Jennifer recently completed a scenic painting project for ArtsWest’s production of Jane Eyre: The Musical. Jennifer was the lead painter of the landscape mural backdrop and also assisted with the texturing of the grass, sand pathway, deck, and rock-facing.
Photos courtesy of John McLellan and Siri Nelson. Set Design by Lex Marcos.
Jennifer also worked as the Dramaturg for Book-It Repertory’s adaptation of the Victorian classic, Jane Eyre this summer. Jane kicked off the 2018/2019 Season, adapted and directed by Julie Beckman.
What is a Dramaturg?
Dramaturgy is defined as the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation, and a dramaturg or -turge is a specialist. In other terms, a Dramaturg works as an historian and compiles contextual information about the source material (in this case, the novel Jane Eyre) and its author, the time period, locations, and other relevant information to provide historical context and accuracy to the director and actors to deepen the understanding and richness of the world of the play.
In addition to compiling research packets for the actors and creative team, Jennifer wrote essays published in the show program, and created interactive content for the theatre lobby display.
Read a snippet of Jennifer’s work shared on Book-It’s Blog here:
Lobby content includes a timeline of Charlotte Brontë’s life, early stage productions of Jane Eyre dating back to the mid 19th century, information on Brontë’s decision to publish under her male pseudonym, Currer Bell, a matching game with other famous female writers and their pseudonyms, and information on the real-life inspirations for the locations in the novel, all written and compiled by Jennifer Ewing.
Photo: Jennifer Ewing
Jennifer will be playing Oswald in this summer's Wooden O production of William Shakespeare's classic King Lear.
Directed by Seattle Shakespeare Company Artistic Director George Mount, King Lear plays in parks throughout the Puget Sound region from July 12 - August 12. Tickets are free to the public.
About King Lear: An aging monarch’s last act could destroy his kingdom. After ruling for many years, Lear decides to divide his lands and wealth between his daughters. Overestimating their love and loyalty, Lear finds everything that defined him as a king ripped from his hands. Only after wandering purposeless and tossed about in a storm of pain and madness, the once mighty ruler begins to discover his own humanity.
Wooden O is in it's 25th season! For more information about the show, please visit Seattle Shakespeare Company's website.
NOW OPEN: SINGS THE HITS by Scotto Moore
From Katie McKellar (Director) and Jennifer Ewing (Assistant Director):
We are excited to bring you the newest show in our 2nd Stages series. Our 2nd Stages series was developed to give more opportunity to new work and new voices in the Seattle area.
This Halloween, we invite you to join us with our latest episode of Signal Loss which explores sexism and manipulation in the music industry through the ages. As Ellie says in the show, sexism is pervasive. It is something we see everyday. The exploitation of women and the manipulation of their bodies and minds is something that affects people globally, nationally, and within our own communities, not just within the industry of music.
This show was written before the sexual exploitation by certain men in the entertainment industry became headline news. This show asks questions of all of us: How do we perpetuate this behavior? How do we stop it? How do we help those who have suffered from targeted and casual sexism, harassment, and assault?
Sings The Hits runs through November on select days/nights at 12th Avenue Arts on Capitol Hill in Seattle, WA.
Production photos courtesy of Margaret Toomey.
We've received great reviews from audiences and critics, including Drama In The Hood:
This production moved me to tears, and I encourage everyone of every age, gender, and life experience to come and take part in this story.
The story that unfolds is an unflinching indictment of male privilege in the music industry and the deep wounds it leaves in those that suffer from the harassment and assault that is far too common and far too easily overlooked. The conversations that occur are ones that so many have had in everyday life; the excuses, the minimizing. One line that stood out to me beyond any other, and is still rattling around in my head hours later, is, “Don’t grade consent on a curve.” If that doesn’t capture 21st century rape culture, I don’t know what does.
An honest devotion to the theme of love and fighting for oneself above all else gives this new play the wings to soar.
Read more at Drama In The Hood online.
PREMIERE!
Downstairs was chosen for production from T22 and ACT’s new play festival THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE in 2016.
Opening June 16th at A Contemporary Theatre in downtown Seattle, Jennifer is Assistant Directing DOWNSTAIRS, the newest play from renowned playwright and screenwriter, Theresa Rebeck.
A co-production between Theatre22 and ACT, Downstairs is helmed by award-winning director Julie Beckman.
From Theatre22 about Jennifer's role on the team:
Jennifer Ewing has worked as Theatre22's resident scenic painter/artist for the past few seasons as well as having jumped onboard the T22 staff recently as our associate producer. For Downstairs, Jennifer is aiding the production's artistic development as our assistant director. In a recent interview, Jennifer states, "...I was thrilled to be brought on board the Downstairs team for many reasons, all of which check substantial career goals on my list! Being in the room with talent and creatives of this caliber, and having the opportunity to collaborate with Julie, Christine, John and Brandon to bring this fantastic script to life is a gift and an incredible learning opportunity for me as an artist. And to be working on a brand-spanking-new Theresa Rebeck script? Magic!"
About the play:
What happens when a brilliant lost soul comes to stay in his sister’s basement and refuses to leave? And if the menacing brother-in-law doesn’t approve? In a dog-eat-dog world, these siblings find a haven of sorts in an unfinished basement as they attempt to make sense of the past and negotiate how to move forward into the future. Unusual relationships, power plays, and surprising humor abound in Theresa Rebeck’s compelling new play which explores the nature of family, of memory, and of sanity.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatre22.org/downstairs or http://www.acttheatre.org/Tickets/OnStage/Downstairs or at the ACT Box Office.
June 16th - July 9th
In the Bullitt Cabaret at ACT Theatre, 700 Union Street
Thursday – Fridays at 8pm
Sundays at 2pm
*PWYC Preview Wednesday June 14th
**Special Industry Night Tuesday June 27th at 8pm
Cast: Christine Marie Brown*, Brandon Ryan, John Q. Smith
*Member: SAG AFTRA & AEA
