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Photo: Gary Baildon


Since training at Auckland's influential Theatre Corporate, New Zealand actor Jennifer Ward-Lealand has worked extensively in theatre, film and television for over 25 years.  She has excelled in both dramatic and comedic roles, as well as numerous roles in musical theatre and cabaret.

In recent years Jennifer has also become a director of theatre, especially musicals, and has devised many cabarets.  As an accomplished singer, she presents her own shows, Falling in Love Again and The Look of Love, Evocative/Provocative , at festivals and venues in New Zealand and Australia.  She is also in demand as a tutor of musical theatre.

Jennifer was a founding board member of the Watershed Theatre, a co-founder of The Large Group, and is currently President of New Zealand Actors Equity and serves as a trust board member of Silo Theatre. In the 2007 New Years Honours List, she was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit "for services to the theatre and the community." 

Click here for Jennifer's upcoming projects.


CLICK LINKS AT RIGHT FOR INFORMATION ON JENNIFER'S CABARET SHOWS:


Jennifer in August: Osage County

Jennifer will play Barbara in Tracy Lett's August: Osage County for Auckland Theatre Company, 2-25 September 2010 at Maidment Theatre.

Also starring Jennifer Ludlam, Stuart Devenie, Alison Quigan, Hera Dunleavy, Gareth Reeves, Peter Daube, Andi Crown, Nancy Brunning, Andrew Grainger, Kevin Keys, Alistair Browning, and Elizabeth McMenamin, with direction by Colin McColl.

Beverly Weston is an academic and poet of some renown.  When he suddenly goes missing, the clan gather at their family home in Osage County, Oklahoma, to confront their secrets, lies, abberations and the lacerating tongue of Beverly's wife, Violet.


Three acts and enough revelations to power several soap operas, August: Osage County is a corrosively funny, brilliant, bitter indictment on where the American Dream went wrong.

Click here for more information and to book.


Jennifer on Reel Late with Kate

Jennifer was the guest film reviewer on Reel Late with Kate on Sunday on TV3.  Watch it online here (NZ only).  It will be re-shown Saturday 4 September at 10:30 a.m.


Jennifer Guest Stars on Duggan
Jennifer and husband Michael Hurst were guest stars in the two-part Duggan story "A Shadow of Doubt" in 1998. Part one will be shown on Monday, 6 September 2010 at 11 p.m. on TVNZ Heartland, with another showing on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.  They play a husband and wife whose daughter disappears.

Jennifer to be Guest Interviewer at Inside View for New Zealand Opera's Macbeth

Jennifer will interview the director, designers, conductor and singer(s) of NBR/New Zealand Opera's production of Macbeth at Inside View on Friday, 17 September 2010, 5:45 p.m. at ASB Theatre.  Click here for more info (scroll down).


Jennifer an Ambassador for The Outlook for Someday, The Sustainability Film Challenge for Young People

The Outlook for Someday is a challenge for young people (to age 24) to make a sustainability-related short film, up to 5 minutes long. It can be any genre and filmed with any camera. There will be 20 winning films which will be shown on TVNZ 6.  Films must be submitted by 17 September 2010.  See full details on The Outlook for Someday website.

Jennifer and the other Ambassadors (Kirsten Morrell, Oliver Driver, Lanita Ririnui-Ryan, Te Radar, Liesha Ward Knox, Olly Coddington, and Wendy Douglas) have filmed Testimonials encouraging young people to make and submit their films; see them here.

 


JENNIFER'S CD, FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN

Jennifer has produced a CD, Falling in Love Again, which is a studio recording of her touring cabaret show, Jennifer Ward-Lealand Falling in Love Again.  Click here for more about the CD including a complete song list and instructions on how to order.

Review:  " . . . you'll never again hear Dietrich as divinely drawn by someone so intelligent and beautiful . . . buy this CD, give copies to your friends . . . "  GayNZ.com


Kia ora and welcome to Jennifer's official website.  Whether you're a fan looking for information, a producer seeking a performer, or somebody just stopping by - we're glad you're here.  Please use the menu at the top of the page to explore Jennifer's career - past and future. And if you have questions or comments, just drop us a line:  .  Thanks.

J E N N I F E R   W A R D - L E A L A N D   O F F I C I A L   W E B S I T E
© Jennifer Ward-Lealand                              Click here for contact information.
Jennifer is represented by Johnson and Laird Management.