About Us

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Dr. Wrenn Goodrum is the Artistic Director/Founder of Activate Community Through Theatre (ACT), a company committed to the enlightenment, education and entertainment of youth, intergenerational and senior communities. She received her BFA (Acting) from the University of the N.C School of the Arts including a one year intensive theatre course in London. Her dream was to be an actress and during her last performance in an Off-Broadway play in NYC she realized her life mission was ‘teaching and directing youth’. Dr. Goodrum was the founder and Artistic Director of the award-winning All Children’s Theatre  in Providence, RI from 1987 to 2009. She received many awards including an honorary Doctorate of Pedagogy from RI College, a RI Foundation ‘Fellowship for Leadership Development’, Citizens’ Bank & Providence College “VERITAS Good Citizen” Medal for being an unsung hero and citizen in the community, the ‘Key to the City of Providence’ by Mayor David Cicilline and the ‘New England Moss Hart’ Award for ‘Best Production’ of all College, Community and Professional Theatres in the New England Theatre Conference. The production awarded was ‘Mill Girls’, an original play, conceived by Wrenn, about girls working in the New England mills. Dr. Goodrum has over thirty years of experience working with youth and has directed/produced over 250 plays, including four productions performed at the Providence Performing Arts Center for an audience of 5,000 middle school students. Currently she teaches and directs  youth acting companies at Matthews Playhouse, teaches an acting workshop for seniors at Brookdale Living - Weddington Park and produces/directs a season of plays for ACT.  

Dr. Wrenn Goodrum is a talented and dedicated artist and educator with a passion for her work and her community. Under her leadership, she impacted thousands of lives in our city, helping many overcome incredible obstacles in their lives by learning how to express themselves through theatre.  Her efforts have enriched our community.   Wrenn has an extraordinary gift for teaching, directing and inspiring people of all ages.
           Mayor David N. Cicilline (Now RI Congressman)
           Providence, Rhode Island

   The children who participated in the programs at ACT (All Children's Theatre) are encouraged to find their own creative voices, no matter how large or small those voices might be.  It is not the extent of the talent that is most  important to Wrenn.  What is primary is the collegiality and collaboration between children of different backgrounds and demographics.  By giving students ownership and authority she urges them to be strong, proud individuals. In her own  inimitable way she has inspired the new generation and challenged them to make the world a better place.
                Stephen Berenson
                Chair of MFA Programs Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium
                Resident Actor, Trinity Rep Company

Dr. Goodrum's energy and enthusiasm is contagious as exemplified in both her work with youth and seniors.  She has taught and directed for our summer programs, directed our first 'Acting Company for Youth' as well as starting and directing our Senior Theatre program.
                June Bayless
                Artistic Director, Matthews Playhouse