Performing Arts Students Hear from Entertainment Industry Leaders

“Storytime,” our online talk show featuring special guests from the arts and entertainment industry, is back and ready to give our students a behind-the-scenes look at the industry! On Tuesday evenings, David Rowell, associate professor and program coordinator of the Arts and Entertainment Management program, hosts a Zoom meeting with a special guest known for their roles on stage, on screen or behind the scenes to discuss their work, careers and stories about the live entertainment business. Students in our performing arts programs are able to get an inside look at the field, learn from guests’ personal experiences and ask questions.

Our first guest of the Fall 2022 semester is Jennifer Elise Cox, an extraordinary actress known for her role as Jan Brady in “The Brady Bunch Movie” and “A Very Brady Sequel.” Cox combines a glowing personality with outlandish humor to invent her own comedic style. A highly trained ballerina, Cox performed dramatic roles in New York stage operas such as "Don Giovanni" and "Madame Butterfly" before "The Brady Bunch" movies set her on a path to create her unique comedic roles. She has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Edtv,” “Bewitched,” “The Backup Plan,” “Spooky Buddies” and starred in the indie comedy “Out West,” which she also produced.

On television, Cox is considered one of Hollywood's "go-to" improv comedic actresses, creating hilarious characters on “Web Therapy,” “10 Items or Less,” “Lovespring International” as well as many memorable guest starring roles on “Mr. Mayor,” “CSI: NY,” “Will & Grace,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Six Feet Under,” and many more.

Past speakers in the “Storytime” series have included Rachel Chavkin, the Tony Award-winning director of “Hadestown”; Anthony Zerbe, an Emmy Award-winner with a 50+ year career on the American stage and screen; Kevin Chamberlin, three-time Tony Award-nominee known for his roles in television, film and Broadway; Emily Luther, recording artist, teacher and contestant on NBC’s “The Voice”; and much more.

Learn more about Arts and Entertainment Management and the School of the Arts at Dean College.