Biography

Karen Vicks has established herself as one of Philadelphia’s finest actors. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Aftra, and Actors Equity. Karen was the Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Acting Studio and is now the Executive Director of Ascension Galleries where she provides private coaching to professional actors. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University teaching Acting in TV and Film. Karen has performed in almost every theatre in Philadelphia and has also performed on the west coast, Atlanta, Boston, New York and the Baltimore/DC area. Her distinctive voice has led Karen to perform professional script readings for the New City Stage Company in New York and the Philadelphia Film Office. Karen has studied with the Negro Ensemble Company in New York and she has been celebrated as a stage director. Karen was twice nominated for the Barrymore awards in Philadelphia as Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and the first runner-up for Philly Critic’s Choice Award as the best leading actress. Karen has appeared on television in the Comedy Central television series “Broad City”, the HBO series “Veep” and had a recurring role in HBO's critically acclaimed series “The Wire". Some of her other movie credits include Bill Duke's daring independent film “Cover” , “In Her Shoes,” “Ladder 49,” “Beloved”, and “Loving”. Karen has performed in many other independent films as well. Karen’s most recent performance was as “Mama” (Lena Younger) in “A Raisin in the Sun” at the Triad Theatre in Greensboro NC.