CV: Cynthia Henderson
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CYNTHIA HENDERSON
Professor, Actor Training
Department of Theatre Arts
Ithaca College
Academic Degrees
The Pennsylvania State University, Professional Actor Training Program – MFA 1997
Troy State University, Theatre Major – BS 1994
Professional Membership
1997 – Present Actor’s Equity Association
2007 – Present National Alliance of Acting Teachers
Awards and Honors
2022 Faculty Excellence Award
Ithaca College
2022 Hangar Theatre Tom Niederkorn Award
Extraordinary contributions to artistic and educational programming
2015 Fulbright Specialist
University of Yaounde 1 in Cameroon, Central Africa
2015 Fulbright Specialist
Universidade Estadual da Paraíba in Joao Pessoa, Brazil
2011 Tompkins County Sign of Sustainability (PASC)
2008 CSPA-NYS Outstanding Contribution to Social Justice Award
2008 20 Outstanding Women You Should Know in Central NY
Cayuga Radio Group
2004 – 2005 Who’s Who of American Women
2003 – 2004 Fulbright Scholar
University of Yaounde 1 in Cameroon, Central Africa
1991 Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
European Tournament of Plays
Production – Little Shop of Horrors; Role - Ronnette
Books
In development In the Studio: a conversation about the craft of acting
2009 The Actors Landscape
Publisher: Gateways Books and Tapes – Nevada City, CA
2004 Understanding Character Through Self
Publisher: Editions SHERPA – Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa
Profits from this book fund an arts scholarship at the University of Yaoundé 1
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2001 Introduction to Theatre Study Guide (with Dr. Jack Hrkach)
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Primus Custom Publishing
Professional Development
Metropolitan Opera (NYC remote learning) – expected completion June 2022
Opera Boot Camp: Introduction to Operatic Staging
The Actors Center (NYC) – June 2005 and 2007
(Lloyd Richards, Earle Gister, Catherine Fitzmaurice, Per Brahe, Christopher Bayes, Slava
Dolgatchev, Ron Van Lieu and J. Michael Miller)
University Teaching
2000 - Present Professor, Department of Theatre Arts
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
First Year Scene Study, Sophomore Scene Study, Advanced Scene Study,
and Intro to Musical Theatre: Song Performance: Acting courses for the
BFA Acting and Musical Theatre training program. Theatre for Social
Change: an ICC designated theatre course.
1999 - 2000 Adjunct Professor, Department of Theatre and Dance
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Children’s Theatre class designed to teach future educators various ways
of working with children using drama as a basis for learning. In this class
we created our own text as we worked. The other class was an acting
class for non-theatre majors, designed to introduce the beginning actor to
the concepts and practices of acting.
1998- 1999 Adjunct Professor, Department of Theatre Arts
Hunter College
New York, NY
Advanced acting techniques for the continuing theatre major. Course
combined a variety of acting concepts. Class covered monologues, scenes
and some improvisation.
1997- 1999 Adjunct Professor, Department of Theatre Arts
Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY
Basic and advanced acting techniques for the BA and BFA theatre majors
with an emphasis on monologues in the first semester and scenes in the
second semester. Course combined a variety of acting concepts with a
heavy Meisner emphasis.
1995 - 1997 Instructor of Acting, School of Theatre
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA
Fundamentals of Acting - course designed for college level non-theatre
majors, as an introduction to the actor's craft. Basic acting techniques
emphasized improvisation, scene and monologue work.
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Youth Actor Training
1997- 1999 Instructor of Acting
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts
(Summer Program)
New York, NY
Basic acting techniques for actors at various stages of development,
ranging from the professional to the beginner, in a conservatory setting.
Invitational Workshops
July 2022 Guest Artist
The College Audition Conservatory
Orlando, FL
Invited by Juilliard alum Tim Evanicki to teach in an 8-day college
audition preparatory summer intensive.
May 2021 Guest Artist (Zoom)
High School of Performing Arts
Rockaway, NJ
College audition workshop
November 2020 Guest Artist (Zoom)
RE: Theatre
New York, NY
Masterclass - RE:envisioning Personal Practices
Zoom masterclass for acting teachers (national)
October 2020 Workshop Facilitator (Zoom)
National Alliance of Acting Teachers
New York, NY
Values Statement Workshop
Anti-racism workshop for an international gathering of acting teachers
Feb – May 2020 Guest Artist
ICSD: Boynton Middle School
Ithaca, NY
Performing Arts for Social Change Workshop
Speaking Our Truth
A writing workshop, and devised theatre production based on students
navigating middle school while discovering themselves as unique
individuals.
