An Atlanta native, has performed nationally and internationally in a wide range of roles that include Missionary/Tender Meeks in every tongue confess and Olive in Three Sistahs at Horizon Theatre, Bessie Smith in Bessie’s Blues with the San Diego Repertory, Alice in Big River, Blues Speak Woman in Spunk, and The Matron in Chicago. Bernardine received the 1993 Los Angeles Dramalogue Award for Best Actress. She is also the 2002 and 2005 Helen Hayes Award winner for Outstanding Lead Actress for her performances in Blues in the Night and Mahalia. She has been featured with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with the Harlem Gospel Singers on their 1997- 1998 European Tour, on ABC-TV’s Today Show, and in the CBS television movies The Guyana Tragedy and A Resting Place starring Morgan Freeman. Bernardine majored in Voice and Musical Theatre at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Member of AEA since 1979. TGTG!
