Jayne Atkinson Headshot

Jayne Atkinson

Birth Place: Bournemouth, Doret, ENGLAND

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Jayne Atkinson BIO

Jayne Atkinson is an American actress with a long and successful career on stage, television, and film. Born on February 18, 1959, in Binghamton, New York, Atkinson grew up in a family of educators and studied at Northwestern University, where she earned a degree in communications. She then went on to study acting at the Yale School of Drama, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Atkinson began her professional acting career in the theater, making her Broadway debut in the 1985 production of "All My Sons" opposite Richard Kiley and Michael Learned. She continued to work on Broadway throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in productions such as "The Art of Success" (1989), "Ivanov" (1997), and "Enchanted April" (2003), for which she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play.
In addition to her work on stage, Atkinson has also had a successful career in television and film. She made her film debut in the 1987 movie "Satisfaction" and went on to appear in films such as "Free Willy" (1993), "The Village" (2004), and "Syriana" (2005). On television, she has appeared in numerous shows, including "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "24," "Criminal Minds," and "House of Cards," for which she received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.
Despite her success in film and television, Atkinson has remained committed to the theater throughout her career. In 2005, she starred in the Broadway production of "The Rainmaker" opposite Woody Harrelson, and in 2010, she appeared in the Broadway revival of "The Miracle Worker" as Kate Keller, for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.
Most recently, Atkinson has been seen on television in the Netflix series "House of Cards," where she played the role of Secretary of State Catherine Durant from 2013 to 2018. She also appeared in the 2019 film "Blow the Man Down" and the television series "Madam Secretary."

In addition to her work as an actress, Atkinson is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught acting at the Yale School of Drama, the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University. She has also served as a mentor to young actors through the Sundance Institute's Theatre Lab and the Ojai Playwrights Conference.

Jayne Atkinson Photos

Jayne Atkinson STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2024
Helen

[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
Williamstown Theatre Festival Revival, 2017
Lane

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Ruth

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Lotty Wilton

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Mrs. Gibbs

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 1999
Lizzie Curry

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1997
Anna Petrovna

[Broadway]
1989
Voice of Jan

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1987
Ann Deever


Jayne Atkinson Movies

Free Willy
[ 1993 ] Annie
Blank Check
[ 1994 ] Sandra Waters
Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home
[ 1995 ] Annie
The Village
[ 2004 ] Tabitha Walker
12 and Holding
[ 2005 ] Ashley Carges
Syriana
[ 2005 ] Division Chief
Handsome Harry
[ 2009 ] Kelley's Wife
Revenge for Jolly!
[ 2012 ] Receptionist
The Congressman
[ 2016 ] Cey Winship
Baby Ruby
[ 2022 ] Doris

Jayne Atkinson TV Shows

24
Karen Hayes
A Year in the Life
Lindley Gardner Eisenberg
Criminal Minds
Erin Strauss
House of Cards
Catherine Durant
Law & Order
Melanie Carver
Parenthood
Karen Buckman
The Education of Max Bickford
Lyla Ortiz

Jayne Atkinson Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Jayne Atkinson, Enchanted April


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Jayne Atkinson, Enchanted April

Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Jayne Atkinson, Enchanted April

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Jayne Atkinson, The Rainmaker

Drama Desk Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Jayne Atkinson, The Skriker

Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Jayne Atkinson, The Art of Success

Jayne Atkinson Videos

Jayne Atkinson News


Photos: Inside Opening Night of STILL at DR2 Theatre


Colt Coeur is now presenting the New York premiere of STILL by Lia Romeo. Directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, STILL began previews on April 13, for a limited engagement through May 18, 2024, at DR2 Theatre. The production officially opened on April 15. Check out photos here!

Photos: First Look At Jayne Atkinson & Tim Daly In the New York Premiere of STILL


See first look photos of the New York premiere of STILL by Lia Romeo. Directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, STILL runs for a limited engagement through May 18, 2024, at DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street). 

Dorset Theatre Festival Reveals 2024 Season Lineup


Dorset Theatre Festival has announced its 47th Main Stage Summer Season beginning June 21, 2024. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

TRU Community Gathering Via Zoom Amplifying Asian And American-Asian Voices: Meet Leviathan Lab


A dependable haven for artists in isolation, Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is now in its fourth year of non-stop weekly Community Gatherings this Friday, having offered to date nearly 200 conversations and unlimited camaraderie since April 17, 2020.

Westport Country Playhouse to Present Michael Wilson-Helmed THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL Reading


Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of “The Trip to Bountiful'. Learn more about the reading!

