Karen Vicks is a renowned Philadelphia-based actor, boasting a distinguished career in the entertainment industry. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Aftra, and Actors Equity, she has made a name for herself through her exceptional performances on stage and screen.
As the former Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Acting Studio and current Executive Director of Ascension Galleries, Karen provides private coaching to professional actors, sharing her expertise and passion for the craft. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University, teaching Acting in TV and Film to aspiring artists.
Karen's impressive resume boasts performances in nearly every theatre in Philadelphia, as well as notable productions on the west coast, in Atlanta, Boston, New York, and the Baltimore/DC area. Her distinctive voice has led her to participate in professional script readings for the New City Stage Company in New York and the Philadelphia Film Office.
A student of the esteemed Negro Ensemble Company in New York, Karen has also been celebrated as a stage director and has been twice nominated for the Barrymore awards in Philadelphia, once for Best Actress and once for Best Supporting Actress. She was also the first runner-up for the Philly Critic's Choice Award as the best leading actress.
Karen's television credits include appearances on Comedy Central's "Broad City", HBO's "Veep", and a recurring role in HBO's critically acclaimed series "The Wire". Her film credits include notable roles in Bill Duke's independent film "Cover", "In Her Shoes", "Ladder 49", "Beloved", and "Loving", as well as numerous other independent films.
Karen's most recent performance was as "Mama" (Lena Younger) in "A Raisin in the Sun" at the Triad Theatre in Greensboro, North Carolina.
