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. Goodman Hunter received particular acclaim for her work as Adelaide. Although the role had been traditionally played by white performers, reviewers saw Goodman Hunter as the standout of the production, stating “Miss Adelaide may be her finest hour.” Legacy and honors 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. She won a record total of six Phoebe awards as “Best Actress” from Richmond newspapers. These were for the following performances: The Member of the Wedding, 1976 Purlie, 1978 A Raisin in the Sun, 1985 The Amen Corner, 1987 ’Night, Mother, 1988 Having Our Say--The Delaney Sisters, 2001 References 1929 births American stage actresses Living people Actresses from Richmond, Virginia American Shakespearean actresses