BIPOC Stage Managers Can Apply Now For 2024 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarships


BIPOC stage managers can now apply for the 2024 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarships. Recipients of the scholarships receive free registration to the Broadway Stage Management Symposium May 18-19, 2024 presented both Online, in NYC and available On-Demand.

Jayne Atkinson and Tim Daly Will Lead the New York Premiere of STILL Off-Broadway


Colt Coeur announced the New York premiere of STILL by Lia Romeo, beginning this Spring. Learn more about the upcoming show here!

Jeff Cohen's SQUEAKY Will Receive Developmental Readings This Month


As part of its new Building the Box Developmental Reading Series, Out of the Box Theatrics will present readings of SQUEAKY, a poignant autobiographical comedy by Drama Desk Award winner Jeff Cohen.

WAM to Present Musical Trio For Fall Cabaret


WAM Theatre has just announced a thrilling musical trio for their upcoming Fall Cabaret, which will run for 4 nights only. Get all the details about the dates and venue here.

ME AND THE SKY Cabaret Performance Comes to WAM in November


WAM's Fall Cabaret event, Me and The Sky: A Cabaret of Empowering Broadway Hits, will play November 1-4, 2023, at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company. Learn more about the concert and find out how to get tickets here!

Tim Daly and Jayne Atkinson Join STILL at the Dorset Playhouse Next Month


Dorset Theatre Festival has announced full casting for the World Premiere of Still by Lia Romeo, which will begin performances at the Dorset Playhouse on July 21, 2023. 

WAM Theatre Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven to Step Down at the End of 2023


WAM Theatre has announced that Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven will step down from her position in December 2023.

2023 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarships for BIPOC Stage Managers Revealed


BSMS has announced the five stage managers receiving the 2023 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarships for BIPOC stage managers.

2023 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarships For BIPOC Stage Managers Available


Applications are now open for stage managers of color to apply for scholarships to the Broadway Stage Management Symposium (BSMS). In partnership with Broadway Stage Managers, Narda E. Alcorn, Lisa Dawn Cave, Beverly Jenkins, Kenneth J. McGee, & Cody Renard Richard, five scholarships for stage managers of color will be awarded for the annual professional development and networking conference for stage managers.

2023 Broadway Stage Management Symposium to Take Place in May


The 9th annual Broadway Stage Management Symposium will be held on Saturday, May 20th – Sunday, May 21st, 2023 in a truly hybrid event bringing together stage managers in New York City and Online.

WAM Theatre Presents A MisCast Cabaret


Producing Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven, Managing Director Molly Merrihew, and the WAM team will present a special one-night-only benefit cabaret at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, MA. hosted by Tony Award and Drama Desk Nominee Jayne Atkinson (House of Cards, Criminal Minds, Bluff City Law).

Recipients of 2022 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarship For BIPOC Stage Managers Announced


BSMS has announced the five stage managers receiving the 2022 Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarships for BIPOC stage managers and welcome them to the professional development and networking conference made by stage managers, for stage managers, featuring Broadway's stage managers.

Westport Country Playhouse Presents Conversation About OUR TOWN


Participating in the “Our Town at the Playhouse” panel will be Howard Sherman, author; Anne Keefe, current Playhouse associate artist, and former associate artistic director with Joanne Woodward at the time of the Playhouse’s 2002 production of “Our Town”; and Jake Robards, who appeared in the Playhouse production. 

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Renée Fleming, Phillipa Soo, Amanda Seyfried and More Join Williamstown Theatre Festival 2021 Gala


Williamstown Theatre Festival announced today that the 2021 WTF Gala will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 7. The Gala will start at 7:30 PM ET, preceded by an interactive VIP pre-show for event sponsors and virtual table buyers, and will feature musical performances and special appearances from beloved friends of the Festival.

Theater Stories: The Queens of SIX, WAITRESS Box Office Records and More About Brooks Atkinson Theatre


Today's Theater Stories features the Brooks Atkinson Theatre! Learn about the man for whom the theatre is named, how the theatre became a television studio for years, record-breaking hits like Waitress and more!

Jayne Atkinson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jayne Atkinson been in?

Jayne Atkinson has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Jayne Atkinson been in?

Jayne Atkinson has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jayne Atkinson been nominated for?

Jayne Atkinson has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout her career. These nominations include Outstanding Actress - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Enchanted April" and "The Skriker," Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Enchanted April," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for both "Enchanted April" and "The Rainmaker," and Outstanding Featured Actress - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Art of Success."

What awards has Jayne Atkinson won?

Jayne Atkinson has won the Outstanding Actress - Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for "Enchanted April" and the Outstanding Actress in a Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Enchanted April."

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