On this page . . . Scroll down to find out more!
• About Jenna
• Creative Partners
• Merilee Mitchell photographs of Jenna
• Acknowledgements
• About Jenna
• Creative Partners
• Merilee Mitchell photographs of Jenna
• Acknowledgements
About Jenna
Ballet has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would look at pictures of ballet and see a world outside of my own that called to me. I lived in Oakland, California, but attended my first ballet performance many miles away at the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley Junction. There, Marta Becket performed her one-woman show of ballet and pantomime. The magic of Marta’s presence lit a flame inside my six-year-old heart that burns to this day. Upon seeing her, I begged my parents to put me in ballet lessons.
Fortunately, Oakland had its very own professional ballet company and school. My teacher, Ronn Guidi, was the founding Artistic Director of the Oakland Ballet and was an encouraging mentor for many years. At the age of 14, he gave me a spot in his company, thus beginning my professional dance career. During my 20 years affiliated with Oakland Ballet, my passion for teaching and directing was fueled, and at one point I was called upon to step in as Interim Artistic Director. Throughout the years, other towns and dance troupes held my interest. Richmond Ballet in Virginia introduced more mentors and five very rewarding years. Dancing with Diablo Ballet in California allowed me to receive the Isadora Duncan Award for “Best Individual Performer.” The Lyric Opera of Chicago gave me the role of ‘Dream Laurie’ to recreate the original choreography of Agnes de Mille's, “Oklahoma!,” and gave me a chance to explore the world of musical theater! Menlowe Ballet, Amy Seiwert's Imagery, and Black Rock City Ballet are other treasured troupes with which I have had the opportunity to create. After devoting over 30 years realizing my dream of dancing professionally, I found myself drawn back to the place where it all began. In 2014, I returned to the desert and the Amargosa Opera House. Marta Becket was 90, and I had the amazing privilege of directly working with Marta to bring her work back to life. With her blessing and tutelage, I had the honor of recreating and performing Marta’s original one woman show on the opera house stage. Mission It is with respect towards the gifts I have received, to share them with others and pass on the torch of inspiration. Art has saved my life and I intend on spreading the light for as long as I can. |
Creative Partners
Teatro El GrandeTeatro El Grande, our community
theater in Tecopa, calls for new acts with each show. It’s a lot of fun weaving new stories together with the recurring characters. The cast shifts its shape easily and welcomes all thespians, poets, dancers, and musicians. Tecopa Hot Springs Road Tecopa, California 92389 (510) 506-2194 Look for the big white tent! |
Death Valley AcademyCurrently, I am volunteering at
Death Valley Academy twice a week providing art, music, and movement. Death Valley Academy, also known as Death Valley High Academy, is a public high school located in the town of Shoshone in Inyo County, California. It is part of the Death Valley Unified School District. Teaching gives way for the most magical moments! |
Across the USA!Teaching has been a part of my career for over 20 years. As well as contributing and designing outreach programs from the west coast to the east.
My choreography has been used with several schools, including Richmond Ballet, SPARC’s Live Art, University of Richmond, and Oakland Ballet Academy. Contact me through the site if you are interested in private lessons or concerts. My home base is between the Mojave and the San Francisco Bay Area. |
All photos: Merilee Mitchell
The backbone of every production has been the community. It’s the spit fire and grit of my friends that completes each performance.
My gratitude goes towards all these special people, and more.
Marta Becket and the Amargosa Opera House for inspiring a lifetime of magic.
www.amargosa-opera-house.com
Bobbi Fabian, General Manager of Death Valley Junction. Your artistry and impeccable taste in rebuilding the Amargosa Café has set a new delicious standard in this desert. www.amargosacafe.org
Amy Noel and Terry Lennon, and the whole tribe of Tecopa Hot Springs Resort. The birthplace of Teatro El Grande. tecopahotsprings.org
Lara Murphy from Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools, for her brilliant backdrops and providing the idea and materials for our audience’s peace flags. A special thank you to the whole tribe of this sweet establishment. tecopahotspringscampground.com
David Aaron Smith for his thought provoking backdrops and Carlo Ranconcio for facilitating the most unique props from Villa Anita. davidaaronsmith-art.com villaanitadv.com
Sarah Paz Hyde for her inspiring flyer designs and all the needed advice. sarahpazhyde.com
Jim Furlough, Jim Matson (AKA Terra Pan), George Leger, Glee Brandon, and Gregory Perez. These guys are the innards of the backbone.
Death Valley Brewing and Steak & Beers for providing Teatro’s first cabaret experience. deathvalleybrewing.com
Teatro’s loyal photographers:
Merilee Mitchell thegravelghost.com
Nancy Good nancygoodart.com
Joan Lazarus for building this site and making me look good. danceartsf.org
Mi Familia. Tom McClintock for being my hero and taking it all in. You have helped in so many ways to make the dreams come true. The best shows are when you’re in the audience.
Jack Bannon, my step-father, for bringing us to Death Valley, back in 1982, enabling the discovery of Marta’s opera house.
Queta Beltran, mi mama, for teaching me how to dream BIG.
To the cast, crew, guardians and parents of all of us from Teatro El Grande. I am sincerely grateful for your support, constant encouragement, and participation.
The Audience! Thank you for coming and contributing your love and light. Some of you have been a part of the show by pitching the tent, building the stage, making sets, and dressing like clowns to collect money! The love is astounding!
My gratitude goes towards all these special people, and more.
Marta Becket and the Amargosa Opera House for inspiring a lifetime of magic.
www.amargosa-opera-house.com
Bobbi Fabian, General Manager of Death Valley Junction. Your artistry and impeccable taste in rebuilding the Amargosa Café has set a new delicious standard in this desert. www.amargosacafe.org
Amy Noel and Terry Lennon, and the whole tribe of Tecopa Hot Springs Resort. The birthplace of Teatro El Grande. tecopahotsprings.org
Lara Murphy from Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools, for her brilliant backdrops and providing the idea and materials for our audience’s peace flags. A special thank you to the whole tribe of this sweet establishment. tecopahotspringscampground.com
David Aaron Smith for his thought provoking backdrops and Carlo Ranconcio for facilitating the most unique props from Villa Anita. davidaaronsmith-art.com villaanitadv.com
Sarah Paz Hyde for her inspiring flyer designs and all the needed advice. sarahpazhyde.com
Jim Furlough, Jim Matson (AKA Terra Pan), George Leger, Glee Brandon, and Gregory Perez. These guys are the innards of the backbone.
Death Valley Brewing and Steak & Beers for providing Teatro’s first cabaret experience. deathvalleybrewing.com
Teatro’s loyal photographers:
Merilee Mitchell thegravelghost.com
Nancy Good nancygoodart.com
Joan Lazarus for building this site and making me look good. danceartsf.org
Mi Familia. Tom McClintock for being my hero and taking it all in. You have helped in so many ways to make the dreams come true. The best shows are when you’re in the audience.
Jack Bannon, my step-father, for bringing us to Death Valley, back in 1982, enabling the discovery of Marta’s opera house.
Queta Beltran, mi mama, for teaching me how to dream BIG.
To the cast, crew, guardians and parents of all of us from Teatro El Grande. I am sincerely grateful for your support, constant encouragement, and participation.
The Audience! Thank you for coming and contributing your love and light. Some of you have been a part of the show by pitching the tent, building the stage, making sets, and dressing like clowns to collect money! The love is astounding!