Bio

Kelly Jennings received her BFA cum laude in Theater from Syracuse University and is a proud member of Actors Equity. She has been working as an actor, improviser, director, and teaching artist in Philadelphia since 1992. Kelly also designs and leads numerous workshops in corporate communications and teambuilding.

As an actor Kelly has had the pleasure to work at a variety of Philadelphia theater companies including The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater (Dionyza in Pericles), the premiere production of Karen Getz' Suburban Love Songs at the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival (maid), Pay Up! with Pig Iron Theater (Box Artist Patron; Barrymore nomination Best Ensemble) Grease and Desist with Brat Productions and Tapestry Theater, Chesapeake by Lee Blessing for Tapestry Theatre (Best Female Performer nomination Dublin Fringe Festival Dublin Ireland,) Lantern Theater, Philadelphia Area Repertory, Red Heel Theater, Hedgerow Theater among others.

She is an active member of Philadelphia Comedy Sportz since 1992 where, in addition to performing, teaching improvisation for adults and high school students, she served as Business Manager for over a year and spent 2 years as Co-Artistic Director. She was a founding member of the long form company LunchLadyDoris Philadelphia's longest running long form improv company (yikes!) Along with long time friend and improv partner Karen Getz, Kelly has co-created/directed and performed in two audience interactive shows: Killer Pussy and Cecily and Gwendolyn's Fantastical...

Kelly has taught improvisation and theatre as a guest instructor for C.W. Post Long Island University, University of the Arts Continuing Education, Philly Improv Theater (aka PHIT), the Philadelphia Joke Initiative and The National School Community Corps. Kelly has served as a teaching artist for several of Philadelphia's award winning outreach programs including Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, 1812 Productions (Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater Education), Philadelphia Young Playwrights, InterAct Theater, and Theatre Ariel. Kelly has also desigend and led multiple theater and improv based workshops for community and private groups.

Directing credits include A Thurber Carnival at Delaware County Community College, assistant director Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Lantern Theater (Michael Brophy director), School House Rock, Live! Germantown Academy Middle School, and assistant director She Loves Me at Haverford High School (Matt Decker Director) and over 6 of the Broadway Junior series scripts for Germantown Academy's Belfry summer theater camp; Favorites included Once on This Island, Guys and Dolls, and Seusical, The Musical.

With practicle experience in theater management, business, and performance Kelly is often consulted for her knowledge and expertise to develop original business concepts and coach presentation, communication and teambuilding skills. She assisted in the development of a marketing firm Brand Improv-er which utilized
improvisation in marketing focus groups encourging participants immediate and uncensored responses. She designed training sessions based in improv and theater techniques for Sun Oil Company at the Willow Grove, PA campus to develop teambuilding skills and address stess reduction and employee retention; And she developed an improv training session in 'listening' for the company Cogent Training and Consulting.

Kelly lives with her partner of 19 years their 12 year old Basenji -- Loki, and 4 cats. Yeah, that's a lot of cats. In January of 2009 Kelly took up the challenge to persue a life long goal of riding 100 miles in a single day on her bike. As of December 2010 her longest ride remains 40 miles.