Department of Theater Arts

Jennifer A. Cleary

Jennifer A. ClearySenior Lecturer in Theater Arts

Degrees

  • Harvard University, EdM

  • Mary Washington College, BA

Profile

Jennifer Cleary has been at Brandeis University for almost two decades. She teaches courses in stage management, creative pedagogy, public speaking, small group communication and theatre for social change. She started her professional theatre career as the assistant stage manager for New Repertory Theatre's 1997-98 season. Since then, she has worked on productions with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Worcester Foothills Theatre, Fredericksburg Theatre Company, Encompass New Opera Theatre, Gloucester Stage, New Rep  and Brandeis University. She has stage-managed numerous special events and fundraisers and has served as a PSM for Paulette's Ballet Studio, a local dance company, for over a decade. As an educator and advisor, Jen mentors student stage managers, supports students in achieving skill and confidence in public and professional speaking, and offers one-to-one coaching for speakers at Brandeis and beyond. She earned her EdM in arts in education from Harvard University.

Awards and Honors

  • Louis Dembitz Brandeis Prize for Excellence in Teaching (2015)

  • Theodore and Jane Norman Fund Grant for Faculty Research and Creative Projects (2015)

  • Davis Fellow in Teaching and Learning (2013)

  • Davis Fellowship for Experiential Learning (2006)

Scholarship

  • Annual Concert. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Paulette's Ballet Studio, Regis College, May 2018. (forthcoming)
  • "Dead Man's Cell Phone." By Sarah Ruhl. Actor (Hermia) Cleary, Jennifer A.. Acme Theatre, AcmeArtSpace, Maynard, Feb. 26-Mar. 19, 2016.
  • "Reckless." By Craig Lucas. Director Cleary, Jennifer A.. Littleton High School, November 2009.
  • "According to Tip" (featuring Ken Howard as Tip O'Neill). By Dick Flavin. Jennifer A. Cleary, Stage Manager. New Repertory Theatre, July 2008..
  • "The Santaland Diaries." By David Sedaris. Cleary, Jennifer A., Stage Manager. Arsenal Center for the Arts, New Repertory Theatre, December-January 2008.
  • "White People." By J.T. Rodgers. Cleary, Jennifer A., Stage Manager. Arsenal Center for the Arts, New Repertory Theatre, March 2007.
  • "Calvin Berger." By Barry Weiner. Cleary, Jennifer A., Stage Manager. Gloucester, Massachusetts, Gloucester Stage Company, August 2006.
  • Spring Concert. By Paulette's Ballet Studio. Resident Stage Manager (11 years) Cleary, Jennifer A.. 2017 (Since 2006).
  • "The Heidi Chronicles." By Wendy Wasserstein. Cleary, Jennifer A., Stage Manager. Gloucester, MA, Gloucester Stage Company, June 2006.
  • "The Diary of Anne Frank (Opera)." By Grigory Frid (music and libretto). Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Cleveland Opera/Encompass New Opera Theatre, Cleveland Opera House, June 2004.
  • "In the Blood." By Suzan-Lori Parks. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts, October 2002.
  • "Eleemosynary." By Lee Blessing. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Worcester Foothills Theatre, February 2000.
  • "Talley's Folly." By Lanford Wilson. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Worcester Foothills Theatre, April 2000.
  • "Glimmer Brothers." By Warren Leight. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Williamstown Theatre Festival (World Premiere), Nikos Stage, June 1999.
  • "The Milk of Human Kindness." By Laurence Tocci. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts, March 1999.
  • "The Sty of the Blind Pig." By Phillip Hayes Dean. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts, MainStage, October 1999.
  • "The Threepenny Opera." By Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill (music). Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts, Fall 1999.
  • "The Waverly Gallery." By Kenneth Lonergan. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Williamstown Theatre Festival (World Premiere), Nikos Stage, August 1999.
  • "Jack and Jill." By Jane Martin. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. New Repertory Theatre, May 1998.
  • "Julius Caesar." By William Shakespeare. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts, November 1998.
  • "Mrs. Klein." By Nicholas Wright. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. New Repertory Theatre, February 1998.
  • "The Heart of Art." By Michael Weller. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Brandeis University Department of Theater Arts, October 1998.
  • "Valley Song." By Athol Fugard. Asst. Stage Manager/Vocal Coach Cleary, Jennifer A.. New Repertory Theatre, 1998.
  • "Wait Until Dark." By Frederick Knott. Asst. Director Cleary, Jennifer A.. Belmont Hill School, Spring 1998.
  • "Working." By Stud Terkel. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Fredericksburg Theatre Company, June 1998.
  • "Lost in Yonkers." By Neil Simon. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Fredericksburg Theatre Company
  • "A Moon for the Misbegotten." By Eugene O'Neill. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. New Repertory Theatre, September 1997.
  • "The Gifts of the Magi." By Music by Randy Courts, lyrics by Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts drawn from two short stories by O. Henry. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. New Repertory Theatre, December 1997.
  • "The Secret Garden." By Marsha Norman (book and lyrics), Lucy Simon (music), based on the story by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Asst. Stage Manager Cleary, Jennifer A.. Fredericksburg Theatre Company.