Georgia Powell Buchanan, 72, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024 in Livingston, surrounded by her loving family.
Visiting will be held on Saturday, February 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona. Due to health reasons NO FLOWERS will be accepted.
Born and raised in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Georgia lived in a variety of locations with her family as a result of her father being a naval commander. She ultimately moved to Verona in 2000. She was a graduate of Annandale High School in Virginia, Vassar College, the National Theatre Institute, the Producers’ Network and the Commercial Theatre Institute. Georgia trained with Uta Hagen, Joan Matthiessen, Austin Pendleton, Mercedes Ruehl and Jessica Hecht; and vocally with Susan Baum.
Having attended nine schools in 12 years during her formative years, Georgia learned how to adapt to new situations with grace and humor, which served her well as she pursued a career in theatre. As a young leading lady, she played numerous roles in New York City and regional theatre. Georgia was a founding member of Spectrum Stage Company, a not-for-profit theater company dedicated to the one-act play and she served as its producing director for six years.
Georgia served as general manager of The York Theatre Company from 2013 to 2015, and prior to that was managing director of the National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene for five years. She also served as managing director of Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey and the Women’s Project and Productions in New York City. Georgia was general manager for the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and Irondale Ensemble Project. In commercial theatre, she was associate producer of “Kat and the Kings” at the Cort Theatre on Broadway and “The Springhill Singing Disaster” at Playwrights Horizons; and co-produced its move Off-Broadway to the 47th Street Theatre. Georgia was a producer of “The Dice House” at the Arts Theatre in London and associate producer of “A Tale of Two Pizzas,” a feature film by Vincent Sassone.
In recent years, she returned to the stage as a member of the ensemble in “70, Girls, 70,” Margaret Garrison in “I Never Sang for My Father,” Mildred in “The Cemetery Club” and the Manager in “Offal Endings.” On television, she appeared as Kim Belcher in the HBO Original movie “Paterno,” directed by Barry Levinson; and has had co-star appearances in “Ramy,” “New Amsterdam,” “Hello Tomorrow!,” “The Equalizer” and “FBI: Most Wanted.” On film, she has appeared as Harriet the tourist in “The Stand-In,” Sharon in “Adopting Audrey” and Janet Pike in “The God Committee.”
She was a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA.
In her leisure time, Georgia could be found watching the New York Rangers, her favorite hockey team and enjoying the latest British television programming. Her favorite company in front of the TV was her pet cat, Missy.
Georgia was predeceased by her parents, Commander Alvin J. Buchanan, USN, ret. and Virginia Custer Smith Buchanan.
She is survived by her husband, Robert A. Morse; son, Patrick Morse; and sisters, Alice Meredith and Virginia Rountree, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Donations in her memory to HB Studio, Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund) or the Vassar Fund would be appreciated.
Condolences and memories may be left on Georgia’s obituary page at www.proutfuneralhome.com.
