Gwen U. Jensen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Theatre
Wayne State College
Wayne , NE 68787
(402) 375 - 7422 -office
gwjense1@wsc.edu

EDUCATION  

Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2003. GPA: 4.0. Emphasis: Nineteenth Century American Theatre. Dissertation – “Matilda Heron: An Americanization of Camille.”

M.A. in Theatre from the University of South Dakota-Vermillion, 1997. GPA: 4.0. Emphasis: Theatre History, Directing, and Acting. Thesis - “A Survey of Influences Affecting the American 'Spinster' in Two Dramas from the 1930s: Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie and Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour.”

B.A. in Theatre from Wayne State College, 1994. Double minor in English and Speech Communication. Graduated Magna cum Laude with Highest Honors. Senior Honors Project – “Aphra Behn: Feminist Dramatist of the Restoration.” Senior Project – “The Theatre Program Collection of Anna Wells.”

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Presentations and Publications

2005 American College Theatre Festival - St. Louis, MO “Finding Your Character”
2004 Copyright Received "Matilda Heron: An Americanization of Camille "
2001 First National Bank Training Seminar-Columbus, NE "Improving Workplace Communication"
1998 Mid-America Theatre Conference - Omaha, NE "Understanding Theatre Patrons"
1997 No Limits Regional Woman's Conference - Omaha, NE "A Survey of Influences Affecting the American 'Spinster' ..."
1994 WSC Honors Colloquium "Aphra Behn: Feminist Dramatist…"
1994 Copyright Received "The Theatre Program Collection of Anna Wells"

TEACHING

Aug 2002 – June 2005 Wayne State College CNA 100 – Principles of Human Comm.
CNA 196/396/596 – Outdoor Theatre
CNA 223 – Acting I
CNA 224 – Acting II
CNA 240/440 - Intercollegiate Forensics
CNA 318 - Play Directing
CNA T-320 - Theatre Workshop
CNA/ENG 333 - American Theatre
CNA 335 – History of Theatre I
CNA 338 – Makeup for the Stage
CNA 339/439 - Musical Theatre
CNA/ENG 380 - Shakespeare
Guest Lecture on "Othello"
CNA/ENG 386 - Mod. World Drama
CNA 396 – Theatre Publicity
CNA 419 - Advanced Play Directing
CNA/ENG 430 – Playwriting
CNA 450/550 – Computer Layout for Pres.
CNA 591-43 – Special Projects - Audition

TECHNIQUES

Jan - May 2002 Wayne State College CNA 100 -Principles of Human Comm.
Aug 2000 -May 2002 CCC -Columbus PHIL 1150 -Critical & Creative Thinking
SPCH 1110 -Public Speaking
SPCH 1400 -Oral Communications
THEA 1010 -Intro. to Theatre- Ext. Learning
THEA 1010 - Intro. to Theatre
THEA 1710 -Play Production
THEA LB99 - Theatre Lab
THEA 1730 -Acting 1
BSAD 1913 -Staffing & Employee Development
Guest Instructor for Workplace Presentations
Aug -Dec 2000 Wayne State College CNA 100 -Principles of Human Comm.
Aug 1998 -May 2000 University of Nebraska-Lincoln ARTS 388 -Arts Today
Guest Lecture on Arthur Miller
Guest Lecture on Wendy Wasserstein
Guest Lecture on Tennessee Williams
Guest Lecture on Lillian Helln1an
Guest Lecture on Eugene O'Neill
THEA 112G -Intro to Theatre
THEA 1112H -Intro to Theatre (Honors)
UH 395 -University Honors
Guest Lecture on John F. Kennedy
June -Aug 1998 WIT Community College SPC 1100 -Fund. of Public Speaking
SPC 1105 -Interpersonal Comm.
Sep 1996 -May 1998 Wayne State College CNA-240/440 -Intercollegiate Forensics
CNA 311 -Oral Interpretation of Literature
Mar 1996 University of South Dakota THEA 100 -Theatre Appreciation Guest Lecture on Women in American Theatre

SERVICE LEARNING

2004-2005 WSC Northern Nebraska Area Health Education Center
2004 WSC Computer Layout for Presentations Class and the Wayne Area Chamber of Commerce

