Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Waithera.
Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For the most part, the theatre was that fun outlet for me to express myself. I didn’t take it seriously as a career until a few years later. The summer before senior year of high school, I took a workshop at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis led by the late Ken Washington that changed my life and turned my past-time into a lifestyle. I’m still so thankful for that workshop and Ken for shaping the kind of artist I am and aspire to be. After that workshop, I knew I wanted to pursue acting in college.
Two years later, I auditioned for the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program and got in. My time in school was difficult at times but overall left me with the certainty that I was committed to pursuing a life in performance. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta to pursue TV and Film. Although I had my theatre background, I knew I had to refine my craft to adjust to the camera. I spent a lot of time training in class and doing background work to gain on-set experience. After a few months, I was able to meet my agent and begin auditioning for roles. I recently made my network debut on HBO’s Lovecraft Country. Even though I’ve been passionate about this since I was a little girl, I’m still very much at the beginning of my journey and I can’t wait to see where this life takes me from here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth journey, but I really wouldn’t change a thing. There is so much growth that can happen in turbulence, so much you can uncover about yourself and your character that you might not find if you never have to dig deep to discover it. My toughest moments in life have revealed so much of myself to me and, in turn, have made me a better artist and human being. I knew early on that this lifestyle would present unique challenges, but I’m thankful for the oasis that the craft provides to work through some of those challenges and be a refuge and a reminder that hard times don’t last. That is the gift it gives to me, and that’s the gift I hope to give to others through my craft.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m primarily an actress, but I like to consider myself an artist first and foremost. I have a strong relationship with music and dance, and I pull a lot of that into my work as an actor. I also really enjoy writing, especially songwriting and poetry. I recently started getting into directing and producing. This past summer I directed, produced, and starred in a sizzle reel based on a play by the wonderful playwright Harrison Rivers. The story is about two sisters trying to navigate life and love after their mother’s death. The story is called Sweet.
Contact Info:
- Email: jenniferw.waweru@gmail.com
- Website: JenniferWaitheraWaweru.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferxwaithera/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCgBeD8qTjLXULnAMQyA-osg
Image Credits:
Josh Stringer, Jerad Christopher, Donny Jiang, and Jay Musslewhite
