All About Deidrie Henry
Deidrie Henry stars as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at The Armory, but her history with Portland Center Stage and former Artistic Director Chris Coleman go way back. From a degree in aeronautical science to first acting with Chris at the age of 16, learn more about this incredible artist and her fascinating career.
Deidrie and Chris
Deidrie has the distinction of performing in Chris’s opening (Closer in 2000) and closing seasons (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill in 2018) as Artistic Director at Portland Center Stage at The Armory.
Chris first directed Deidrie when she was 16 years old in The Good Person of Szechwan by Bertolt Brecht (she played The Good Person) at The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program — a residential summer program for gifted and talented high school students.
Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire
In June 2016, Deidrie performed the famous role of Blanche in Tennessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Chris. The audience raved about her performance, one even said her performance was "the best Blanche I have ever seen."
A degree in aeronautical science
Are you ready for this? Deidrie has a degree in aeronautical science. In the early 1990s she trained as a pilot, but Eastern Airlines folded the year she graduated and the market was flooded with unemployed pilots. Deidrie says “the universe conspired” to get her back to the stage and that same year she acted alongside Chris in The Vision at Actor’s Express, founded in 1988 by Chris and Harold M. Leaver in Atlanta, Georgia.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Deidrie also performed at The Oregon Shakespeare Festival for four seasons, including the roles of Rosalind in As You Like It, Irina in Three Sisters, Susie in Wit, Ophelia in Hamlet and Vera Dotson in Seven Guitars, among others.
Dael Orlandersmith's Yellowman
She performed in Dael Orlandersmith's (Forever, 2016 and Until The Flood in our upcoming 2018-2019 season) Yellowman at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and then again at The Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. A runaway hit, it ran for eight months in Los Angeles and she was honored as Best Actress from the NAACP and received an Ovation Award, Backstage Garland Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle Award.
Popeyes
Since 2009, Deidrie has played the role of Annie, the official spokesperson for Popeyes, in television commercials. Her beloved character is credited for helping Popeyes discover its brand identity.
About Deidrie Henry
 | Los Angeles theater: A Raisin in the Sun and Parade at Center Theatre Group; Coming Home and Yellowman (Best Actress Awards from the NAACP, Ovation Award, Backstage Garland Award and the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award) at The Fountain Theatre; Small Tragedy at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Regional theater: It Can't Happen Here and Yellowman at Berkeley Repertory Theatre; A Streetcar Named Desire and Closer at The Armory; American Night: The Ballad of Juan José at Yale Repertory Theater; Ballad of Emmett Till at Goodman Theatre; Oregon Shakespeare Festival for four seasons, appearing as Rosalind in As You Like It, Irina in Three Sisters, Susie in Wit, Ophelia in Hamlet, Vera Dotson in Seven Guitars, among others; Blues for an Alabama Sky (Helen Hays Award nomination) at the Alliance Theatre, Hartford Stage, Arena Stage and Huntington Theatre Company. Other awards: Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist and Cabaret Debut for her cabaret, What a Day for a Daydream (New York). Television: Game of Silence, The Riches, Criminal Minds, Justified, Glee and CSI. Film: Beyond the Lights and Beautiful Boy. |
Editors note: This article original stated that Deidrie Henry can fly commercial planes — she is a pilot, but not a commercial airline pilot. It also incorrectly stated that Deidrie has been filming three to four commercials with Popeyes since 2013 — she has been filming numerous commercials since 2009. We apologize for the errors. We do, however, stand by our original sentiment that Deidrie is an extraordinary human.
More about Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill:
Reviews of "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill"
"Packed with great music and featuring an incredible performance by Deidrie Henry as Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill is an absolute must-see." - BroadwayWorld
Playwright Lanie Robertson on Finding the Voice to Make "Lady Day" Sing
Playwright Lanie Robertson talks about capturing Billie Holiday's voice for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill."
Specialty Cocktails Inspired by "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill"
Bar Supervisor (and resident mixologist) Melissa Larrabee introduces the specialty cocktails in honor of our final show of the season, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.
A Force of Nature: Deidrie Henry on Becoming Billie Holiday
Deidrie Henry on the challenges, rewards and importance of becoming the iconic Lady Day.
"Lady Day" Cast and Creative Team
Meet the incredible cast and creative team behind Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.
Photos: "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill"
See photos of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill coming to The Armory May 26-July 1, 2018.
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Adult Class : TWELFTH NIGHT, Before & After
Join veteran actor Joe Costa for a unique opportunity to take a “deep dive” into both Shakespeare’s text of Twelfth Night, and the PCS Production. Participants will read the play out loud as a group, with “intermissions” provided for lively discussion of themes and content. Interested participants will have a chance to act in selected scenes, guided by the instructor.
Improv Comedy: Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of unscripted Elizabethan comedy! Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions!
Albina Music Trust presents A Brown Branch Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with A Brown Branch Christmas at Portland Center Stage. Now in its fourth season, this two-night big band celebration features directors Domo Branch and Charlie Brown III guiding a heavy 15-piece lineup of regional and national musicians.
BIPOC Affinity Night DJ Party with ALoSo
Join us for a double feature BIPOC Affinity Night, featuring a live DJ set by ALoSo, plus holiday craft market vendor tables, art exhibits by Albina Music Trust Wall to Wall Sound and Jason Hill's Favorite Things, with complimentary select drinks provided by Multnomah Whiskey Library and Deschutes Brewery while supplies last.
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Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
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