معرفی
Jennifer Ross Nostrala is a Professor of Theatre Arts at Simpson College, where she also serves as Director of Women and Gender Studies and Director of Simpson Productions. She has over twenty-five years of experience in teaching and directing theatre at the collegiate level.
Her educational background includes:
- M.F.A. in Directing, The University of Texas at Austin (1988)
- B.A. in Theatre Arts and Art, Simpson College (1985)
Her research and teaching interests are centered in theatre directing, playwriting, acting, and script analysis, with a strong emphasis on women and gender studies and community-based performance. She developed a May Term course titled Agents of Change: Creating Change in the Community Through Performance, which engages students in creating performances around contemporary social issues such as sexual harassment and assault.
Jennifer has received multiple recognitions for her artistic and academic contributions, including awards from KCACTF and grants from the Iowa Arts Council. Her leadership and mentorship are reflected in her campus roles and student-centered initiatives.
- Commendation for Directing and Choreography, Lysistrata Jones, KCACTF (2013)
- Commendation for Devised Work, Alice’s Trip, KCACTF (2012)
- Iowa Arts Council Grant for Fat Pig (2010)
- Commendation for Directing, Back Story, KCACTF (2009)
- Faculty Award for Campus Leadership, Simpson College (2008)
- Commendation for Directing, One Flea Spare, KCACTF (2006)
- Distinguished Teacher Award, Simpson College (2003)
- Iowa Arts Council Grant for travel to LaMama Umbria workshop, Italy (2001)
- Distinguished Junior Faculty Award, Simpson College (1998)
She actively mentors students through her teaching and directing, integrating experiential learning and social justice themes. Jennifer has led numerous theatrical productions at Simpson College and with regional theatre companies, contributing to both academic and community arts engagement. She is also involved in programs related to violence prevention and campus leadership.
She has directed productions such as Machinal (2021), Prospera’s Island (2020), The Magic Flute (2019), and Kiss Me, Kate (2019) at Simpson College. She has also directed for Iowa Stage Theatre Company, StageWest, Winterset Stage, Des Moines Social Club, and The Vortex in Austin, demonstrating a broad professional reach. She leads the Simpson Productions team and integrates student involvement in all aspects of production.
