Regina Taylor

This performer made a hit onstage in the 1980s and was lauded for one particular TV role, before beginning to make her mark in features. Taylor grew up in a poor Dallas, TX neighborhood and began acting in college. Arriving in New York in 1981, she supported herself with odd jobs until the roles began coming in: repertory, off-Broadway and finally the New York Shakespeare Festival's "Shakespeare on Broadway." Overseen by actress/director Estelle Parsons, the program presented Shakespearean productions for NYC high school students. Taylor appeared in several productions and had the distinction of being one of the few black actresses to portray Juliet. She also adapted several German plays for the New York Theater Festival, and was one of the few American performers in the Broadway show "Sarafina!" (1988-89).