Additionally, he is the co-founder and former artistic director of Teatro Vista, a Latino Theatre company in Chicago.
[2] Godinez was born on August 4, 1958, in Havana, Cuba, the ninth of ten children in a middle class family.
Playing the role of Stefano in one of his college productions of The Tempest is what made Godinez fall in love with Shakespeare.
After growing up with predominantly white friends and living in an area where racism wasn't uncommon, being in Logan Square put him in a largely Cuban and Puerto Rican environment.
That, coupled with the frustration of the stereotypical casting of Latino actors as drug dealers, led him to want to work to make a change.
[4] He is currently serving at Northwestern University (2006–present) where he teaches courses in acting and other special topics, such as Latino Theatre and Advanced Shakespeare.
[2] During the summer of 2016, Godinez led a Northwestern study abroad program to Havana, Cuba, during which students were able to collaborate with renowned theatre company Teatro Buendía to gain an understanding of the style of Cuban theatre and storytelling, and foster new connections between Cuba and the United States.
While part of the cast of a show at the Goodman Theatre, Godinez was talking with two castmates, Ramiro Carillo and Edward Torres, about all of the plays by Latino playwrights that were not being produced.
[4] In addition to Teatro Vista, Godinez has served on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Albany Park Theatre Project, and the Northwestern University Press.
[2] Godinez's Goodman Theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet (1988), A Christmas Carol (1988),[7] The Rover (1989),[8] Massacre (Sing to your Children) (2007),[4] 2666 (2016)[2], and a co-production of Pedro Páramo (2013) with Teatro Buendía.
At the Goodman Theatre alone Godinez has directed Cloud Tectonics (1995) in co-production with Teatro Vista; six of the annual productions of A Christmas Carol (1996 - 2001); Straight as a Line (1998); Millennium Mambo (2000); Zoot Suit (2000); Electricidad (2004); Mariela in the Desert (2005); The Cook (2007); Boleros for the Disenchanted (2009), which he also directed in its world premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre; The Sins of Sor Juana (2010);[2] and Feathers and Teeth (2015).