ESSENCE OF ACTING (EOA) is a network/ensemble of Acting Professionals who rehearse, perform, and produce theatrical presentations /productions primarily of  underserved playwrights to enhance their ability to be seen by wider audiences. Out of our genuine concern for accurate portrayal of characterizations, we workshop and consult with playwrights on their works. We also mentor new talent applying the ” IRON SHARPENS IRON” discipline.

Left to right: Donald Hyman, Morgan Heyward, Kim Wafer, Raquel Willard, Brenda Thomas Denmark, CB Murray, Leslie Dockery, Lisa N. Wilkerson, Franz Jones, Gabrielle Archer, Jeffery B. Wright, Valeska Cambron, Julius Hollingsworth, and Julia Lema.

EOA was established in 2015. It was created under the umbrella of GodLee Entertainment, Inc. and remained there until 2019 when the Ensemble became primarily financially independent. The EOA Acting Ensemble is under the umbrella of the non-profit ESSENCE OF ACTING INC as of  January 28, 2021.

The Artistic Range of the Acting Ensemble

The current core – members range from Broadway (Theatre), Cinema and Television veterans to young people becoming members only after entering the business with a couple of years of performance history. All are professional; learning and drawing on each other’s life experiences to enhance their artist performances.

Read More About Our Members and Plays

Current Core-Membership

Julia Lema

Leslie Dockery

Valeska Cambron

Julius Hollingsworth

Brenda Thomas Denmark

Donald Hyman

Lisa Nicole Wilkerson

Kim Wafer

Abbreviated Members

Our abbreviated members have lifestyle challenges that may limit their complete participation in our presentations.

Eternanda Fudge

Nykki Norman

D’Ambrose Boyd

Jay Aubrey Jones

Jay Aubrey Jones

Former Members

CB Murray, Ron Scott, Clinton Faulkner, Guy Whitlock, Toni Whitlock, Jalene Goodwin, Dathan B. Williams, Madeline McCray, Yvette Ganier, Akil Williams, Morgan Heyward, Sheldon Woodley, Gabrielle Archer, DeShawn White, Anthony Goss, Alexandra Foucard, Alex Jones, Kent Williams, Colette Ambo, Jay Aubrey Jones, Brocton Pierce, Valerie David, Chris Diaz, Marvin Bell, Joshua Pyram, Kianee Truvillion, Sean C. Turner, Anthony Solano, and many talented others!

Past Performances

An Equity Staged Reading of GREENWOOD; AN AMERICAN DREAM DESTROYED @ The Metropolitan College of NYC and Full Production of UNENTITLED @ THE Hudson Guild Theatre in New York City

All  Other EOA Performances and history