DIRECTING

April 2005 WSC Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Feb 2005 WSC Trust
Oct 2004 WSC The Crucible (ACTF entry)
April 2003 WSC The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad
Feb 2003 WSC A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Nov 2003 WSC The Diary of Anne Frank (ACTF entry)
Oct 2003 WSC The Tempest
June 2003 WSC The Taming of the Shrew
April 2003 WSC Beauty and the Beast
Feb 2003 WSC All in the Timing
Oct 2002 WSC Picasso at the Lapin Agile
Feb 2002 CCC Little Shop of Horrors
Oct 2001 CCC The Heidi Chronicles
Feb 2001 CCC Medea
Oct 2000 CCC The Good Doctor
Aug 1997 Wayne Community Theatre Two by Two -Production & Vocal
Dec 1996 USD Play for Germs
May 1996 USD Eukiah
Apr1996 USD Faces
Mar 1996 USD Butterflies are Free -Assistant Director
Aug 1995 Wayne Community Theatre Godspell- Vocal Director
Aug 1992 Wayne Community Theatre Li'l Abner -Vocal Director
Aug 1989 Wayne Community Theatre Musicale -Vocal Director

ACTING - STAGE

Mar 2000 UNL Joanne Sweet Tea and Spirits
Feb 1999 UNL Mrs. Bateson Black and White
Feb -Apr 1996 USD Numerous student-directed scenes
Mar 1996 USD Mrs. Baker Butterflies are Free
Sep 1995 USD Mary Phallon Chicks
Mar 1995 WCT Regina Hartman Hide and Seek
1994 WCT Maggie Overtones
1994 WSC Tessie Mahoney Miss Firecracker Contest
1993 WSC Old Woman Robin Hood
1993 WSC Nurse Romeo and Juliet
1993 WCT Mame Mame
1992 WSC Phoebe, LeBeau As You Like It
1988 WCT Mama Rose Gypsy
1987 WCT Miss Adelaide Guys and Dolls
1986 WCT Hattie Kiss Me Kate
1986 WCT Priest, M. Brassilhov The Good Doctor

ACTING - TV and RADIO

2005 Consumer Regional TV spot for Big Red Printing  

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Activities

Summer 2005 WSC Assumed Communications Department Chair Responsibilities
July 2005 WSC Consultant for WSC Counseling Center Peer Drama Project
April 2005 WSC Respondent to USD’s ACTF production of Natural History
April 2005 WSC Consultant for FBLA presentation
2004 - 2005 WSC Director of Theatre and Forensics
2004 - 2005 WSC Forensics Team Coach
2004 - 2005 WSC Faculty Advisor for Drama Club
2004 - 2005 WSC Lambda Pi Eta Board Member
2004 - 2005 WSC Consultant for student directed production: The Vagina Monologues
Dec 2004 WSC High School District C2 One-Act Competition Host
Dec 2004 WSC High School District B4 One-Act Competition Host
Nov 2004 WSC Faculty Advisor for Drama Day
Nov 2004 WSC Student directed one-acts supervisor
Oct 2004 WSC Respondent to Midland College's ACTF Production of Lend Me A Tenor
Oct 2004 WSC Respondent to SDSU's ACTF Production of Our Town
2003 - 2004 WSC Director of Theatre
2003 - 2004 WSC Faculty Advisor for Drama Club 2003 - 2004 WSC Lambda Pi Eta

