I am a DC-based straight play actress who finds joy in the musicality of language. I came to the theater late and in a roundabout way. Having followed my dream into a career in labor rights and the public policy of workplace mental health, I have also been a hobbyist musician my entire life playing violin, ajaeng, and lute in various orchestras including, currently, The Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra. When I was 22, I was unexpectedly thrown on stage as a favor to the theater department from the music department--I had never appeared in a middle school show, a high school show, a local show, but I was seized by the realization that this was the perfect mode of artistic expression to complement my love of instruments. I was able to start taking acting classes using generous DC scholarship funds as a new college graduate, then auditioning while living in Connecticut, and it has been a 6 year roller coaster of acting experiences ever since!
I think one of my strengths as an actress actually comes from the fact that I missed out on a formative childhood theater education. I approach material without a pure acting philosophy. I try many different techniques and I let myself be directed. I approach theater with the same passion and feeling for rhythm and tone in speaking as I do music. The rhythm and timing of comedy is my particular strength.
I stopped auditioning while a graduate student and upon returning to DC for my career, but I recently came in second runner up at the Silver Spring Stage monologue competition, and that has inspired me to pursue my professional "second career" again. I need to be engaging with and in art to be my best self.
I am quite willing, and have previously, fit a heavy rehearsal schedule into my weekends and after my workday ends. For me, the payoff of community art making is more than worth it.
Contact at jeaniebrenner@gmail.com or 203-414-0188 by text or call.
