The Fern Shakespeare Company

Jennifer is pleased to announce she has been invited to join the 2017 Acting Company of The Fern Shakespeare Company. 

As a member of The Fern, she will be performing with the rest of the company in the upcoming production of Macbeth opening in Seattle, WA in May 2017. Stay tuned for more show details!  

A bit about The Fern from their website:  

The mission of The Fern Shakespeare Company is to promote cultural diversity and to strengthen and serve our community through performance and education.

Using original practice and direct address techniques as our guide, Fern Shakespeare Company (FSC) “breaks down the walls” that stand between the audience and the words of William Shakespeare.  

FSC produces work that connects audience to actor, actor to text, and community to art. We extend this vision to all that we do; serving our community and changing lives through the beauty of Shakespeare.

The Fern Theatre Company was founded in Atlanta, GA by two actors; Jessica Hunt and Douglas Graham.  We began producing modern and new plays, and in 2012 produced our very first Shakespeare play. The Fern produced an all female production of Macbeth. This led to the development of our Classically female series. Since 2012 we have produced three more all female Shakespeare plays; Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and King Lear. In the summer of 2016 the decision was made to move the company to Seattle, WA and turn our focus specifically towards producing Shakespeare. Thus, The Fern Shakespeare Company was born!

American Academy of Dramatic Arts Workshop & Info Night

I'm excited to report I'll be speaking on the alumni panel for the American Academy Of Dramatic Arts (AADA) Workshop and Info Night this Saturday in Seattle, WA! If you are interested in theatre and becoming an actor I encourage you to attend the workshop (run by Mark Knowles, AADA LA Faculty and a former teacher of mine) and join us to learn more about the school and its programs.

AADA was an integral part of my education in the performing arts and in the development of my acting technique and work ethic. It's definitely worth exploring.

The evening is open to prospective students as well as parents and educators. I hope to see you there!

You can learn more about AADA on their website: https://www.aada.edu/

Island Shakespeare Festival 2016

Thank you to all who made the 2016 season at Island Shakespeare Festival a success! The summer is over, and we had an amazing three months working and playing together.  

A SOLD OUT performance of Jane Eyre. Photo courtesy Rose Woods.

The audiences seemed to have a great time, too: 

"I was treated to one of the best acted & well produced plays I have ever been privileged to watch. I was simply transported..."
 

"We just returned from a spectacular evening of Jane Eyre. I cannot even put into words how incredible it was. The cast was world class, better than most I have seen on Broadway. I could not have imagined that a such magnificent performance could be experienced on our little island."
 

"Magnificent performances in As You Like It on August 5. Lovely setting, too. Would definitely see more plays if I'd been on the island for longer."
 

"Amazing job. I took my bros to see 'Julius Caesar' tonight and we all enjoyed it so much. Great performance."

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Julius Caesar
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Corey D. McDaniel

Production photos courtesy of Michael Stadler.

As You Like It
Writted by William Shakespeare
Directed by Susannah Rose Woods

Jane Eyre
Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë
Adapted and Directed by Julie Beckman

Island Shakespeare Festival

ISF's outdoor stage setting.
© Susannah Woods

Jennifer is thrilled to be performing this summer as a 2016 Company Member of Island Shakespeare Festival!

This year's main stage plays are: 

As You Like It directed by Susannah Rose Woods

Julius Caesar directed by Corey D. McDaniel

Jane Eyre adapted and directed by Julie Beckman
 

Some of Jennifer's roles include Audrey in As You Like It, Portia in Julius Caesar, and Blanche Ingram in Jane Eyre. 

All shows are performed in repertory July 8th through September 11th, 2016. 

Located in beautiful Langley on Whidbey Island, WA. 

From ISF's Company Statement: 

Island Shakespeare Festival believes that art should be for everyone regardless of the ability to pay. In the age-old tradition of free Shakespeare, such gatherings of audience and artists add immeasurably to the quality of life in the community, bringing the classical texts alive with passionate performances, live music, innovative staging, and choreography. The classics remain classic because they express the humanity that exists across boarders and generations. They are part of civilization.

For more information about the company and 2016 season please go to Island Shakespeare Festival's website.

The Nerd

Thanks to everyone who attended our run at Mount Baker Theatre! 

From reviewer Christopher Key: 

There is no doubt that The Nerd is funny and there was no doubt that the opening night audience loved it.  Director Corey D. McDaniel obviously loves Shue’s work and knows how to handle it: balls to the wall, no holds barred and over the top is not far enough.
 

The cast gives it their all and then some.  The energy they pour into this production would wean the world off fossil fuels if it could be tapped.  Frankly, I was exhausted just watching them.
 

Tansy, is about to realize her dream of becoming a weather girl in the nation’s capital, leaving him in Terre Haute.  Rep veteran Jennifer A. Ewing not only looks like a warm front, but is the only character in the play to maintain any shred of dignity.  

Christopher Key, IMHO: Performing Arts Reviews from the Northwest, Feb 12 2016

Directed by Corey D. McDaniel

The Nerd ran Fri. Feb 12th, 2016 7:30 PM - Sun. Feb 28th, 2016 3:00 PM at Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham, WA as part of their MBT Rep program. 

From MBT: 

One of the funniest plays ever written, this extraordinarily inventive, sidesplitting comedy sees an ex-GI beset by a visitor who outstays his welcome with a vengeance.

Now an aspiring young architect in Indiana, Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life in Vietnam. Having written to his savior and offering to repay him in any way possible, Willum is overjoyed when Rick shows up unexpectedly on the night of his thirty fourth birthday. However, his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd”—a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence, and less tact. As Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leads to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating drastic measures.

 

“…the audience almost never stops laughing, handkerchiefs wiping away tears of merriment…” –Variety

 

“…a spring tonic of side-bruising laughter…” – The Milwaukee Tribune

Photo by Damian Vines Photography

Photo by Damian Vines Photography