5 Questions for Jenny Goodfellow

Jenny Goodfellow joined Country Day in 2012 as the Middle School drama teacher. Her previous experience as enrichment coordinator for the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte led to an enhanced production level for Middle School performances, and a program that connected theatre with community engagement and service. In 2015, Mrs. Goodfellow was tapped to direct the Upper School Theatre Arts program.

How long have you been involved in theatre?

I first experienced the magic of theatre at age 10 when I watched my hometown community theatre’s production of Annie. It opened a world of song and scenery that had me bouncing down the street afterward. I have been involved in theatre in some capacity ever since. I was cast as a lead in the first show I auditioned for—The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This meant I was destined for Broadway, right?! Unfortunately, my subsequent auditions weren’t as successful. I decided if I couldn’t be in the shows, I would volunteer behind the scenes. I was on running crews, worked lights and sound, took tickets, painted scenery, organized costumes, you name it! As a teen, I learned how to work a drill, fix a hem, paint scenery, and many other priceless skills. I went on to be cast again (many more times) in various parts for various shows; but if I wasn’t on the stage, I was behind the scenes or reading plays, all of which ultimately led to pursuing theatre in college and beyond.

As an undergraduate, I discovered theatre could be used as a vehicle for change by working with the Urban League to ease racerelations among teens. It connected me to the world of education, social justice, and how theatre could have an impact in community and school settings. During graduate school at NYU, one special project led us overseas to London and a collaboration with the Unicorn Children’s Theatre which ultimately connected me to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and then Country Day.

Mrs. Goodfellow during dress rehearsal for Catch Me If You Can.

What do you like about teaching theatre at Country Day?

The people here genuinely care for each other. You feel it when you go to events like Lower School Spirit Night or the Holiday Breakfast, see it when alumni come back to visit on their fall break, and absorb it when you walk alongside a faculty member with a major life event. Country Day is not just a place to teach, it’s a community I connect with personally.

As a parent, one of the most precious relationships I’ve witnessed is the interaction between the theatre students and my own children. My second grader and kindergartener, Gracie and Joseph, love visiting rehearsals and seeing the big kids in action. Walking across campus to their classes in the morning, I see them hugged, fist-pounded, and encouraged to have a great day by the Upper School students. Gracie and Joseph are watching firsthand how a student can take AP Calculus, play on a sports field, and perform on the stage. The cross-section that Country Day provides is inspiring.

As a theatre director, my job is a lot like a parent. In the same way we, as parents, are preparing our children to become independent in the world, a director prepares a cast/crew to perform a show. When the cast/crew describe themselves, they often talk about being a family. These students overcome challenges, solve problems, even have disagreements, and work as a team to make the show a success. In the process, they form lifelong friendships.

As a teacher, I love seeing a student think in new and creative ways, step out of his or her comfort zone (especially in an Improv class), or be an avid supporter of the arts by attending shows.

Ultimately, it’s about helping students reach their fullest creative potential and letting them use the foundational skills of their fine arts class to follow their own path—whether that be on the stage, in an operating room, or at a board meeting. These aren’t just theater skills, they are life skills.

The program continues to grow with bigger shows and more awards. What’s the secret to your success?

Theatre is a collaborative process. I feel fortunate to have the support of amazing individuals: Karl Hoffman (technical director), Linda Booth (choreographer), Megan DeLaura (music director), Jaclyn Orchard (costumes), Mr. Reed who always attends productions from Lower School through Upper School, students who are ready to rise to the next challenge, parents who are willing to give their time and talents, an administration who considers innovative ideas, and a husband and family who support a crazy schedule and a passion for all things theatre.

During my days at the Middle School, I remember sitting across from Warren Sepkowitz explaining to him that I wanted my students to perform Peter Pan and I wanted us to fly—I mean, really fly. This involved contracting Flying by Foy (one of only two companies in the world to specialize in flying effects), hiring a structural engineer to evaluate the support beams in the theatre, and many more lengthy logistics. Even though Warren was shaking his head “no,” he was smiling all the while. I knew then, this is a school that supports innovative ideas.

Whether you are sewing on a button for a costume, buying a ticket to a production, cheering on your child’s stage debut, or an alumni returning for performances, it all creates a community of engagement and, ultimately, a successful program.

You are traveling to Scotland this summer to take part in the Fringe Festival. How did that come about and what is the itinerary?

We were invited by the American High School Theatre Festival to apply, and were accepted, to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world. Last summer, after attending the Festival and realizing that we would lose our Country Day identity to become part of the American High School program, I explored the idea of independently going to the Fringe Festival with David Lynn, director of International Studies and Matt Less, head of Upper School. They were both extremely supportive of this new direction, and a collaboration began to broaden the trip experience, to not only perform internationally, but form connections across our own community and the city of Edinburgh.

Before we leave for the Fringe, we will perform Dr. Seusss’ The Cat in the Hat at ImaginOn’s Terrific Tuesday event on July 23, in collaboration with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s summer reading program to promote literacy. As we take the show to the Fringe Festival, we will perform at the Eric Liddell Centre in Scotland, a community organization that offers support services for both young people and the elderly. The collaboration with the Office of International Studies allows students to travel to London, England, to take workshops at the Globe Theatre, tour Stratford-upon-Avon, and attend various productions and workshops both in London and while at the Fringe in Edinburgh.

That’s the beauty of Country Day—the interdepartmental collaborations allow for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for students.

In October, thanks to Lower School Drama teacher Joe Trifiletti and Jenny Goodfellow, Country Day hosted a theatre workshop with Tyler McKenzie and Kristen Hoagland from Hamilton.

What is your favorite musical or play and why?

This is the hardest question! How does one choose? I have a list of shows I love and of course, Hamilton is on repeat in my playlist. However, my favorite show is always the show I’m directing. Being able to dive deep into the world of a script and unlock its potential brings me back to my first experience of Annie. Watching the performers, hearing the music, seeing the choreography, and having it all come together is what continues to inspire me today.

Jenny Goodfellow has training with Dell’ Arte International School and is one of 25 educators to hold a directing fellowship from The Juilliard School in New York. She has been recognized multiple times as Outstanding Director by the North Carolina Theatre Conference, and most recently as Best Director by the Southeastern Theatre Conference. Mrs. Goodfellow is a published playwright and has been featured as a guest writer for TheatreFolk and the American Alliance in Theatre and Education in addition to holding a master’s degree from New York University.