January 2019 Guest Artist
ICSD: Ithaca High School
Ithaca, NY
Acting Workshop: Embracing Inclusivity
Student orientation for Rent auditions
April and Oct 2018 Workshop Creator and Facilitator
ICSD: Ithaca High School
Ithaca, NY
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Creating A Culturally Responsive Approach to Co-Curricular Activities in
the Arts: workshops for ICSD faculty and staff, to encourage an honest
look at and making changes as it relates to racial bias in the arts programs.
September 2017 Instructor, TFC/Acting workshop
The Juilliard School
Two-part workshop series. Theatre for Social Change (TFC) workshop for
Juilliard’s Morse Fellows and TFC & Acting workshop for all
performance areas with a more craft focused workshop for MFA Actors.
December 2016 Instructor, Acting Workshop
La Compagnie NGOTI
Cameroon Central Africa
Meisner workshop for La Compagnie Theatre Company
September 2016 Instructor, Theatre for Social Change Workshop
April 2016 Cornell University
“Perception and Imagination” September 2016
“Societal Mirror: Privilege and Discrimination” April 2016
November 2015 Instructor, Acting Workshop
University of Dschang, School of Performing Arts
Foumban, Cameroon Central Africa
“The Actor as Societal Storyteller” for graduate acting program
November 2015 Instructor, Acting Masterclass
University of Yaounde 1, Department of Theatre and Cinema
Yaounde, Cameroon Central Africa
Masterclass for graduate and undergraduate performance majors
June – July 2014 Visiting Instructor, Acting Workshop
LaPorarosa Media Project
Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador
The workshop focused on improvisational scene work, character
development and storytelling techniques. Culminated in a 30 minute play
focused on issues in Bahía de Caráquez.
June – August 2013 Visiting Instructor, English Immersion Program
Beijing New Oriental School
Beijing, China
Seven weeks teaching English through a series of acting workshops.
Emphasis was on immersion in western culture and the intricacies of the
English language. We focused our work on improvisational scene
explorations, and worked with the play “Proof” by David Auburn to
explore the similar family dynamics shared by American and Chinese
cultures.
Conferences and Invited Presentations
May 2021 Attendee
Art Equity
New York, NY
Strategies for Becoming an Anti-Racist Organization
Zoom one-day facilitated discussion
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March 2021 Panelist
National Alliance of Acting Teachers
New York, NY
Tenure and the Academic Career
Zoom presentation
January 2021 Panelist
New York State Theatre Education Association
The Oasis Panels: Escape the Idea Desert
NYSTEA zoom facilitated state-wide conversation on how to theatre arts
to support marginalized communities
Dec 2020 – Feb 2021 Evaluator
The Peabody Awards
One of six evaluators focusing on performing arts across platform
venues (TV, radio, podcasting, web). We evaluate music
documentaries, broadcasts of theatre, music pieces, podcasts about
opera, etc., using a rubric articulated by the Peabody organization.
August 2019 Presenter
American Alliance for Theatre and Education National Conference
New York, NY
City University of New York
School of Professional Studies MA in Applied Theatre
The Actor as Change Maker: Creating opportunities for transformation
and proactive change via the arts
August 2018 Guest Speaker
Billie Holiday Theatre/Stella Adler Studios
New York, NY
Black Arts Theatre Intensive
Theatre for Social Change within Actor Training
June 2018 Panelist
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Future Professors Institute
Exploring Your Institutional Fit
May 2018 Keynote Speaker
Federal University of Pernambuco
Recife, Brazil
Gilbreto Freyre Research Symposium
Intersection of Actor Training and Theatre of the Oppressed
June 2017 Presenter
National Alliance of Acting Teachers Conference
New York, NY
Understanding Your Character via the Self
How self-exploration exercises can help find aspects within the actor’s
life and psyche that gives the character a clear sense of purpose and an
active inner life. Lecture with mini workshop for professors from
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universities across the nation including Yale, CSU in Long Beach, The
New School and NYU.
October 2017 Guest Speaker and Panelist
SUNY Oswego
Oswego, NY
A Raisin in the Sun & Clybourne Park: a societal commentary
September 2016 Keynote Speaker
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
Women in Public Policy's Global Women Exhibit
July 2014 Presenter
ATHE Conference
Scottsdale, AZ
“Shuo Meng Hua (Talking in my Dreams): Using Drama for English and
Chinese Language Learning,” Association of Theatre in Higher
Education, Scottsdale, Arizona
April 2013 Visiting Lecturer
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
“Transformative Theatre: Using Theatre as an Agent for Social Change,”
Latin American Studies Program at Cornell University
March 2009 Keynote Speaker
Ithaca College School of Music
Ithaca, NY
“Creating Culturally Affirming Education for Youth of Color: Making a
Difference in Music and General Education Conference.”
