New Staff Member for Theater Community

Jenny Tibbels seen dramatically performing a piece of theater. Tom Henning | The Waltonian

This past year for the Eastern University Theater community has been filled with uncertainty and transition. Easing this unrest is the new director of theater, Jenny Tibbels, who is stepping into her role at Eastern with a fresh vision for the program. She is an Eastern alumnus, and she went on to do her graduate studies in the Masters of Fine Arts program at Columbia University. She says, “As a student [at Eastern], I learned that the process of making theater was an opportunity to be in deeper communion with the Lord and to build community through storytelling.”

The students at Eastern are excited to begin working together and to see what new things she will bring to the community. Laura Bilger, a Junior involved in the theater program says, “I am excited to reunite with the close knit community that is Eastern theater. Not only can I not wait to welcome someone new in, but I am excited to be inspired, led and taught by Jenny Tibbels.” The theater at Eastern has been a place where many students feel like the fullest version of themselves. Allison Cox, a senior involved in the theater program says, “Seeing as she was one of Mark Hallen’s (the former director of theater) students, I am excited to see how she connects with the history of what theater-making has been here at Eastern. I am equally as excited to see what new insight she will bring us.” The members of the theater community are equally as excited to begin working with Tibbels, as she is to begin working with them.

Tibbels has big plans for the theater community. “I see Eastern Theater becoming a more visible and connected presence on campus,” she says, “and as we grow and develop long term, I see Eastern becoming a significant presence in the larger theater community of Philadelphia.” These big plans are inspiring and bring a new hope to the theater community here at Eastern.

The first production being staged this fall is Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” which goes up Nov. 13-16, 2014. Tibbels says, “I chose this play because it explores the meaning of life, love and art. What better way to start the year than with a heavy hitter?”

Tibbels is excited to begin her new job here and is excited to meet all of her students, both returning and new.