Jennifer R. Blake

Jennifer R. Blake
Background information
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
InstrumentVocals
Years active1999–present
Websitewww.jenniferblake.tv
Jennifer Blake in the role of Caroline (Ma) in Prairie-Oke at the Cavern Club Theatre, Los Angeles
Jennifer Blake in the role of Mindy McCready, McCready the Musical

Jennifer R. Blake is an American actress and producer who has performed in television, film and musical theatre.

Career

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Jennifer Blake is a notable alumna of The Boston Conservatory, where she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre and has appeared in television, film and musical stage plays in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

She produced and starred in the role of Mindy McCready in McCready The Musical at Spirit Studio in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, May–June, 2015, reimagined and iterated during the Hollywood Fringe Festival, Los Angeles, June, 2016, and reprised Off-Broadway at The Triad Theater, New York City, September, 2016.[1][2][3] She was also co-creator and co-producer of the show in New York City.

She co-starred in Behaving Badly (2014). She guest-starred in the prime-time comedy series How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)[4] in the role of Nirvana on ABC. She also guest-starred in the NBC comedy Marlon (TV series) starring Marlon Wayans (2017).

One of her most notable roles in musical theatre has been as the character Susan in the 2010 Los Angeles premiere of [title of show], at the Celebration Theatre.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] She was called in for an audition and remarkably learned the role in three weeks.[14][15] Her performance was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical by StagesceneLA.[16]

Jennifer Blake was also critically esteemed for her lead role in Side By Side By Sondheim at The Attic Theatre, Los Angeles,[17][18][19][20] and was awarded Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast/Musical by StageSceneLA.[16]

She was in the original cast of the Off-Broadway New York City production of The Donkey Show, in the roles of Disco Girl/Swing for Hellen/Vinnie/Mia/Oberon.[21][22][23]

She earned critical acclaim for her 2013 role of Caroline (Ma) in Prairie-Oke! at the Cavern Club Theatre, Los Angeles.[24][25][26][27][28] and for her 2012 lead role in Are You There God? It's Me, Karen Carpenter at the Hudson Mainstage (Los Angeles), reprised in 2013 at the Palm Canyon Theater (Palm Springs, CA).[29][30][31][32]

She appeared in a musical based upon the life of Charles Bukowski, Bukowsical!, (Swing) at the Sacred Fools Theater Company, Los Angeles, a production which was taken to New York City and presented at the New York International Fringe Festival, and the show was awarded as Outstanding Musical.[33][34][35][36] She participated in the original cast recording.[37]

Other notable roles include Hair in the role of Jeannie at the Bay Street Theatre, New York; Jesus Christ Superstar in the role of Mary Magdalene at The Attic Theatre, Los Angeles;[38] Chess in the Ensemble and in the role of Vanity Fair Reporter at The Lyric Theatre, Boston; and Ex(it) Wounds at IO Mainstage, Los Angeles.;[39] The Crucible in the role of Betty Parris at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival; Grease in the role of Marty at the West Virginia Public Theatre; and The Will Rogers Follies in the role of Ziegfeld Girl at the Galveston Island Outdoor Musicals, Texas.

Her television appearances have included Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS, Sketch Artist; Sex and the City, Co-Star; Contest Searchlight, Co-Star; and in the series How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)[4] in the role of Nirvana on ABC. She also sang on Ryan Adams' album Love is Hell, B sides.

She was producer/actor in "The Bar", a comedy web series about the South.

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2015 "The Bar" web comedy series T.K.
2014 Behaving Badly Janice
2013 How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)[4] Nirvana TV series ABC
2012 Jayne Mansfield's Car (ADR Loop Group)
2010/I Hello (short)(I)[40] Jennifer Randall
2008 Simon (short)[41] Anna
2006 My Mother's Hairdo (short)[42] Dancer at the Hairdo
2004 The Stepford Wives Stepford wife
2001 Zoolander Fashionista

Awards

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Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical for the role of Susan in [title of show] from StagesceneLA's Best of LA Theatre Awards 2009–2010[16]

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast/Musical for Side By Side By Sondheim from StagesceneLA's Best of LA Theatre Awards 2009–2010[16]

Memorable Performance by an Ensemble Cast/Musical Spoof for Prairie-Oke from StagesceneLA's Best of LA Theatre Awards 2012–2013[43]

Community volunteer activities

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Blake has given generously of her time to children in need through CoachArt, Los Angeles, a non-profit organization offering free lessons in the arts and athletics to patients with chronic illnesses and their siblings, ages 6 – 18.[44] She also traveled to Delhi, India, as a volunteer on a build in the Bawana district for Habitat for Humanity International's Global Village Program.[45][46][47]

She produced the California for Alabama Benefit at MBAR, which was for the victims of the 2011 tornadoes that killed hundreds and left thousands homeless or with significant damage. The event was to benefit the local charity California for Alabama: California residents by way of Alabama collecting and delivering donations to the areas of Alabama ravaged by the April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak.[48]

Among her other volunteer interests are East L.A. Classic Theatre, the nation's only Latino based Theater Company that offers professionally performed Shakespeare adapted for youth in underserved communities of color[49] and ENRICHLA Interdisciplinary Garden Program, an Environmental Non-profit focused on helping students build a good work ethic, promoting thoughtful and healthy eating habits, and adding edible school gardens to public schools.[50][51]

