PAINTING FOR THEATER

AND OPERA

Jennifer began her scenic artist career at the San Francisco Opera in 1979. The Opera Shop also produced sets for the San Francisco Ballet. In six years, Jennifer worked her way through the union ranks to become a journeyman painter. She worked on numerous opera and ballet sets in San Francisco until her move to Florida in 2006. In Tallahassee, she worked on three operas for the Florida Opera in the School of Music at Florida State University.

A scenic artist’s job is to interpret the work of the set designer. This might involve painting large backdrops, sculpting or fabricating complex props or stage elements. Working from the designer’s paint elevations or scale models, she must quickly render the designer’s intent in a size appropriate to the stage. Backdrops often measured forty by sixty feet.

In addition to the opera, Jennifer worked on productions for the American Conservatory Theater and FM Productions, also touching up touring productions like Lion King at the major San Francisco theaters. Her scenic work introduced her to the richness of collaboration with such designers as Jean Pierre Ponnelle, Jose Varona,, John Conklin and Doug Schmidt.