Jessica Jennings

Jessica Jennings was born and raised in the heart of New York City to mother Jane Culley (actress) and father James Jennings (playwright/director; founder of American Theatre of Actors). Her theatrical debut was at the tender age of two weeks when her father added her to his production of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" as one of Macduff's babes. Around the age of five she signed with New York based management Terrific Talent. She appeared in a number of regional commercials and the national commercial for Teddy Ruxpin. In addition to acting she acquired an interest in dance, gymnastics, violin and figure skating. She pursued dance and earned a Van Lier Scholarship at the Martha Graham Dance Center, scholarship and awards leading to her BFA in dance from The University of the Arts, Philadelphia. Jessica continued to act in Shakespearean productions during summers. In 2003 she landed the film gig, M. Night Shymalan's ?The Village? where she stood in for Bryce Dallas Howard during dance sequences, and had the opportunity to teach the quadrille and other dances to Sygorney Weaver, William Hurt, Cherry Jones, Bryce Dallas Howard, and other leads. Dance brought her to international performances including the Edinburgh Festival and the Etruscan Riviera Festival. With a friend from 2005-2007 she formed Elojes Dance Theatre. As an actor she has performed in over 20 Shakespearean productions, won the Jean Dalrymple Award for her performance as ?Ophelia? in ?Hamlet? and was applauded and reviewed by Mario Fratti. Directing was a natural transition, and in 2010 she embarked on directing, leading with ?A Midsummer Night?s Dream? which won the Jean Dalrymple Award. She followed with directing ?Romeo & Juliet? and earned a nomination to the Princess Grace Foundation. In 2011 she joined Ripple Effect Artists as Board President, bringing social justice theatre to the forefront. Off Broadway: ?Mrs. Zero? in ?The Adding Machine? (2015); ?Ali? in ?She Has a Name? (2017); Director for ?The Green Room? (2019).