Jennings’ journey to becoming an actress began as a small child, “I always loved the arts and performing whether it was dancing, singing or acting.” Despite having stage fright, (“I would literally fake being sick if I ever had to speak in public.”) her first real play, The Jungle Book in middle school, became a turning point. “I was hooked after that and continued doing shows throughout school before attending college and getting my degree in Theatre Performance,” she recalls.
Initially planning to major in Marketing, Jennings pivoted towards acting during her senior year of high school. Confident in her talent, she applied to arts colleges despite being told she wouldn’t get accepted. She proved her doubters wrong and moved to LA after graduation. “Man, did I have to hustle, and I still do,” she says. From filming scenes with friends to participating in student films, Jennings’s dedication paid off when she booked a commercial for Ipsy in 2020, marking her first significant professional job.
Jennings emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive acting class. She credits The Acting Center for providing a nurturing environment that allows artists to grow without anxiety, “I’ve been to my fair share of acting classes throughout my life. I don’t think I ever truly felt comfortable in a class until I started attending The Acting Center. A class should be a place where you can make a mistake and not feel bad. A place where you can do amazing scenes and have people support and learn from each other.”
Jennings on the set of The Secret Life of The Pastor’s Wife, and with actor Terrance Livingston Jr.
Jennings’s recent projects, Secret Life of the Pastor’s Wife and Surviving the Sleepover, have been remarkable experiences. “Everyone brought everything to the table every single day on set, and we were all very supportive and kind to one another,” she shares. The training she received at The Acting Center directly influenced her audition success and character portrayal on set, “It was especially wonderful because I booked these films right after doing the Breakthrough Intensive at The Acting Center. I took exactly what I learned from that class into my auditions which then was what I brought to the character on set.”
She describes the on-set experience as fast-paced and demanding. Preparation was key to managing the pressure, especially during night shoots for Surviving the Sleepover. She credits advice from crew members and her own meticulous preparation for her ability to adapt quickly to the challenges.
Attending the Beverly Hills and Golden State film festivals for her film Next as both writer and star.
The rise of self-tape auditions has changed the landscape for actors. Jennings recalls her first self-tape audition in 2018, which was rudimentary at best. Now, with the confidence gained from The Acting Center, she embraces the creative freedom self-tapes offer. “My prep and prep time have changed a lot since studying here,” she notes, now able to create great performances and learn lines quickly and efficiently.
Jennings treasures the supportive environment at The Acting Center, which has allowed her to become her own biggest fan rather than her harshest critic. “I love the ability to leave everything at the door when I walk into class, including other people’s opinions. Like most artists, I have been my own biggest critic. I used to be really critical of my work but slowly, over time, in class, I have really gotten to a place where I love my work and what I create. Auditions are now exciting rather than anxiety inducing,” she says. She also praises the teachers who genuinely care about their students’ success, “I’ve sat for hours with the teacher working out how to take my auditions to the next level and then a few weeks later got an avail check for a huge franchise.”
Reflecting on her journey, Jennings believes The Acting Center has instilled a confidence in her she never knew she could have. Her focus has shifted from seeking approval to serving the character and the story, “…and making sure my dog doesn’t bark during the take!” “There’s something so liberating about sending in an audition and feeling unbelievably proud of your work,” she concludes.
For aspiring actors, Jennings highly recommends The Acting Center. “It changed my life,” she says with gratitude. “Thank you, The Acting Center!”
