
Music Theatre Philly Masterclasses
In these masterclasses, Broadway actors will give students dance or voice instruction. Followed by a Q&A, these master classes will answer questions about what it's like to be in one of Broadway's biggest blockbusters, as well as what it takes to have a career in show business!
Space is limited!
Broadway Masterclass: Broadway Rehearsal with
Jena VanElslander
Friday, January 6 from 4:30 - 6pm
Grades 6 - 12
$40
Get a glimpse into a Broadway rehearsal! This workshop will begin with a warm-up to connect to the body and get the blood flowing. Be ready to sweat and wear clothes you can move in. Students will learn original choreography from JAGGED LITTLE PILL! Whether you’ve danced before or just enjoy moving, everyone will leave feeling like they just danced on a Broadway stage!
Students will spend 60 minutes dancing with Jena VanElslander followed by a 30 minute Q&A where they can ask about her life as a Broadway performer!
Jena VanElslander (@jenavanel) is a multifaceted artist and athlete originally from Ontario Canada, and currently residing in Brooklyn, NY with her partner Dominique and their French bulldog! Jena is a Performer, Creator/Choreographer and Stunt Woman, and currently performing as the MJ Avatar in the 1st National Tour of JAGGED LITTLE PILL (Dir. Diane Paulus and Choreo. Sidi Larbi).
Favorite credits include: Tv/Film: ‘West World’, ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’, ‘Bollywood/Hollywood’, ‘I’m Not Gay’, Broadway: KING KONG (Ensemble/Puppeteer/Swing), and Productions of: A Chorus Line (Cassie), Rock of Ages - Las Vegas, Other World, and The Jack Cole Project (NY Times).
Jena studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she’s proudly been part of the Dance Faculty in NYC for over 10 years, and travels throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and South America teaching Master Classes and holding the conservatory’s auditions. She also holds a BA in Psychology and Biology from Hunter College, also in NY.
In the height of the pandemic, Jena created a movement called the “TSQ Project” - performing artists taking over Times Square and bringing inspiration, joy, love, HOPE and live performance to New York City and the world! The Times Square Project was a home for hundreds of artists while theatre doors remained closed and helped bridge the gap between the shut down, and the curtains rising again. @tsqproject
Jena strives to live by the words of Neale Donald Walsch, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.