BOARD MEMBER
Feb 2004 WSC Consultant for student directed production: The Dutchman
Dec 2003 WSC High School District C1-5 One-Act Competition Host
Dec 2003 WSC High School District C2-3 One-Act Competition Host
Dec 2003 WSC High School District D1-2 One-Act Competition Host
April 2003 WSC Consultant for Multi-cultural Women’s Presentation
April 2003 WSC Consultant for student directed production: The Laramie Project
March 2003 WSC History Day Adjudicator
2002 - 2003 WSC Director of Theatre
2002-2003 WSC Faculty Advisor for Drama Club
2002-2003 WSC Lambda Pi Eta Board Member
Dec 2002 WSC High School District C2-3 One-Act Competition Host
Dec 2002 WSC High School District D1-2 One-Act Competition Host
Nov 2002 WSC Student directed one-acts supervisor
April 2002 CCC Assisted with District II Music Contest
Dec 2001 CCC Student directed One-Act plays supervisor
Nov 2001 CCC Hosted District II High School One-Act Play Competition
Oct 2001 CCC Coordinated Staff/Faculty Talent Show
Summer 2001 CCC Spearheaded Fine Arts Building renovation to meet safety codes May 2001 CCC Created & implemented Annual Drama Awards Banquet
Apr 2001 CCC Assisted with District II Music Contest
Jan 2001 Adjudicated Albion High School Speech Competition
Nov 2000 CCC Hosted District II High School One-Act Play Competition
Mar 2000 UNL Dissertation research in Philadelphia, NYC, and Boston
Dec 1999 Adjudicated at Wesleyan University Forensic Tournament
Nov 1999 Adjudicated at WSC Wildcat Forensic Tournament
Jan 1999 Adjudicated at UNL Cornhusker Forensic Tournament
Jan 1999 Adjudicated at UNO Maverick Forensic Tournament
Mar 1998 WSC Coordinated & hosted the NE State Intercollegiate ForensicTournament (NIFA)
Nov 1997 WSC Coordinated & hosted the 14th Annual WSC Wildcat Intercollegiate Forensic Tournament
Apr 1997 USD Run crew for Escape from Happiness
Nov 1996 WSC Coordinated & hosted the 13th Annual WSC Wildcat Intercollegiate Forensic Tournament
Oct 1996 WSC Conducted workshops at WSC's Annual High School Drama Day
Aug 1996 WSC Conducted workshops at Battle Creek High School Speech Clinic
Nov 1995 Adjudicated WSC's Wildcat Forensic Tournament
Oct 1995 USD Dresser for Yellow Dog Crossing
Oct 1995 - Apr 1996 USD Worked in Theatre Box Office
Sep 1995 -May 1996 USD Chaired & conducted review sessions for Theatre History courses
Aug 1995 Conducted workshops at Battle Creek High School Speech Clinic
1994 Presented dramatic readings at WSC's Homecoming Banquet
1994 Presented dramatic readings at WSC's Teacher's Luncheon
1994 Presented dramatic readings at the "National Conference on the Family" at WSC
1994 Adjudicated WSC's Wildcat Forensic Tourn.
1994 WSC Stage Manager for Treasure Island
1993 WSC Presented Invocation at Winter Commencement Ceremony
1993 -1994 WSC Present model speeches for CNA 100 classes
1993 -1994 WSC Assisted with coaching the Forensic Team
1993 WSC Conducted workshops at WSC's Annual High School Drama Day
1992 WSC Testified before the Nebraska State Legislature's Board of

Appropriations on behalf of State Colleges
1992 WSC Presented dramatic readings at Centennial Celebration
1991 -1992 Adjudicated numerous regional Nebraska High School

Speech/One-Act Play competitions
1990 Producer for all WCT productions
1984 WCT Pianist for South Pacific

COMMITTEES
2004 - 2005 WSC Teacher Education Advisory Council
2004 - 2005 WSC Arts & Humanities representative to the Assessment Oversight Comm.
2004 - 2005 WSC Teaching and Learning Technology Committee
2004 - 2005 WSC President's Council on Diversity
2004 - 2005 WSC General Education Committee
2004 - 2005 WSC Arts & Humanities Assessment Committee
2004 - 2005 WSC Arts Walk Committee
2004 WSC Search Committee for Multi-Cultural Center Director
2003 -2004 WSC Arts & Humanities Assessment Committee
2003 - 2004 WSC Teacher Education Advisory Council
2003 - 2004 WSC General Education Committee
2003 - 2004 WSC President’s Council on Diversity
2002 - 2003 WSC Assessment Committee
2001 - 2002 CCC Humanities Assessment Committee
2001 - 2002 CCC Communications Assessment Committee
2001 - 2002 CCC Humanities Curriculum Review Committee
2000 - 2002 CCC Raider Review writing committee
2001 CCC Retain-A-Thon
2001 CCC Christmas Party Committee
2001 CCC "All-American Scholar Team" Selection Committee
2001 CCC Fine Arts Faculty Search Committee
2000 -2001 CCC Latino Strategic Team
1999 UNL Theatre Arts Curriculum Committee
1994 WSC Co-coordinated "National Conference on the Family"
1990 -1998 Wayne Community Theatre Board of Directors

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2005 WSC Private Voice Training with Bret Howsden
2000 -2005 NSAA Certified Judge for High School Speech/One-Act Play competitions
2001 -2002 CCC Private Voice Training with Andrea Leap
2001 CPSI Creative Problem Solving Institute - Buffalo, NY; Completed: Springboard Program
2001 Garden City, KS Diversity Conference
2000 -2001 NSCTA Completed: "Creating Community Spirit," "Theatre Poster Boards"
1999 -2002 NSCTA Member
1999 -2002 MATC Member NCA Conference Completed short course: "Comm. with People with Physical Disabilities"
1996 WSC Completed: Grant Writing Workshop
1991 -1992 NSAA Certified Judge for High School Speech/One-Act Play competitions
1976 - 1986 Private Voice Training with Connie Webber

