Daphne Gaines |
Originally from Georgia, Daphne discovered her love for performance in Germany, where she spent her formative years living with her family. In Stuttgart, she won a Best Actress award in a regional Dramafest, and was immediately hooked by the variety of collaborative styles of the theatre. When she returned to the states, she studied at the University of Georgia, where she earned a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology. Daphne then set off to New York City to continue her studies at the Circle in the Square Theatre School, a three year acting conservatory.
Upon graduation, Daphne "cut her teeth" on poetry, shadow puppetry, and original works at Nitestar and Interborough Repertory Theatre, companies providing adolescent health/sex education and peer outreach for at risk youth. Later, she was drawn to the multi-media, experimental, and avant-garde theater of downtown New York, reworking classics like Ibsen's MASTERBUILDER, creating original work YOKASTAS REDUX with director Richard Schechner (The Performance Group/Wooster Group), and performing in a six hour rendition of Goethe's FAUST at Classic Stage Company.
Daphne continues to work extensively on New York, regional, and international stages with credits that include RUINED (Henry Award nomination) by Lynn Nottage and AMERICAN NIGHT: THE BALLAD OF JUAN JOSE’ (Henry Award) by Richard Montoya. She originated the role of Master Sunflower in the downtown hit, LILY’S REVENGE (Obie Award) by Taylor Mac, and collaborates with numerous acclaimed directors whose influence in entertainment pave the way for new audiences worldwide. Daphne is a Princess Grace Award recipient and was most recently seen onstage performing in the SOUND AND THE FURY at the Public Theater, directed by John Collins. Other recent projects include hosting the 2015 HERE arts "FutureCity" gala, appearing in the feature film, LOVE IS STRANGE, starring Alfred Molina and John Lithgow and performing voiceover work in numerous film and television series. Daphne will appear in THE SELECT with Elevator Repair Service Theater company in Santiago, Chile in January 2016. |