IUGTE Members
Jessica Benini (Canada)

Date of Birth: February 19, 1982
Nationality: Canadian
Language: English

Jessica is an actor, musician, singer and songwriter. In 2005, she graduated from the Acting Mentorship Programme at Rosebud School of the Arts in Rosebud, Alberta, Canada. She continued her training in voice, physical movement and Shakespeare by attending the Canadian National Voice Intensive in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Jessica is currently the Associate Artistic Producer at Evergreen Theatre in Calgary, Alberta. She is working alongside and mentoring under the Artistic Director, learning how to run a theatrical touring company.

Jessica is the founder and Executive Producer of Coastal Prairie Productions. CPP was created during her final year at Rosebud School of the Arts with a vision to see the theatre company travelling around the world creating and producing original work.

Another one of her passions, besides acting, is creating music. She has been playing acoustic guitar for 15 years and drums for 10 years. Jessica continues to learn and develop as a performer by pouring her heart into movement as well as music and theatre.

THEATRE TRAINING

Canadian National Voice Intensive, University of British Columbia, 2005
Mentorship in Acting, Fellow of the Rosebud School of the Arts Guild, 2005
Diploma in Acting, Rosebud School of the Arts, 2003
Certificate in Theatre Foundations, Rosebud School of the Arts, 2002

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED IN ENGLAND

Voice: The National Theatre - London, England, 2003
Shakespeare: Lloyd Notice - London, England, 2003
Physical Theatre: Royal Shakespeare Company -
                           Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, 2003
                           Toby Jones - London, England, 2003

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED IN UNITED STATES

The Method: Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute - New York City, 2004
Scene Study: HB Studio - New York City, 2004
Dance: Aszure & Artists - New York City, 2004
Shakespeare: Shakespeare & Co. - Lennox, Massachusetts, 2004

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED IN ROSEBUD, ALBERTA (selected) 

Practical Training for Actors: Sergey Ostrenko & Inga Ryazanova - International University Global Theatre Experience, 2004
Acting for Film & Television:
Francis Damberger, Film & Cattle Co. - Tofield, AB, 2004
Stage Combat: Karl Sine & Nathan Schmidt - Rosebud, AB, 2004
Business of Show Biz: Seana-Lee Wood - Vancouver, BC, 2004
Voice: Deborah Buck - Saskatoon, SK, 2004
Tim Mallendeine - Edmonton, AB, 2003
Physical Movement:
David Van Belle, One Yellow Rabbit - Calgary, AB, 2001

PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE

Lights,/Sound/Set Carpentry/Ushering/
Entertainer/ Musician/ Singer - Rosebud Theatre 2001 -2005
Front of House Manager - Rosebud Theatre, 2004
Assistant Stage Manager - The Diviners, Rosebud Theatre, 2004
Costumes - The Clearing, RSA, 2003
Light Design - The Other Side of the Pole, RSA, 2002