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Jennifer Ashley Tepper

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Jennifer Ashley Tepper BIO

Jennifer Ashley Tepper is producer of the musicals Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, and Love In Hate Nation. She is also the Creative and Programming Director at Feinstein's/54 Below, and the author of The Untold Stories of Broadway book series. She is the creator of The Jonathan Larson Project and historian consultant on the upcoming film version of tick, tick...BOOM! Tepper was recently named recipient of a 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award.

As the leader of Feinstein's/54 Below's creative programming team, Tepper is responsible for programming every show at the Broadway supper club and concert venue. She has curated and overseen the production of over 3500 shows, ranging from musicals in concert, to original solo acts, to theatrical reunions, to songwriter celebrations, and beyond. Feinstein's/54 Below has become notable for being the only venue of its kind: presenting over a dozen shows every week, specializing in Broadway acts, and welcoming both traditional cabaret and innovative new work. Tepper's leadership has been instrumental in making the locale "Broadway's Living Room", where on any given night one can find Broadway's biggest stars and emerging talents side by side, creating and sharing new work in an intimate theatrical environment.

Tepper's producing work on original ventures at the venue has gained praise from publications including The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Buzzfeed, Playbill, Newsday, the New York Post, and more. From Hit List (the live concert version of the fictional musical from NBC's Smash) to Smile: A Broadway Reunion Concert to her collaborations with musical theatre writers both established and emerging, Tepper has, according to Theatermania, "brought her encyclopedic knowledge and typical gusto to the venue, knowing just what musical theatre enthusiasts are looking for."

On Broadway, Tepper has worked on shows in directing, producing, and marketing capacities, including [title of show], The Performers, the 2011 revival of Godspell, and the 2013 revival of Macbeth. She has also worked at off-Broadway and regional theaters, including Second Stage Theatre, Ars Nova, The York Theatre, Weston Playhouse, and Goodspeed. Other credits include projects, shows, and educational initiatives with The National Alliance for Musical Theatre, The Producing Office, PBS, The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, TEDx Broadway, The Dramatists Guild, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, the New York Public Library, The Actors Fund, New York City Center, the Broadway Green Alliance, the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and New York University, where Tepper is a proud graduate. Tepper has worked as the Managing Editor of The Best Plays Theatre Yearbook, and is currently on the Artists Board for the Encores Off-Center series. She is a freelance contributor to Playbill, BroadwayWorld, Theatermania, and Backstage. As an educator, she has been involved with Florida Thespians, New York Thespians, Texas' Joci Awards, and the St. Louis Cabaret Convention, and given master classes at several universities and high schools. She is a consultant for BroadwayCon.

Tepper is the co-creator of the Bistro Award-winning concert series, If It Only Even Runs A Minute, now in its 7th year. ...Runs A Minute celebrates short-lived Broadway and off-Broadway musicals in concerts that feature photos and research as well as songs. Each concert also boasts original cast members and writers telling stories, as well as songs that have never been recorded. The series thus far has comprised over 250 performers and over 200 'under-appreciated' shows. AM New York has called the series: "Artistically compelling... displays the blood, guts, sweat and tears that go into making Broadway shows."

Her most recent contribution to the concert world is The Jonathan Larson Project, an evening of the RENT composer’s unheard work. After years of research at the Library of Congress, Tepper curated a show featuring songs from Larson’s never-produced shows like 1984 and Superbia, songs that were cut from RENT and tick tick BOOM, songs that had never been heard before. After a celebrated twelve-performance run at Feinstein’s/54 Below, the show was forever immortalized by Ghostlight Records.

Tepper has collaborated for almost a decade on musicals, concerts and other projects with the group known as Joe Iconis & Family, who recently won a rave New York Times review and a MAC Award nomination for their work. In addition to producing Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, and Love In Hate Nation, she has worked in various capacities on his other shows including the Drama Desk-nominated Bloodsong of Love.

The New York Times recently announced her project coming to Greenwich House Theater this summer, “Emboldened by Be More Chill, which is selling well in early previews, Ms. Tepper is planning this week to announce a commercial Off Broadway production of another Iconis show, Broadway Bounty Hunter, about an out-of-work actor who finds a job hunting criminals. It stars Annie Golden, who, although more than a generation older than Mr. Iconis and his college friends, is one of his most loyal collaborators.”

As a writer, Tepper has authored three volumes of The Untold Stories of Broadway series, published by Dress Circle. For these books, Tepper interviewed 250 theatre professionals about the Broadway theaters themselves and their stories of working in each house. The books cover over 70 years of our theatrical history, shared through first-hand interviews with Broadway professionals who were there. The Untold Stories of Broadway books comprise stories with actors, producers, directors, writers, designers, stagehands, door men and women, musicians, house managers, press agents, ushers, and many more. Interspersed with interviewees' stories are Tepper's own tales and discoveries about each historic building. The Untold Stories of Broadway partners with a charitable organization that receives proceeds from each volume, and is currently partnered with Broadway Impact, the Theatre Development Fund, and the Broadway Green Alliance. Published in 2013, 2014, and 2016, each book has occupied the #1 spot on Amazon.com's Best Sellers List in Broadway & Musicals. NBC New York has called the books an 'inspiring Must-Read'.

Tepper was recently named one of the 10 professionals on Backstage Magazine's "1st Annual Broadway Future Power List", alongside Alex Timbers and Leigh Silverman. According to the article: "Proving herself both a zeitgeist predictor and theatrical historian with her eclectic programming, Tepper is leading the conversation on contemporary musical theatre."

