1. JILL RENNER: SHAKESPEARE’S NEW MUSE by Judi Jordan
The brilliant clarity of expression, sparkling energy, and extensive training of young actor Jill Renner
are tailor made for The Bard’s material, Tolstoy, Stoppard, Miller, Mamet, or any demanding role of
screen or stage requiring exceptional skill and charisma. Agile with both drama and comedic fare,
Renner is that rare gem with charm, chops, and class. She glows with promise, intelligence, and
compassionate refinement. Classically trained, and tested by fire in prestigious theater companies, the
wide-eyed, dewy-faced ingénue is a California native, with a BA from UCLA in Theater Arts from the
School of Theater, Film, and TV. Jill also studied in Oxford at the British American Drama Academy
where she acquired the delicious tricks of the Brits. Her melodic voice delivers dead on accents:
British, Scottish, Irish, and German. She is a journeyman member of the Pacific Resident Theater
where she starred in the West Coast premiere of Island of Brilliance, directed by Marilyn Fox. Jill was
cast in the Greek Chorus of Annette Bening’s Medea which ran at UCLA Live’s Freud Theater.
Romantic yet modern, expressive, openly optimistic, but complex, Jill has been compared to a young
Helena Bonham Carter. Renner’s cut from the delicate, gifted, and light hearted cloth of a Keira
Knightly, Lily Collins, or Emilia Clarke. Renner emanates innocence and idealism, but she easily
summons a subtle cynicism, that will do justice to any heroine of yesteryear, or tomorrow’s
apocalypse. Her fair face was made for bonnets; the large hazel eyes, pearly teeth, and thick waves of
glossy brown hair are Austen-worthy. Of course, beauty means nothing without talent. Jill has proven
herself time and again, touring nationally in extended runs with LA Theater Works in Pride and
Prejudice playing Mary Bennett, and The Graduate, as Elaine Robinson. Renner’s experimental
theatre performances and demanding stage roles demonstrate her willingness to dive in body and soul.
Renner is definitely game. She recounts with relish her role in Titus Andronicus as “the girl whose
arms are amputated,” Renner recounts “The play was performed with pools of blood [!], in a found
space where the audience wore garbage bags to stay dry.” It’s not all doom and gloom. In Tom
Stoppard’s Arcadia, she played Chloe Coverly, the clever, flirtatious seductress. Her other leading
roles include "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Oscar Wilde), "Blithe Spirit" (Noel Coward), "The
Dining Room" (A.R. Gurney), "Brighton Beach Memoirs" (Neil Simon), "The Sad & Incredible Tale of
Innocent Erendira & Her Heartless Grandmother" (adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez short story),
"Death & The Ploughman", "The Skin of Our Teeth" (Thornton Wilder), and "The Miser" (Moliere) One
of the recent highlights of Jill Renner’s young career was working with Broadway royalty, Eve Ensler,of
the Vagina Monologues. This staged workshop of Ensler’s upcoming play, O.P.C. [Obsessive Political
Correctness], was cast and directed by Ensler herself; Renner played opposite Jo Beth Williams,
tackling the role of a ‘freegan’ a socially-conscious, anti-materialist, dumpster-diving daughter of a
candidate for the US Senator [Williams].Jill’s work with feminist icon Ensler was life-changing. Renner:
“She’s a force of nature.” Renner is always evolving. After Jill auditioned for Comedy Central she
intensively dove into improvisation classes. It thrilled her. Renner: “Learning about comedy is like
studying magic.” She takes master classes at Beverly Hills Playhouse with Howard Deutsch. Jill
immerses herself completely in every role. "I bring all of myself to whatever I'm doing." On the verge of
fame; she’s done a handful of indie films; the TV and film world will soon know her name as Jill’s cast
in film roles that normally go to English or Aussie actors. Renner’s heroes are Streep and Blanchett;
that bar is set realistically high. With her range for tragedy and comedy, every door is open to Jill. She
is the debutant with the wild streak, the well bred young lady that falls for the chauffeur. Jill’s the
sister of the fallen Marine who enlists in his memory, the rookie astronaut who steers the ship to safe
landing. She will make you believe, because she believes.