Marie Goodman Hunter

In 1982 Goodman Hunter received the Mayor's Award for “Most Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.” Over her many years on Richmond stages, she has become one of the region's most extensively honored performers, widely celebrated for her singing and acting as well as for her passionate community spirit.

When VMT attained full professional repertory status, Goodman Hunter was one of the local actors who received an Equity contract. She gained professional rank in the VMT Rep company, produced under the artistic direction of Keith Fowler, which included Ken Letner, E.G. Marshall, Alfred Drake, Janet Bell, Lynda Myles, and dramaturg M. Elizabeth Osborn. Fowler produced both new American plays and world premieres of works by European playwrights, in addition to some American classics. In 1974 Goodman Hunter got to use all her performance skills as the Innkeeper's Wife in Man With a Load of Mischief. Among major roles she played at VMT were Berenice in The Member of the Wedding, Missy in Purlie, Ginny Jenny in The Threepenny Opera, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls.

Beginning in the late 1950s, she began to act in the Virginia Museum Theater, a community theater. When it became an Equity/LORT in 1969, she was among those invited to join as an Equity actor and become a professional in the company. From 1976 to 2001 she won six Phoebe awards from Richmond newspapers for her acting, a record in the city. She also had the opportunity to act with other companies, including at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey; the Alabama Shakespeare Festival; and in Caux, Switzerland. While retired from full seasons, Goodman Hunter continues to perform in special concerts or events.

Marie Goodman Hunter (born October 16, 1929; adopted and named Florence Marie Goodman) is an American actor, singer, and educator. She was adopted when young and grew up in Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. She taught Music and Speech for 30 years at John Marshall High School. A mezzo soprano, she also performed as a soloist in Richmond churches.