She has also had a part in The Creative Coalition, the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry.[52] and The National Lab Network, a national initiative that connects K-12 teachers with science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals to bring hands-on learning experiences to students in all 50 states[53]

Further information: List of Boston Conservatory people § The Theater Division

References

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  1. ^ "Mindy McCready Musical to Open in Los Angeles". Rolling Stone. April 21, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  2. ^ "BWW Interview: Jennifer Blake Chats MCCREADY THE MUSICAL, Opening in Silverlake 5/8". BroadwayWorld. May 7, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  3. ^ "PopCulturalist Chats with Jennifer Blake". Pop-Culturalist. August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "How To Live With Your Parents – Episode 1.08 – How to Live With Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life – Press Release". Spoilertv. May 6, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  5. ^ "Theatre review: "[title of show]" at Celebration Theatre". Los Angeles Times. July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  6. ^ "Review: "[title of show]"". Variety. July 18, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "[title of show] at the Celebration Theatre". L. A. Theatre Review. July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  8. ^ "Theater Review: "(title of show)"". UCLA Daily Bruin. August 30, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  9. ^ "Theater Review: "(title of show)"". Stage Happenings. July 22, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  10. ^ "L. A. Theater Review: "(title of show)"". Backstage. July 21, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  11. ^ "BWW Reviews: L.A. Premiere of Witty '[title of show]' Is Hilarious Fun". Broadway World. July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  12. ^ "[title of show], Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles". Huffington Post. August 30, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  13. ^ "Singin' in the Rain [title of show] and Dani Girl". L. A. Weekly. July 29, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  14. ^ "Facing Your Vampires". LAStageTimes. August 10, 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "[title of show]: Celebration Theatre, 9/3/10". wordpress. October 3, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d 2009–2010 StageSceneLA Scenies
  17. ^ "Theater Reviews: Hot Pants, Cold Feet, Liberty Inn, Side by Side by Sondheim". L. A. Weekly. March 18, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  18. ^ "Side by Side by Sondheim". L. A. Weekly. March 18, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  19. ^ "Stage Raw: Extropia". L. A. Weekly. March 15, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  20. ^ "Ashman, Blake, Duke, Donohoe and Sarando Set for Attic Theatre's Side by Side by Sondheim". Playbill. February 12, 2010. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  21. ^ "The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Disco". Lortel Archives, The Off-Broadway Internet Database. August 18, 1999. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  22. ^ "The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Disco Off-Broadway Cast". Broadway World. September 30, 1999. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  23. ^ "'The Donkey Show' shakes up Shakespeare". The Daily Princetonian. September 30, 1999. Retrieved July 12, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Forever Young: Judy Blume & Laura Ingalls Wilder Become Cheeky Musicals". LAMag. March 8, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  25. ^ "Little House on the Prairie-oke!". AllEvents. April 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  26. ^ "Whoa, Nellie: Get Ready For Little House On The Prairie-Oke!". laimyours. March 29, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  27. ^ "Need to Know: 'Little House on the Prairie-Oke'". Out. March 29, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  28. ^ "Prairie-Oke!". stagescenela. August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  29. ^ "'Are You There God? It's Me, Karen Carpenter' parodies teen angst". Los Angeles Times. August 23, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  30. ^ "Karen Carpenter Meets Judy Blume in a Glorious Musical at Hollywood's Hudson Theatre". Huffington Post. December 4, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  31. ^ "ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, KAREN CARPENTER". StageSceneLA. August 17, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  32. ^ "ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, KAREN CARPENTER". Palm Springs Life. October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  33. ^ "BUKOWSICAL!". NY Theatre. August 12, 2007. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  34. ^ "Review: "Bukowsical!"". Variety. March 19, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  35. ^ "'Bukowsical!' is seeking support". Variety. March 24, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  36. ^ "Gary Stockdale wins Outstanding Music Award at 2007 New York International Fringe Festival". thescl. August 2007. Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  37. ^ "BUKOWSICAL!". Kritzerland. February 19, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  38. ^ "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR". StageSceneLA. March 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  39. ^ "BWW Reviews: EX(IT) WOUNDS Takes a Trashingly Refreshing Look at Real Break-Up Letters". BroadwayWorld. March 19, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  40. ^ "Hello (I)". imdb. June 19, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  41. ^ "Simon". imdb. April 10, 2008. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  42. ^ "My Mother's Hairdo". imdb. April 5, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  43. ^ "2012-2013-stagescenela-scenies". stagescenela. September 3, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  44. ^ "Volunteer FAQs". CoachArt. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  45. ^ "GV in India". Habitat for Humanity. July 13, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  46. ^ "Habitat For Humanity And Roman Catholic Chetanalaya To Build 150 Houses For Former Delhi Slum Dwellers In India". Habitat for Humanity. August 24, 2006. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  47. ^ "Habitat for Humanity India". Habitat for Humanity. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  48. ^ "California for Alabama Benefit". All Events in Los Angeles. August 3, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  49. ^ "East L.A. Classic Theatre". East L.A. Classic Theatre. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  50. ^ "Programs". ENRICHLA. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  51. ^ "Quincy Jones Elementary and Synergy Charter BUILD 4/14/12". ENRICHLA. April 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  52. ^ "The Creative Coalition". The Creative Coalition. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  53. ^ "The National Lab Network". The National Lab Network. July 12, 2013. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
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