Biography

Tonia began her illustrious career in acting at the Goodman School of Drama at Depaul University. She has been a company member at Penumbra Theatre Co. for more than twenty-five years and has worked in theaters all over the country including off-Broadway and regional theaters such as the Guthrie Theatre (A Raisin in the Sun), Alliance Theatre (Gem of the Ocean, Nacirema Society), Center Stage, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Horizon Theatre (Informed Consent, And Her Hair Went With Her), True Colors Theatre (Skeleton Crew), Center Stage, Trinity Rep, Mixed Blood and Steppenwolf to name a few. Her T.V. and film credits include Kingdom Business and The Quad on BET, Outer Banks on Netflix, Atlanta on FX, Black Lightning on the CW and Greenleaf on the OWN Network, and more. For over twenty years she has been teaching, coaching, mentoring and guiding up-and-coming talent with the same passion she brings to all her roles. She also co-wrote and performed a one-woman show "Running Dark" with her daughter, writer Alexsis Simmons, through a TCG grant in collaboration with True Colors Theatre. She has been nominated for six Atlantas Suzi Bass Award for best actress, with one win for Best Ensemble.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonia Jackson