Multi-Hyphenate Talent Germôna Sharp Expands Repertoire with Writing, Directorial Debuts

Charlotte-based actor, singer and dancer takes on new roles as playwright and director

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:07am

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Germôna Sharp, a Charlotte-based actor, singer and dancer, has recently expanded her repertoire with writing and directing projects, showing a willingness to explore diverse genres and styles. Her futuristic play 'The Great Maximillian' will receive staged readings during the BOOM Charlotte arts festival, while her period drama 'Runnin' Wild' debuted with a dramatized reading at Charlotte Off Broadway's black box theater. Sharp remains active as a performer, recently cast in Theatre Charlotte's production of the musical 'The Color Purple'.

Why it matters

Sharp's artistic versatility and ambition to take on new creative challenges highlight the vibrant performing arts scene in Charlotte, where actors, writers, and directors are finding opportunities to showcase their talents. However, the supportive local community can also lead to insularity, as producers and directors tend to reuse the same pool of talent. Sharp's decision to write and direct her own work demonstrates her drive to create new opportunities for herself and push the boundaries of her craft.

The details

Sharp's two new projects, 'The Great Maximillian' and 'Runnin' Wild,' showcase her range as a writer. 'The Great Maximillian' is a futuristic children's story about a young Black boy who is transported to a strange new world, while 'Runnin' Wild' is a period drama about the life of real-life multi-hyphenate performer Joyce Bryant. Sharp wrote 'Runnin' Wild' after being met with silence when she approached local theatre companies about directing shows, creating her own opportunity to direct a play she wrote herself.

  • The Great Maximillian will receive staged readings during the BOOM Charlotte arts festival in University City in May.
  • Runnin' Wild debuted on March 28 with a dramatized reading at Charlotte Off Broadway's black box theater in Uptown's VAPA Center.
  • Sharp is currently cast in Theatre Charlotte's production of the musical The Color Purple, which goes up on May 8 at the Queens Road Barn.

The players

Germôna Sharp

A Charlotte-based actor, singer, dancer, writer, and director who has recently expanded her repertoire to include new writing and directing projects, in addition to her ongoing work as a performer.

Joyce Bryant

A real-life multi-hyphenate performer in the 1950s who was known for her four-octave range, bold stage presence, glamorous gowns, and distinctive short, silver hair. She was the inspiration for Sharp's play Runnin' Wild.

Trinity Taylor

An actress and singer who made her debut as assistant director on Runnin' Wild after meeting Sharp when they were both in the cast for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Matthews Playhouse.

Roman Lawrence

A Charlotte actor who met Sharp in 2018 and reconnected with her while performing in Beautiful at Matthews Playhouse. In Runnin' Wild, Lawrence portrays piano player Eddie, Bryant's confidant and accompanist.

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What they’re saying

“Germôna's honest [and] passionate. She is always striving for excellence, and I think that she expects that of the people around her as well.”

— Trinity Taylor, Actress and singer

“Germôna's also a bit of a perfectionist. The work she does is meticulous and to the point.”

— Roman Lawrence, Charlotte actor

What’s next

The Great Maximillian will receive staged readings during the BOOM Charlotte arts festival in May, giving audiences a chance to see Sharp's futuristic vision come to life on stage.

The takeaway

Germôna Sharp's artistic versatility and ambition to take on new creative challenges, including writing and directing, highlight the vibrant performing arts scene in Charlotte. However, the supportive local community can also lead to insularity, as producers and directors tend to reuse the same pool of talent. Sharp's decision to create her own opportunities demonstrates her drive to push the boundaries of her craft and inspire the next generation of diverse artists.