Jayne Wenger is a director and dramaturg whose exclusive focus is on original material. She is the past Artistic Director of the Bay Area Playwrights Foundation and was the Artistic Director of Women’s Ensemble in New York. She has developed the emerging work of acclaimed playwrights throughout the country including David Adjmi, Brenda Wong Aoki, Kate Bornstein, Nilo Cruz, Sara Felder, Julie Hebert, Dan Hoyle, Holly Hughes, Naomi Iizuka, Sherry Kramer, Brighde Mullins, Schatzie Schaefers, Laura Shamus, Deke Weaver, and The Residents. She has collaborated with Claire Chafee on numerous projects, including the original dramaturgy and direction of the world premiere of "Why We Have a Body" at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. Her work has been recognized with many awards. She works with playwrights individually on the development of new works and teaches workshops across the country and has taught at Artworkshop International in Assisi, Italy, She has had a six year Residency focused on dramaturgy and new play direction at San Francisco State.

A major touring project is the direction, dramaturgy, and co-production of "The Winter Bear", written by Alaska Writer Laureate Anne Hanley. This play has developed into The Winter Bear Project, a performing arts and social outreach initiative focused on teen suicide in rural Native communities. The play has been presented at The Alaskan Federation of Natives Conventions in Fairbanks and Anchorage and is currently touring into the Alaskan bush and along the Yukon River.

Some other notable projects include direction and dramaturgy for "The Lariat" a new opera by Lisa Scola Prosek, performed at The Thick House in San Francisco; Dramaturgy for Marga Gomez' "LOVEBIRDS". She is engaged in a long term project with Deke Weaver, part of his on-going series "The Unreliable Bestiary". (unreliablebestiary.org) and "Rush At Everlasting" by Arlitia Jones, performed at Perseverance Theater in Juneau, Alaska. A few other projects of note include "Becoming Grace" by Naomi Newman, co-founder of A Traveling Jewish Theater; dramaturgy for Michelle Carter’s "How To Pray" for Crowded Fire; direction and dramaturgy for Claire Chafee’s "FULL/SELF" for The Playwrights Foundation; direction and dramaturgy for Anne Galjour’s "You Can’t Get There From Here" for Z Space and Dartmouth College; and co-direction and dramaturgy for "Men Think They Are Better Than Grass" with the Deborah Slater Dance Theater.

Jayne is an alumna of the Djerassi Resident Artist Program; a regular guest artist and advisory board member for The Valdez Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska; a member of the Dramatists Guild, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, a past member of Alter Theater of San Rafael and the League of Professional Theater Women. Jayne is the Regional Vice President for LMDA, serving the Greater Metro Bay Area. www.jaynewenger.com

New play dramaturgy and direction. Extensive experience with solo performance, and ensemble plays as well as musicals and new opera.

English, Spanish

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