Jenny Tibbels

Professor Jenny Tibbels serves as the Director of Theater at Eastern University, where she emphasizes storytelling through character focus and integrates faith with artistic expression. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Columbia University. Her 23-year career includes transitions from acting to directing and teaching, driven by a desire to shape larger theatrical narratives. She advocates for emotional authenticity in performances, believing art reflects divine creativity.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Theater, Eastern University
• Master of Fine Arts in Acting, Columbia University

Research/Teaching Focus: Professor Tibbels prioritizes character immersion, collaborative production elements (lighting, costume design), and the intersection of faith with artistic processes. She leads initiatives like Eastern’s first original musical inspired by Luke 24 and directs absurdist works such as Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros.

Awards/Recognition: None explicitly listed, but her impact on students and the theater program is highlighted.

Advising & Leadership: As director, she mentors students through productions and curricular activities like Actors’ Lab, fostering growth through improvisation and collaborative storytelling. No specific grants mentioned, but her vision revitalized the theater program during transitions.

Labs/Teams: Oversees Eastern’s theater department productions, coordinating with music and dance departments for interdisciplinary projects.