Lynn (Kenny ’02) Richards

Theatre Arts

Biography

Lynn Kenny Richards is a professional stage and screen actor who worked for several years in NYC, where she focused on original theatrical works. She directed projects and originated roles that were later published by Samuel French and Martin Denton’s Plays and Playwrights anthology of new works. Lynn’s film credits include features such as Richard Kelly’s The Box and Judges by Stephen Patrick Walker. Lynn served for several years as one of two Drama Directors at Spring Branch Community Church and as a teacher with Regent Summer Theatre Camps and Theatrix. She was recently seen as Mrs. Cratchit/Ensemble in A Christmas Carol at Virginia Stage Company and as Margot in Tidewater Stage’s production of Frederick Knott’s Dial ‘M’ For Murder. Lynn holds an MFA in Acting from Regent University and a BA in Theatre Arts from Taylor University. She and her husband Jason are Co-Founders of Rich Theatre, an educational theatre company based in Virginia Beach, VA and are the proud parents of three boys.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Learning under Ollie Hubbard, Jessica Rousselow, and Jan Pletcher rank at the top of the list, along with the many theatrical productions! I was also a proud 3rd Gerig girl.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

I consider Ollie Hubbard to have been a major contributor in the direction my life and career took. My sophomore year, the Lord confirmed in me that He was calling me to say yes to the passions and dreams He had put inside me, and that "practicality" and "marketability" were words from the world I did not need to follow. 
The day I went to Ollie's office to ask him to sign off on my becoming a theatre arts major, I went armed with reasons why he should let me; reasons why it would work. I had heard tales of Ollie not allowing students to become theatre majors because it is so hard to make a living in the field. To my surprise, he sat calmly across from me and gently said, "yes" to everything I presented. He seemed a bit confused as to why I was taking him to court! Later that year, during my birthday week, I was awarded a theatre scholarship for my remaining two years—a total surprise (Ollie had not told me he was submitting me for it) and complete confirmation in my following the voice of the Lord.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Listen for the voice of the Lord and be brave enough to follow! Be willing to know what the theatrical conversations are and how to engage in a Christ-like manner, many times with moment-by-moment direction and obedience. The Lord needs rich people. He needs politicians; He needs accountants and scientists. And He needs artistic cultural influencers who are willing to take the narrow road.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Practice saying yes. If you want to extend your training and earn a terminal degree in your field—do it! If you want to move to a bigger artistic pond—jump. If you want to stay where you are and wait for a rhema word, follow peace. I've found that saying "yes" to opportunities while shrugging off the fear of "getting stuck" has created a diverse portfolio and kept me in the posture of trusting that He works all things for good and doesn't waste any experience.