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Sands College of Performing Arts proudly welcomes Tony-nominated Broadway star and Grammy Award winner Jenn Colella to its distinguished faculty this spring. With her remarkable artistry and extensive experience, she brings an invaluable perspective on the world of musical theater to our students.

Aspiring performers will have the extraordinary opportunity to learn from an artist whose work has defined excellence in the field. Jenn’s recent starring role as Carrie Chapman Catt in Suffs earned her a Drama League Award nomination for Most Distinguished Performer, adding to her extensive list of accolades. Her transformative portrayal of Captain Beverley Bass in the Tony Award-winning Come From Away garnered widespread acclaim. She earned Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards, a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and Craig Noel, Helen Hayes, and Dora Awards for pre-Broadway productions. Jenn also won a Grammy Award for her contributions to the Dear Evan Hansen cast recording.

“I chose to become a professor at Sands because I am deeply inspired by the quality of actors that graduate from this program,” said Jenn. “I hope to bring a sense of confidence and agency to my students on their learning journey.”

Jenn’s illustrious Broadway career includes standout roles in If/Then, Chaplin, High Fidelity, and Urban Cowboy, for which she received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. Her versatility extends to television, where she currently stars as Captain Kershaw in Elsbeth. She has also appeared in Feed the Beast, Elementary, The Good Wife, All My Children, Rescue Me, The Code, Madam Secretary, FBI: Most Wanted, Evil, Beast In Me, and the Apple TV+ live capture of Come From Away.

This semester, Jenn will lead a special section of PAMT 223: Musical Theater Technique, where students will refine their craft and learn authentic performance techniques inspired by her extensive Broadway experience. Jesse J. Carlo, PhD, Chair of Musical Theatre & Commercial Dance, expressed his enthusiasm: “Jenn’s remarkable talent and wealth of industry experience make her a transformative addition to our program. Our students are in for a remarkable learning experience.”

The addition of Jenn Colella represents another milestone in Sands College's ongoing commitment to excellence in performing arts education. Her expertise and passion for teaching will provide our students with an extraordinary learning experience and will inspire the next generation of artists.