Vinie Burrows

R�sum�

photoActor, writer, director, and producer, Vinie Burrows has been described by theatre critic Clive Barnes (The New York Post) as "one of the reigning divas of the Black theatre."

Born in Harlem in New York City, Ms. Burrows received a B.A. (pre-law) from New York University.

Actor

Ms. Burrows made her Broadway debut as a youngster with Helen Hayes, in a play directed by Joshua Logan. Since that auspicious beginning, she has appeared in six other Broadway shows, many off-Broadway productions, and international theatre festivals in Paris and Berlin, in roles ranging from classical Greek plays and Shakespeare to modern works. She has appeared with Mary Martin, Claude Rains, Ossie Davis, James Earl Jones, Louis Gossett, and Earle Hyman.

Television

An active member of The Dramatists Guild, Vinie has also gained honors in radio, film and television with appearances on As The World Turns, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Presents, and The Hallmark Hall Of Fame.

Radio

For three years, Vinie hosted a weekly live two-hour show, More Than Half The World, on the Pacifica Station WBAI (99.5 FM) in New York City. Her guests included street vendors, abused wives, diplomats, writers, actors, politicians, grass-roots housing activists, etc.

Awards

Vinie Burrows has been honored many times, not only for her contributions as an artist, but for her activities on behalf of women and people of color. Only the major awards in recognition of her work as a performer are listed below (for a more complete list, see Awards.)

  • In 2000, the Black Theatre Network gave her their Fletcher Award for lifetime artistic excellence.

  • In 1999, Audelco gave her their "Vivian" Award for Best Solo Performance of the year.

  • In 1998, the American Bar Association gave her their Silver Gavel Award for video narration.

  • In 1997, Vinie received an Emmy nomination for narration of The Amistad Revolt.

  • In 1995, the National Black Theatre Festival gave Vinie a Living Legend Award for a lifetime of excellence in theatre.

  • In 1994, AUDELCO, gave her their prestigious "Best Actor of the Year" award.

  • In 1993, The Working Theatre awarded her a bronze plaque in recognition of her ability to champion the cause of working people and her efforts to bridge the gap between the arts and the world of work.

  • In 1986, Actors Equity Association conferred on her their distinguished Paul Robeson Award for her commitment to human rights and her use of the arts to create understanding and respect for diversity.

Producer/Writer

b&w photo As a young performer, Vinie Burrows was undaunted by the dearth of quality roles on the legitimate stage for Black performers. She created her own solo productions, and is now a member of the International Women's Writers Guild (IWWG).

Vinie has a repertoire of eight completely different one-woman shows. These remarkable performance pieces have been sponsored on more than 5,000 college campuses, and featured on international tours of Holland, Germany, Denmark, Rumania, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Japan, and -- most recently -- Moscow (Russia).

Activist

photoWhile the major thrust of her life has been to carry the message of peace, justice, and reconciliation through theatre art, Ms. Burrows expanded her political and social effectiveness when she was accredited to the United Nations as Permanent Representative for the Women's International Democratic Federation -- a Non-Governmental Organization [NGO] in Consultative Status, Category One, with the Economic and Social Council.

Vinie's particular concerns are peace and disarmament, racial discrimination, women's issues, and economic/social development:

  • Chair emeritus of the NGO Committee on Southern Africa at the U.N.

  • Speaker before the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council, the Commission on the Status of Women (in Geneva), and the Decolonization Committee on the Question of New Caledonia.

  • Represented her organization at Geneva, Nairobi, Stockholm, Prague, and Vienna.

  • Sent as part of a four-person delegation in 1985 to Southern Africa, to investigate the condition of women and children under apartheid.

  • Co-convener of the Copenhagen NGO Forum in 1980.

Educator

Vinie retains her life-long love of learning, and shares her knowledge and wisdom with young and old. She continually enlarges her circle of young people to encourage them on their way.
  • adjunct professor at St. Peter's College

  • adjunct professor at Sarah Lawrence College

  • lecturer at The New School for Social Research

  • theatre director at Franklin & Marshall College

  • Artist-in-Residence at many universities and school districts, most notably in 1987 at Santa Clara University in Medea.

Send e-mail (to vinieb@sprynet.com)
Fax: [212] 254-6055
Ananse Productions
63 Avenue A, suite 19I
New York, NY 10009-6535

spotlights

Published by Ananse Productions, Web site by Carol Stein� � � � Last�Revised:�September 12,�2000

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