HONORS AND AWARDS  

National
1992 Mankato, MN District IV Qualifier at Large Representative-National Forensic Association
1992 St. Louis, MO 2nd place Informative Speaking -National Individual Events Tourn., American Forensic Association
1992 Mankato, MN Quarter-finalist in Informative Speaking -National Forensic Association
1991 Clearwater Beach, FL 5th place Oratory -Interstate Oratorical Competition
1990 Mankato, MN Quarter-finalist in Informative Speaking -National Forensic Association

REGIONAL

April 2005 WSC $2000 Instructional Improvement Grant
April 2003 WSC $500 Instructional Improvement Grant
Dec 2001 CCC Recipient of "Spirit Award" for Retain-A-Thon
Mar 2000 UNL Recipient of the Warren F. and Edith R. Day Student Award
1998 -2000 UNL Teaching Assistantships
Nov 1996 Recipient of "Quality Judge Recognition Award" at Midland
Peacemaker Forensic Tourn., Fremont, NE
May 1996 USD Recipient of Nate and Babe Hurowitz Scholarship
1994 WSC Voted Best Supporting Actress of 1993 -1994 for Nurse in Romeo and Juliet
1994 WSC Voted Best Stage Manager of 1993 -1994 for Treasure Island
1994 WSC Recipient of Special Abilities Scholarship
1994 WSC Listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities
1993 WSC Nominated for "Irene Ryan" National Acting Scholarship for Nurse in Romeo and Juliet
1993 WSC Recipient of Outstanding German Student Award
1993 WSC Listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and

Universities
1992 WSC Recipient of Special Abilities Scholarship
1992 WSC Listed in National Dean's List

REPRESENTATIVE REGIONAL SPEECH AWARDS

1992 WSC 3rd - Pentathlon at NIFA ( Nebraska Intercollegiate Speech Association)
1992 WSC 1st - Program of Oral Interpretation at NIFA
1992 WSC 2nd - Prose Interpretation at NIFA
1992 WSC 2nd - Poetry Interpretation at NIFA
1991 WSC 1st - Oratory at NIFA
1991 WSC 1st - Poetry Interpretation at NIFA
1991 WSC 1st - Dramatic Interpretation at NIFA
1989 WSC Semi-finalist Informative Speaking at NIFA

REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY SERVICE  

2004 Makeup laison for Main Street Wayne Christmas Parade
2004 Workshop Presenter at WSC Drama Day
2004 Workshop Presenter at NSCTA Speech Camp Caravan in Battle Creek, NE
2004 Performance workshop at Wisner-Pilger High School
2003 NACT competition adjudicator
2002 to present Black and Gold Series Presenter
2001 Demonstrated makeup techniques to touring group
2001 Facilitated Columbus Public Library Book Club Discussion of

Long Days Journey Into Night
2000 -2002 Work in coordination with the Platte Valley Playhouse
2000 Organized/briefed participants for Columbus Community Hospital Disaster

Preparedness Training
1998 to present Critique High School One-Act plays before competition
1998 -2000 Worship Committee Member -First United Methodist Church, Wayne
1998 Adjudicate 4-H Speech Competitions
1997 Emcee "Cluck-Off' at Wayne Chicken Show
1995 -1997 Wayne Sunrise Toastmasters
1995 Choreograph Elementary School Choir Concerts
1995 Coach Junior High "Odyssey of the Mind" Team
1992 –1995 Adjudicate local talent shows
1990 -1998 "Act" for local radio ads
1985 -1997 Provide entertainment for numerous state and local organizations
1978 -1997 "On call" vocalist for Wayne area churches

Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
Janet Roney , M.F.A.
Professor, Technical Director, and Designer
Dept. of Comm. Arts
FA 110A
Wayne , NE 68787
(402) 375-7354
FAX: (402) 375-7130
jaroney1@wsc.edu

Gwen Jensen , Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Dept. of Comm. Arts
FA 111A
Wayne, NE 68787
(402) 375-7422
FAX: (402 375-7130
gwjense1@wsc.edu