معرفی
Jenna Elser is an Assistant Professor of Theatre in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Converse University, where she contributes to the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a nationally recognized stage director and co-founder of Glow Lyric Theatre, dedicated to producing opera, operetta, and musical theatre in response to pressing social and political issues in South Carolina and beyond.
Educational Background:
- B.A. in Musical Theatre with a concentration in Women's Studies – University of Tulsa
- M.F.A. in Stage Direction – Florida State University
Jenna’s research and artistic practice centers on lyric theatre as a vehicle for social change. Her work spans classical repertoire, contemporary musicals, and original devised pieces that confront gun violence, LGBTQ+ trauma, and systemic injustice. She blends performance with activism, particularly through projects like Armed and Pulse, which respond directly to national tragedies.
Her recent directing portfolio reflects a strong engagement with both youth and adult audiences across the Southeast, including productions of West Side Story, Spring Awakening, and Guys and Dolls, showcasing a thematic focus on identity, conflict, and emotional authenticity.
Scientific and Artistic Awards:
- American Prize in Directing
- Robert Porterfield Directing Award
- Finalist, Drama League New Musicals Fellowship
- Suzi Bass Award Best Direction Nominee
- 2021 Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Observership Program
- Named one of South Carolina’s Best and Brightest 35 and under by Greenville Business Magazine
Jenna advises emerging theatre artists through her academic and professional roles. While no formal grants are listed, her leadership in Glow Lyric Theatre and AnamCara Theatre demonstrates sustained project-based funding and collaborative initiative. Her work integrates teaching, directing, and community engagement, forming a cohesive scholarly-creative trajectory.
She is actively involved in professional theatre networks and maintains a presence as a freelance director across the Southeast, contributing to institutions such as Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre, The Warehouse Theatre, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, and Northern Arizona University.
