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.