About Raiya E. Goodman

Raiya E. Goodman - human, artist, and activist. Being raised in Houston, Texas, Raiya has always had a passion for bigger. Raiya discovered her passion for theatre at the age of 7 through the Ensemble Theatre's Young Performers Program. From there, she started to work professionally at the Ensemble Theatre. Raiya was then able to transition her training to the Humphrey's School of Musical Theatre at Theatre Under the Stars. She was blessed to do work with both HSMT and TUTS during her time there. Once in high school, Raiya had the opportunity to train at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. This was her dream school, so the time and training there was invaluable to her. Raiya now attends the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she is receiving a BFA in Musical Theatre in April 2022.

Some of Raiya's credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), Savage (Kalubi; original cast), Hairspray (Little Inez), and A Raisin in the Sun (Beneatha).

Raiya's passion for the arts extends far beyond the urge for fame and notoriety. "I want to inspire. I want to impact. I want to show little black girls that there is no box for them. I am not a "savior" but a beacon to help forge a better path for black girls and women in media. Of course we deserve better, so I'm doing what I do to help us get it."

Light up your world.