TESTIMONIALS
At the 2025 American Theatre Wing Gala Celebrating Unsung Heroes in the Theatre, Tony Award winner Francis Jue honored Linda Goodrich. Stars including Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Sara Bareilles, Shoshana Bean, Andre Shields, Krysta Rodriguez, Jennifer Simard and Myles Frost also honored their unsung heroes in song tributes.
“In just two weeks she gave me a lifetime of inspiration.” Linda wanted a big tap number for the Emcee and Francis said he didn’t know how to tap, so “half an hour before every rehearsal she gave me a tap lesson.” He said “no one had treated me as a real collaborator before … Linda challenged me to acknowledge my own point of view.”
Francis Jue • Tony Award Winning Broadway Actor
Yellow Face (HYH and Others), Pacific Overtures,
Thoroughly Modern Millie, M Butterfly
“For over a decade of my professional career, Linda Goodrich has fostered in me both a love for acting and a respect for the craft as an educator, director, and acting coach. I can confidently say that I would not have the tools to approach new work without her continued guidance and support.”
Ryan Vasquez • Broadway and National Tour Star
Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton), Waitress, Wicked
Originated principal roles in The Notebook, The Outsiders and The Wrong Man
“Her teaching style is honest and playful. She allows you to grow in confidence and technique by giving you the freedom to explore. The tools she’s given me have become an integral part of my process. She has this magical ability to meet you right where you are, allow you to find confidence in authenticity, and then give you tools to grow from that place. She never let me quit on myself, and I’ll always be grateful to her for that.”
Alyah Chanelle Scott • Television
and National Tour Star
"The Sex Lives Of College Girls" (Whitney Chase), The Book of Mormon (Nabulungi)
“Linda Goodrich is a master at keying into a person’s individual strengths, potential, habits, and natural abilities. She is then able to challenge you specifically in ways to make your process of learning a transformative and enjoyable one. A person who is innately empathetic and supportive of your journey, personally and creatively, makes her a remarkable teacher. I just love her.”
Marina Kondo • Broadway and National Tour Star
KPOP (MwE u/s & Asst. Dance Captain),
Frozen (Anna u/s), The King and I (Lady Thiang and Tuptim u/s)
“I was fortunate enough to take Linda’s Performance Class. She taught me how to be myself and analyze a character, guiding me toward innovative, interesting choices . The class offered a safe space for me to fail and learn and I will always be eternally grateful for that. Linda has a profound commitment to her students both inside and outside the classroom.”
Lee Alexander • National Tour of Jagged Little Pill
“Her knowledge of story-telling is boundless. Her approach to scene work is equal parts intelligent and creative. Her direction is always in search of the truth, and she has limitless ideas of how to get there. She is encouraging, supportive and fun-loving and she cultivates a safe space for honesty, vulnerability and deep-level connection.”
Desi Oakley • Broadway and National Tour Star
Waitress (Jenna), Chicago (Roxie Hart),
Wicked (Elphaba u/s and Nessarose u/s),
Les Misérables (Fantine)
“I’ve had the privilege to be directed and choreographed by Linda multiple times and I can only hope for many more. She spearheads a production in a manner that allows performers to take risks without judgement because she possesses the kindness, intelligence, and skill that leads to fostering fully dimensional, truthful performances.”
Matt Loehr • Broadway and National Tour Star
The Book of Mormon (Elder McKinley), Beautiful (Don Kirshner), Elf, Evita, Mary Poppins, The Producers, Fosse, Movin’ Out, Cats
Since meeting him as a faculty member when he was a student at the University of Michigan School for Music, Theatre, and Dance, Linda Goodrich found a lifelong friend in the late Broadway Tony and Olivier Award-winning star Gavin Creel. Following his graduation, Linda had the honor of working with Gavin on two of his original musical theatre projects, Walk On Through and Loud Nite.
He had a profound, extraordinary impact on her life. Years before his passing, he generously offered these kind words.
“Linda has the unique ability to draw out exactly what is needed from a scene, a moment or a performer without anything ever feeling forced. she asks questions, she leads with grace, and has a willingness to explore and play that is boundless.”
Gavin Creel • Tony and Oliver Award Winning Actor
Into The Woods (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince),
HAIR (Claude), Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius),
The Book of Mormon (Elder Price)