Author: msjekelly

Jennifer’s background of travel and the performing arts has shaped her world. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, she is delighted to have found roots on Vancouver Island. After graduating with a degree in Drama and Vocal Performance from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, she enjoyed working as a theatre manager, actress and feature singer for several cruise lines. Jennifer also had the opportunity of directing the theatre program at Southridge Independent School in South Surrey, and also taught Performing Arts teacher for District 69. Alongside her teaching career, Jennifer has the pleasure of performing with local theatre companies. She has earned the North Island Theatre Zone best actress and best ensemble awards, and also received best director at the Vancouver Island One Act Play Festival. Recent directing roles include Doubt, A Parable, Second Chances, the Canadian premiere musical, The Secret Garden, and Pink for ECHO Players. She also directed All Together Now at Malaspina Theatre to support performing artists through the pandemic. Since 2015 she has been the musical theatre instructor for Qualicum Beach School of Dance, directing Suessical Jr, Into the Woods Jr, Mary Poppins Jr, Frozen Jr, Oliver, My Fair Lady, and Beauty and the Beast. She truly feels at home with QBSD where she is also a passionate Musical Theatre, Acting and Speech and Dramatic Arts instructor. Jennifer is extremely fortunate to teach, perform and direct in this vibrant arts community and craves discussion with other artists, is always seeking to attend the next engaging performance, another play to direct or perform in, an audience to create discourse with, and most importantly, students with whom she can foster a love of theatre and the performing arts.