Jennifer Appel

What does it look like when you mix the making of Bruce Springsteen with classical training in the Fine and Performing Arts and add intelligence, spirit and passion? Jennifer Appel has been hailed as one of the fiercest and most dedicated break through artists of her time and when one reads her story they can soon see why. Jennifer's extensive training as a theater actor and director bring notable depth and discipline to her film work. Her advanced capacity to understand the human needs that drive great stories allows for unprecedented results with the actors she works with. She works from her heart and inspires those around her to do the same. Known as a 'one take wonder actress' she brings a precision and urgency to her work that creates an explosion of life and an infusion of passion. Brought up in the middle of the Springsteen phenomenon and behind the scenes of major television networks, with her half-brothers Mike and Stephen blazing their way through the industry, Jennifer learned the rigors and demands of professional entertainment young. While some kids were concerned with boy scouts or brownies, she was learning how to "nail audiences to the wall". Described as 'truly punk rock' by international filmmakers, she invites the edge and pushes boundaries. Her commitment to full expression supersedes any common tradition or industry standard. Jennifer has that rare combination of education, environment, talent and passion that make great art possible. She knows she owes her audience a truly exceptional experience and will do whatever it takes to deliver. During her freshman year in high school Jennifer was already accepting numerous scholarships for college art classes. Here she explored perspective, balance and the power of story through image. She was also the lead in community theaters and soon caught the attention of Fredericka Von Stade (International leading Mezzo-Soprano) and learned the intricacies of professional backstage and touring while accompanying Ms. Von Stade on tour with Leonard Bernstein throughout Europe and around the states several times. Peter Masterson of The Actors Studio invited Jennifer to study Directing and Karen Malpede offered her a full acting scholarship to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She accepted the scholarship to NYU and participated in Circle in the Square and The Experimental Theater Wing (ETW). She was mentored by Tony Kushner (Angles in America), Lauri Peters (Tony Award Nominees Meisner Teacher), Wendell Beavers (Master Teacher, Viewpoints and Somatic Movement), Keeley Eastley (Linklater Master Teacher), Terry Schreiber (Master Acting), John Astin (The Addams Family), etc... She also trained with Patrick Tucker and the Royal Shakespeare Company while performing First Folio Shakespeare to sold out houses. At NYU Jennifer began working on her screenplays with peers including Harmony Korine (Kids). During these years she worked as an actor or as a production assistant on many sets (Searching for Bobby Fisher, Ransom, First Wives Club, USA Today Live, Central Park West and Ron Howard's The Paper, to name a few). She is grateful to these patient pros who encouraged her career, and especially to Ron Howard for his graciousness early on. Other generous champions include Armand Assante and Danny Aiello. Coming up in the Long Island Hardcore music scene, Jennifer eventually broke out on her own and created several rock groups along side such bands as Glassjaw, Brand New, Ours and Marjorie Fair. Producer Marc Jordan (The Cult, Velvet Revolver), along with Stuart Zechman (Stabbing Westward), first worked with her when she wrote the soundtrack to her film and theater extravaganza "Yes! Damn it." She continues to write with Marc to this day. Jennifer has worked with Pam Bricker (Thievery Corporation), Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich (Spirit Caravan, Probot), and many others. You can often hear her tracks on popular television shows, when not on the radio or in concert. Jennifer embraces improvisation and was a founding member of NYC improv group the New Usual Suspects and worked with Gorilla Rep Theater, doing Shakespeare in Washington Square Park. While writing music and enjoying a flourishing theater acting career she turned her attention to film and started Risk Productions, which produced plays, film festivals, art happenings and concerts. During this time she was a co-producer and line Producer for Broken Lizard Productions, Cataland Films (best known for Super Troopers), and co-produced the live action segment of Blue's Clues, the most successful children's show of it's time, for Nickelodeon. Jennifer continues to produce, write and act. Jennifer knows what it takes and gets the job done. Staring at graffiti from the E Street band on her basement walls behind her "easy bake oven" it was hard to imagine doing anything else with her life. From day one she was going to be an artist. It was pretty much destiny and Jennifer has met it every step of the way.