Jennifer Ashley Tepper Photos

Jennifer Ashley Tepper STAGE CREDITS

Jennifer Ashley Tepper Productions

 
[Broadway, 2019]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Associate Producer

Jennifer Ashley Tepper Videos

Jennifer Ashley Tepper News

A TRIBUTE TO HOWARD ASHMAN AND ALAN MENKEN Announced At 54 Below

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents A Tribute to Howard Ashman and Alan Menken on July 2 and 3. Celebrate the rhymes and rhythms of Ashman and Menken, the composer and lyricist duo responsible for the soundtrack to millions of childhood dreams (and thrills!).

Karen Ziemba, Lee Roy Reams and Erin Davie Join WONDERFUL TOWN At 54 Below

Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba (Steel Pier), Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street), and Broadway favorite Erin Davie (Diana) have been added to 54 Sings Wonderful Town: The 70th Anniversary Concert at 54 Below on Wednesday, June 21st at 9:30pm.

54 Below to Present 54 SINGS 2000S TV TOP BOPS in July

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, will present 54 Sings 2000s TV Top Bops on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 9:30pm. Dreaming of the Disney Channel days? Nostalgic for Nickelodeon? Join us at 54 Below for the ultimate challenge of the channels. Live the 'Suite Life of Hannah Montana,' 'SpongeBob,' 'Victorious,' 'Lemonade Mouth,' and so much more. In the words of Camp Rock, 'It's On!'

Photos: On the Red Carpet for BroadwayWorld's 20th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday night was a very special occasion here at BroadwayWorld. The best of Broadway gathered at Sony Hall to celebrate a huge milestone- our 20th Anniversary! The concert event benefitted Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Check out photos from the red carpet!

The Untold History of Sony Hall - Home of BroadwayWorld's 20th Anniversary Concert

In this special edition of Broadway Deep Dive, Tepper uncovers the untold history of Sony Hall- where BroadwayWorld will celebrate our 20th Anniversary with a star-studded concert event on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

What Is the History of Shubert Alley?

This month on Broadway Deep Dive, the reader question was: What is the history of Shubert Alley?

Humans Of New York Inspiration DETRA THOMAS Will Make 54 Below Debut May 18th

Detra Thomas, the former Baptist pastor’s wife, whose story of strength and triumph was featured in Humans of New York in 2022, is making her 54 Below concert debut!

54 SINGS FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD to Return for Pride Month Kickoff Concert

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present 54 SINGS FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD, a benefit for Planned Parnethood’s Action Fund, on Thursday June 8th at 9:30pm.

Wake Up With BWW 5/8: Lucille Lortel Award Winners, Plus a Message From Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Top stories: Find out who took home Lucille Lortel Awards, plus watch an exclusive video message from Lin-Manuel Miranda!

When Musicals Reference Musicals

This month, the reader question was: I’ve heard Shucked parodies a lot of musical tropes w/ references to Oklahoma!, The Music Man, etc… We’ve seen that a lot on Broadway lately - Something Rotten, Mean Girls, Bad Cinderella, Be More Chill, etc… It seems to be becoming more and more popular - when did it start, why do audiences love it?

54 Below To Present 54 SINGS REGINA SPEKTOR: OFF THE RADIO

'You've Got Time' to join us at 54 Below as we pay tribute to the queen of indie-pop herself, Regina Spektor. Follow us, ballad by ballad as we explore the grammy nominated lyrics and poetry of one of our generations greatest singer/songwriters.

Tom McGuire to Make 54 Below Debut in May

54 Below will present Bronx born, but Brussels based jazz crooner Tom McGuire in a special one night only performance of his critically acclaimed solo show, A BRONX ACCENT FROM BRUSSELS.

Wake Up With BWW 4/24: PRIMA FACIE Reviews and Photos, Plus a Message From Mike Birbiglia!

Top stories: Read the reviews and check out all new photos from Prima Facie, plus watch an exclusive video message from Mike Birbiglia in honor of BroadwayWorld's 20th anniversary!

Ari Afsar, Asmeret Ghebremichael & More to Star in JEANETTE: THE MUSICAL at 54 Below

54 BELOW will present Jeannette: The Musical on May 17, 2023 at 9:30pm.

Phoenix Best, Marilyn Caserta & More to Star in CYCLES at 54 Below

join CYCLES: The Music of Melissa Rose Hirsch will be presented at 54 Below on June 9, 2023, at 9:30pm. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

THE MUSIC OF BELLA FAYE & FRIENDS is Coming to 54 Below This Month

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present THE MUSIC OF BELLA FAYE & FRIENDS APRIL 26th @9:30PM.

Major Attaway, Carmen Ruby Floyd & More to Star in SHUFFLE ALONG Celebration at 54 Below

54 BELOW has announced that Noble Sissle, Jr. will host the show celebrating his father’s work on May 22 at 7:00pm & 9:30pm.

PRONOUN SHOWDOWN, Charles Busch, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

Brenda Braxton to Bring STARS TONIGHT! to 54 Below for Three Performances

54 BELOW will welcome Broadway powerhouse Brenda Braxton in a new series, Stars Tonight! on July 9, August 1, and September 3 at 7:00pm.

A History of Broadway's Lost Theatres

This month, the reader question was: Which Broadway theaters have been demolished/repurposed and when/why?

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