Jenny Wales

Artistic Director

Jenny is in her third season as the Artistic Director of the Virginia Theatre Festival and serves as Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Drama, a University appointment reserved for distinguished professionals who have been recognized for contributions to their field. Prior to returning to Charlottesville and her alma mater, Wales served as the Associate Producer and Director of Education and Outreach at PlayMakers Repertory Company, the professional theatre in residence at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.  Wales’ wide range of roles included producing six mainstage and three second stage productions each year, acting as the company’s casting director, leader successful major grant applications, participating in creative marketing efforts, and continuing to develop and expand PlayMakers’ award-winning education programs.  Wales taught undergraduate and graduate workshops and seminars in the Department of Drama while at the University of North Carolina, in addition to guest lecturing in departments including Political Science, African, African American and Diaspora Studies, Communication Studies, Geology, and Psychology and Neuroscience.  Wales has also performed as an actor in New York City and across the country.  She is the recipient of the Lincoln City Fellowship from the Speranza Foundation and she served the Public Arts Commission for the Town of Chapel Hill.  Wales received an M.F.A. in Acting from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and he BA in Drama from the University of Virginia.