensemble)
Ken Williams (UofA Associate Professor and playwright)
Conversation
March 16 |12–1pm | Timms Seminar Room
How to Make a Career as a IBPOC Artist
IBPOC students are invited to join Godfrey Simmons in the Timms Seminar Room to discuss the challenges and opportunities for IBPOC artists who choose a career in the arts.
This activity is intended for IBPOC students in the Fine Arts. Please sign up HERE.
Discussion & Pizza Lunch
March 16 | 1–2pm | ***Timms Centre for the Arts - Lobby*** (updated location!)
“The Political Actor”
Godfrey Simmons joins Fine Arts faculty and students for an interactive conversation led by Melanie Dreyer-Lude. Pizza lunch will be provided to participants.
Join the Fine Arts EDID committee from 12–1pm for a tour of the Timms Centre and Drama Department spaces prior to this event (meet in the Timms lobby).
Workshop
March 18 |11am–1pm | FAB 2-43
Community-Based Theatre Making as Social Justice Practice
UofA students from across campus are invited to participate in a community-based theatre making workshop led by Godfrey Simmons.
Community-Based Theatre Making will examine exercises and or childhood games we have engaged in throughout our lives as children OR theatre practitioners, and how these games and exercises can be used to create playful, political and resonant theatrical moments rooted in the concerns and dreams of one's community -- whether it is the home, neighbourhood, private businesses or the government. The workshop will draw on exercises in the tradition of Viola Spolin, Augusto Boal and Michael Rohd among others.
All interested students are welcome. Please sign up HERE.
For more information, please contact: Dr. Melanie Dreyer-Lude | dreyerlu@ualberta.ca