Teddy Vincent was born, Theodora Ann Johnson in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She began her stage career in the United Brethern Church at age 4 reciting poetry for Special Occasions. The family moved to Adamsville, Florida just in time for her 10th birthday. She began singing solos in various churches throughout the area shortly after and at 13 she won the Miss Alafia Beauty contest in Gibsonton, Florida. Then she went on to compete in various contests winning local, district and state titles. The high points of her teen age years was singing in the bandshell on Daytona Beach and the Pier in St. Petersburg. After graduating from Wimauma High School Teddy enrolled at the University of Tampa double majoring in Radio/Theatre and Elementary Education. She studied acting with Gloria Link and Ernie Vincent and was named Best Female Performer of 1957 for her work as "Antigone". For the next several years she worked in local Radio (WDAE) and Television (WTVT) on the air (DJ, commercials) and in the office (continuity). Teddy married her major professor, Ernie Vincent, in 1958 and moved with him to the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Lafayette was a lovely place to raise their 5 children. She finished an MA in bilingual education and taught in the public school system 23 years. Teddy also worked in radio, TV and film and with local and regional theaters winning Best Actress awards in '87, '88, '89. She was instrumental in the development of several Louisiana Theatre groups, Acadiana Public Access Television and Children's Creative Dramatics Programs for the Acadiana Arts Council and the public School System. She served on the Louisiana State and local Arts Council Grants committees. She helped develop the first French Bilingual program in Louisiana, wrote the beginning Transition program for at risk 6 year olds for the Lafayette Parish School System and tutored Adults in Language Arts for the oil companies. In 1985 she won the state theatre competition as actor and took "Porch" to Tulsa for the regional competition. Teddy worked with the Moving South Dance Company teaching improve and served on their board. She taught creative dramatics for the Acadiana Arts Council during the summers and for the Lafayette Parish After School Program during the school year. Beginning in 1987 she worked with the Storyville Theatre Company in Lafayette and New Orleans and the writers program at the Contempory Arts Center in New Orleans acting in original works by Jackie Bullock. During this period there were also professional jobs, several films, regional industrials, many local and regional commercials for TV, Radio and Print. She was on the road with a cabaret act, "An Evening of Broadway" in 1990. In 1991 Teddy retired from her day job with the Lafayette Parish Schools. She and Ernie moved to Los Angeles where they could pursue a career in television and film. |