Merced, California – October 12, 2023 – The world of theatre mourns the loss of Shirley Jo Finney, a distinguished international director, and actress, born in Merced, California. Her passing was announced through a heartfelt social media statement by Stephen Sachs, expressing deep sorrow at the loss of his “theatrical soulmate” after a prolonged illness.
Shirley Jo Finney, born on July 14, 1949, was a renowned director of theatre, television, and film. She left an indelible mark on the theatre landscape, having directed acclaimed productions at esteemed venues across the globe. Her directorial talents graced renowned theaters such as The McCarter Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodman Theater, and the State Theater in Pretoria, South Africa, among others.
One of her notable achievements was directing the critically acclaimed world premiere of “Citizen: An American Lyric” by PEN poet Claudia Rankin. Finney’s repertoire also included impactful works like “Facing Our Truth: The Trayvon Martin Project,” “The Road Weeps” by Marcus Gardley, and Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Brother/Sisters Plays.” She displayed her international prowess by helming the all-South African Opera “Winnie,” based on the life of political icon Winnie Mandela.
Throughout her illustrious career, Finney received numerous accolades, including the LA Drama Critics Milton Katselas Distinguished Career Award, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award, The Los Angeles Drama Critics Award, and the NAACP Award, among others. She was a recipient of the UCLA Department of Stage Film and Television Distinguished Alumni Award and The Black Alumni Association Dr. Beverly Robinson Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Debbie Miller shared a post on fb on the death of Shirley Jo Finney:
Rest in peace Shirley Jo Finney.🕊🤍After a long illness, she lost her battle with leukemia. (July 14, 1949 – October 11, 2023)SHIRLEY JO FINNEY is an award-winning international director of theatre, television, and film, as well as an accomplished actress. She has worn her director’s hat in some of the most respected regional theater houses across the country including The McCarter Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodman Theater, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Cleveland Playhouse, the Fountain Theater, LA Theater Works, the Crossroads Theater Company, Actors Theater of Louisville Humana Festival, the Sundance Theater Workshop, The Mark Taper Forum Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the State Theater in Pretoria, South Africa. Most recently, Miss Finney directed and developed the critically acclaimed world premiere of Citizen: An American Lyric, by the award-winning PEN poet Claudia Rankin. Other recent works index Facing Our Truth: The Trayvon Martin Project at the Kirk Douglas Theatre; The Lark Foundations rolling premier of The Road Weeps, by Marcus Gardley at the Los Angeles Theatre Center; Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Brother/Sisters Plays, Lisa B Thompson’s Single Black Female at the Crossroads Theater; and Company and Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit 67 at the Penumbra Theater. She also helmed the international all South African Opera Winnie based on the life of political icon Winnie Mandela. Miss Finney is the recipient of prestigious award such a SDCF’s 2017 Denham Fellowship for her production of Runaway Home by Jeremy Kamps, the LA Drama Critics Milton Katsleas Distinguished Career Award, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award, The Los Angeles Drama Critics Award, LA Weekly Award, The NAACP and the Santa Barbara Independent awards for her directing work. She was honored with the UCLA Department of Stage Film and Television Distinguished Alumni Award and The Black Alumni Associations Dr. Beverly Robinson Award for Excellence in the Arts. She is an alumnus of the American Film Institute’s Director Workshop for Women, holds an MFA degree from UCLA and is also a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, the Director’s Guild, and the Screen Actor’s Guild.
An alumna of the American Film Institute’s Director Workshop for Women, Finney held an MFA degree from UCLA. She was also a proud member of esteemed organizations like the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, the Director’s Guild, and the Screen Actor’s Guild.
Shirley Jo Finney’s passing leaves a void in the world of theatre, but her legacy as a trailblazer, innovator, and compassionate artist will continue to inspire generations to come. The theatre community mourns a remarkable talent and celebrates a life dedicated to the art of storytelling.
