Donica Lynn

Donica Lynn is a wife. mother of three, grandmother of 2 boys, an LGBTQ+ advocate, a multi-hyphenate that crosses artistic disciplines, and a brain tumor survivor. Named "Tribune Chicago Person of the Year 2016-Theatre". Donica has received numerous awards, & accolades including five Joseph Jefferson Award nominations (2 wins) Three Black Theatre Alliance Award nominations (2 wins). Time Out Chicago Magazine acclaimed her Best Actress, as did Broadwayworld.Com, Two African American Arts Alliance Award nominations along with a Beauty In Beauty Out Perseverance Award, and Dean Richards formerly of WGN TV/RADIO calls her one of his favorite voices and people. Porchlight Music Theatre Co. credits include: "DREAMGIRLS, CALL ME MADAM, Host of NEW FACES SINGS BROADWAY 1975, DUKE ELLINGTON'S, SOPHISTICATED LADIES, CHICAGO SINGS: Motown; Disney, "BLUES IN the NIGHT"w/dear friend Tony Award nominee Felicia P. Fields .While originating the role of Paulina in the world premiere of "A WONDER IN MY SOUL" at Victory Gardens Theater, she also performed alongside her friend & mentor, Tony Award Winner Andre de Shields in his auto-biographical piece "CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P.." Other select Chicago credits include "DON'T GET AROUND MUCH ANYMORE, GOOD BLACK, THIS FAR BY FAITH, RUNAWAY HOME" (ETA Creative Arts Foundation) "SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE", AIDA, ,42nd STREET, ROCK OF AGES, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, JAMES and the GIANT PEACH" (Drury Lane Oakbrook) "BARNUM the CIRCUS MUSICAL, THE COLOR PURPLE" (The Mercury Theatre) "SLIPPIN THROUGH THE CRACKS, LADY IN DENMARK, AIN'T MIS'BEHAVIN, CROWNS"(Goodman Theatre)"FIORELLO, STEP INTO TIME GALA 2006, 13', 23',24' (Timeline Theatre Company) "HAIR (Paramount Theatre) "WHEN LAST WE FLEW" (About Face Theatre) "BLACK NATIVITY" (Congo Square Theatre Co/Goodman Theatre) "SHAKESPEARE TONIGHT" (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre Company) "SANCTIFIED" (Congo Square Company Theatre Co.) "CAROLINE or CHANGE" (Court Theatre) "DUKE ELLINGTON'S QUEENIE PIE"(Chicago Opera Theatre) "BOBO the BULLY" (Black Ensemble Theater) "CHILDREN of EDEN" (Broadway in Chicago/Cadillac Theatre) streamed through Chicago Theatre Fund. Indiana: "FOOTLOOSE, GHOST THE MUSICAL, ARETHA FRANKLIN QUEEN OF SOUL" (Theatre at the Center) Michigan: "HAIR, ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW" (Barn Theatre) "AMERICAN SON" (Wealthy Theatre) Donica has been the guest teaching artist Fort Wayne Indiana's THREE RIVERS MUSIC THEATRE as well as Grand Rapids Michigan's BAM Talent Group, both turning out students that have gone to work as casting directors on Broadway, lead, & ensemble performers on national tours after working w/her.

OFFSTAGE CREDITS: THE MOUNTAINTOP (Asst. Director Invictus Theatre Co) THE CRUCIBLE (Asst. Director- Invictus Theatre Co) THE COLOR PURPLE (Floor Manager -Drury Lane OakBrook) SOUTHERN GOTHIC (Asst. Dir. Windy City Playhouse @Petterinos) FABULATION, or THE RE-EDUCATION of UNDINE (Asst. Director Co-casting assoc. Pulse Theatre Co.) Summer On The Nile Program & Finale 2010-2013 (Co-Director ETA Creative Arts Foundation) Vocal & Speech Program (Creator, Director & Teacher. Chernin Center for the Arts) TODAY'S A GOOD DAY- A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR CANCER (Creator, Co-prod, Director Performer-Mercury Theater Chicago) Donica is an alumna member of Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago Choir, and All-City Youth Choir, she sang (two years) with Chicago Lyric Opera's Chicago Voices program at the direct request of world renowned opera vocalist Renee Fleming. A deal with Subliminal records NY lead to two #1 house singles in the UK "SHOUT" & "KEEP ROCKIN" with house legends E-Funk, Mr. Timothy, along with touring the world with Eric Morillo before his passing in late 2021. A production deal with Ivory Pyramid Record's afforded Donica the honor to work with the late great jazz wizard Ramsey Lewis to cultivate a cover of "Portuguese Love" for his "DANCE OF THE SOUL" LP while also being featured ON the title track, along with "Fragile" on that same album. She's provided touring, background, live and/or studio vocals, to many artists, ranging from New Kids on the Block, Rahsaan Patterson, Mariah Carey, Natalie Cole, to Aretha Franklin. When not on stage or backstage you'll find Donica (a two-time brain tumor survivor) donating her time to various charities, and causes such as "Beltfest" for Howard Brown Health Centers, or Chicago Aids Foundation, Chicago Actors Called To Action fundraisers, Season of Carols, The Beautiful City Project, and singing annually for the opening ceremonies of CHICAGO AIDS RUN/WALK as well. Donica is a proud member of AEA, AGMA and SAG-AFTRA. Represented by Stewart Talent Agency