October 2004 Presenter
U.S. Fulbright Association 27
th
Annual Conference
Athens, Greece
Presented on work in Cameroon, Africa with Theatre for Social
Development, and on “Politics and Theatre.”
September 2003 Presenter
Cameroon International Film Festival
Cameroon, Africa
Panelist for conference and presented a workshop on professional
development in the field of acting.
Performance - Theatre (partial listing)
HURRICANE DIANE Renee The Kitchen Theatre
AN ODYSSEY Fate Hangar Theatre
GOD’S TROMBONES The Crucifixion Loaves and Fishes Theatre Co.
GUN HILL Zoe Origin Theatre Company
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GUN HILL Zoe Museum of Literature and
Culture, Romania
A RASIN IN THE SUN Lena Younger Hangar Theatre
KATRINA: the musical Violet WoW and Cherry ArtSpace
GUN HILL (new play workshop) Zoe Women’s Projects (NYC)
MARCH ON! Leah Hangar Theatre
RAGING OPERA Ma Ithaca Fringe Festival
WOMEN’S WISDOM Actress 2 Purlgut Productions (tour)
MERIT Janice IC On the Verge
UNLIMITED YEAR LONG PACK Candace OnStage Female Playwright Festival
KING LEAR Goneril Nittany Valley Shakespeare – PA
GOD OF CARNAGE Veronica Readers Theatre of Ithaca
NO CHILD 16 Characters Readers Theatre of Ithaca
SOMETHING YOU DID Lenora Next Stage Theatre – PA
VAGINA MONOLGUES Memory/Baptized V-Day Event – NYC
IT’S ONLY A PLAY Julia Midtown International Theatre Festival
TWO ROOMS Ellen Kitchen Theatre – Ithaca
PRETTY FIRE Charlayne U.S. Cultural Center -
Cameroon, Africa
JOY IN THE MORNING Ruth/Woman Playwrights Horizon
LIVE AND IN COLOR! All Characters Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Titania Hangar Theatre – Ithaca
GOD’S TROMBONES The Creation Eisenhower – PA
STOP KISS Callie Kitchen Theatre – Ithaca
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING Woman Shomberg Center – NYC
A WRINKLE IN TIME Mrs. Whatsit Lincoln Center – NYC
BROTHER'S KEEPER Latisha Samuel Beckett – NYC
DOROTHY Dorothy Dandridge Samuel Beckett – NYC
A RAISIN IN THE SUN (w/ Frances Foster) Ruth U/RTC – PA
MEASURE FOR MEASURE Marianna U/RTC – PA
SWEENEY TODD Ensemble Pennsylvania Centre Stage
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND Cheshire Cat Pennsylvania Centre Stage
MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Dussie Mae Springer Theatre – GA
CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD Sarah Frankfurter Playhouse – Germany
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Ronnette Frankfurter Playhouse –Germany
INTO THE WOODS The Witch Frankfurter Playhouse – Germany
DREAMGIRLS Lorrel Frankfurter Playhouse – Germany
Performance – Film and Television (partial listing)
SHORT FILM Cheryl Park Faculty film
HOW DO I SAY, “I LOVE YOU” (book) Voice Actor Children’s Reading Connection
ALL ARE WELCOME (children’s book) Voice Actor Children’s Reading Connection
UNTITLED FAITH BASED FILM Keisha Park Senior film
AN EAGLE’S FEATHER (animated film) Voice Actor Cornell Lab of Ornithology
WOMEN’S WISDOM (film version) Actress 2 Purlgut Productions
(PRO) CHOICE On Screen Narrator Purlgut Productions
GlassART (artist interviews) Host Corning Museum of Glass
FINGER LAKES UNCORKED Judy Park Productions - Ithaca
Industrial films Principal Cornell University
SOUL CONNECTION (TV commercial) Voice Over REP Productions – Ithaca
GREEK PEAK (TV spots into 2005) Voice Over REP Productions – Ithaca
IPG SOFTWARE Principal Industrial – Owego
STEAL AWAY Narrator Park Productions
COMEDY CENTRAL Principal Commercial - National
ROOMS TO GO Principal Commercial – FL
UPFRONT Principal MTV Productions – NYC
GHOST STORIES Starring Syndicated – National
JENNIFER CONVERTIBLES Principal Commercial – NYC
Directing – Theatre Productions (partial listing)
2021 RENT Ithaca College
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2021 A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Walking on Water Productions
2021 TRAP DOOR (a walking play) Cherry Arts Center
2020 SHE KILLS MONSTERS Ithaca College
2019 EVERYBODY Ithaca College
2018 THE KID THING Ithaca College
2017 IN THE RED AND BROWN WATER Ithaca College
2016 for colored girls who have considered suicide … Ithaca College
2015 6 One Act Plays OnStage Female Playwright Festival
2014 INTIMATE APPAREL Ithaca College
2014 IN A FOREST DARK AND DEEP Readers Theatre of Ithaca
2014 6 One Act Plays OnStage Female Playwright Festival
