Jenny Kosek, who is playing Jinx Jenkins is the delightful comedy THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY, now if the Sunset Spotlight.
- When did you first become involved at Sunset Playhouse and what areas have you been involved with here at the Playhouse?
My first role with Sunset was in 2005 or 06 as Marie-Whatever-Her-Name-Was in THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH. I have performed in several shows since and even played in the pit orchestra for KISS ME KATE.
- If you are working on a Sunset show right now, what is your role?
I am playing Jinx Jenkins in THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY. She’s “a humdinger of a gal” and great fun to play.
- If an actor, what has been your favorite role to date and what is your dream role? If a Production Team member, which show have you most enjoyed working on? What show would you like to do in the future?
I have been lucky to perform several of my dream roles throughout my career, including Jo in LITTLE WOMEN and Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (a role I’ve played twice). At Sunset, the role of Linda Seton in Philip Barry’s HOLIDAY was a dream role I treasure the memory of playing. In the future, I would love to be one of the Weird Sisters in MACBETH at some point!
- What do you enjoy most about the Sunset?
Sunset is such a friendly, fun place to perform. The Furlan Auditorium is such a beautiful facility and collaborating with such talented artists, volunteers, and theatre staff to bring stories to life is such a joy.
- When not at Sunset, how do you spend your time?
I perform with other theaters in the area when not at Sunset, including Waukesha Civic Theatre and Summerstage of Delafield. I’m also in an instrumental ensemble where I play cello. We perform throughout the year and in particular at Christmas time, when we perform for the Pabst mansion’s holiday tours. In the few moments when I’m not performing, I love reading, cooking, and going out to eat!
- What is your favorite color/food/movie/TV show/book/musical or play?
Color: Black
Food: Margherita pizza
Movie: Spaceballs
TV Show: Law & Order SVU
Book: Little Women
Musical/Play: HAIR/NOISES OFF (Fun Fact: I was Poppy Norton Taylor in Sunset’s 2009 production of NOISES OFF.
- What is your favorite quote?
One of my favorite directors, Donna Daniels (currently directing THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY) will remind her cast to “Give yourself grace.” This is a simple message but artists can very hard on themselves, and balancing work, life, and theatre as a hobby can sometimes be exhausting and certainly challenging. Giving yourself grace means allowing some breathing room in those areas in order to balance them all. It’s something I’ve had to grow into over the years, but it’s invaluable to be able to do so. Whenever I start to over-pressure myself about one thing or another, I hear Donna saying “Give yourself grace.”
- Any other comments?
Thank you to the volunteers, staff and supporters of Sunset Playhouse for keeping this gem of a performing arts institution thriving in our community for so long. Sunset truly is a special place with a wonderful history of providing exceptional entertainment and education to so many. We are all so lucky to have the opportunity to do what we love here, among such supportive people.