2013 FIRES IN THE MIRROR Ithaca College
2012 MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA! Ithaca College
2010 PLUMFIELD: IRAQ Ithaca College
2008 THE EXONERATED Ithaca College
2007 DRIVING TO THE END OF THE WORLD Puerto Penasco, MX
2005 BURN THIS Ithaca College
2004 for colored girls who have considered suicide … U.S. Cultural Center-
Cameroon, Africa
2004 TOP DOG/UNDER DOG Univ. of Yaounde 1
Cameroon, Africa
2003 THE COLORED MUSEUM Ithaca College
2003 TRIAD Ithaca College
Creative Works
FAB FIVE Acting Coach/Casting Director Coca-Cola Company
National Film Competition
(winner 2020 – Ithaca College)
THE LIBRARY Directing Mentor/Casting Director Coca-Cola Regal Cinema
National Film Competition
(winner 2018 – Ithaca College)
WE NEED THE TRUTH Writer/Producer Documentary Film
Airings and Screenings:
• U.S. Embassy in Yaounde (diplomatic screening for foreign dignitaries) 2015
• CRTV in Cameroon, Central Africa 2015
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• Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival in Ithaca, NY 2016 (peer reviewed)
FINGER LAKES UNCORKED Director Park Productions
PLUMFIELD, IRAQ: The Documentary co-Producer/Narrator Park Productions
IndiVisible Interviewee Smithsonian Institute
Native American Museum
ROAD TRIP: DEMYSTIFING HIV/AIDS Writer/Producer/Narrator Documentary Film
Airings and Screenings:
• CRTV in Cameroon, Africa 2004
• World AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand 2004
• PBS affiliates WCNY and WSKG 2005
Performing Arts for Social Change projects
Collaboration with IC Black Artists United Juneteenth Cabaret
City of Ithaca The Social Contract workshop/discussion
Boynton Middle School Speaking Our Truth
Ithaca City School District Race, White Privilege, and Education
Mental Health Association of Tomkins County 1 Out of 7
City of Ithaca Trust
LaPodarosa Media Project (Ecuador) Voces de Bahia
GIAC T.R.E.E.
Theatre of the Oppressed at IC Rainbow of Desire workshop
Veteran’s Sanctuary No Longer Your Prisoner
Lehman Alternative Community School Ruminations
and a One Day Storytelling Workshop
Fransiska Racker Center Problems or Possiblities
• This theatre project was also produced as an educational film for the Ithaca City School District
ACS at Louis Gossett Jr. Residential Center writing project
Greater Ithaca Area Community Center Voice Suspended
MacCormick Secure Center I Too Am America
Theatrical Skills (partial listing)
Stage Combat - Quarterstaff, Hand to Hand, Broadsword, Rapier and Dagger; Various Dialects
Professional Associations
Kitchen Theatre Company
• Board Member 2021 – present
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee Chair 2021 - present
Fulbright Alumni Association 2004 – present
• Board Member 2017 - present
National Alliance of Acting Teachers 2008 – present
• Committee Chair of the name change 2015 – 2016
National Association of Professional Women 2014
National Association of University Women 2005 – 2010
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Professional Biography
Cynthia Henderson has performed professionally throughout the United States, Europe, and Africa.
Her New York City credits include A Wrinkle in Time at the Lincoln Center; Off Broadway: Dorothy
Dandridge an evening of song and remembrance, Brother's Keeper, and Off-Off Broadway: Joy In
the Morning and A Star Ain't Nothin' but a Hole in Heaven. Regional Theater credits include: King
Lear, Two Rooms, Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Stop Kiss, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Valley
Song. International credits include Pretty Fire, Dreamgirls, Into the Woods, Children of a Lesser
God, and Little Shop of Horrors (Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – European Tournament of
Plays). Television credits include her documentary Road Trip: Demystifying HIV/AIDS (PBS),
starring role in UPN's Ghost Stories as well as numerous commercial credits. Directing credits
include: for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf (Africa), Top
Dog/Under Dog (Africa), Driving to the End of World (Mexico), Ithaca College’s Intimate Apparel,
Fires in the Mirror, My Children! My Africa!, Plumfield, Iraq, The Exonerated, Burn This, The
Colored Museum and Triad. Cynthia is a professor of acting at Ithaca College, a member of Actors’
Equity Association and a Fulbright Scholar.
