Since training at Auckland’s influential Theatre Corporate, Jennifer Ward-Lealand has worked extensively in theatre, film, television, musical and radio for over 30 years.
In 1989/90, Jennifer toured NZ and internationally with The Front Lawn and in the early 90s moved to Australia to appear in the comedy TV series FULL FRONTAL, and played Viola in the Adelaide International Festival’s production of Twelfth Night.
On stage her work includes The Goat, That Face, Berlin, Brel (Metro Magazine’s #1 Cultural Experience 2012) for Silo Theatre, Twelfth Night, Le Sud, August: Osage County, The Heretic for Auckland Theatre Company, Rita and Douglas for Armstrong Creative and most recently Between the Sheets and Luncheon at the Basement.
Jennifer’s film work includes THE FOOTSTEP MAN, DESPERATE REMEDIES, THE UGLY, FRACTURE and Linda’s BODY. Television includes FULL FRONTAL, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, SHORTLAND STREET, DUGGAN, INTERROGATION, AUCKLAND DAZE, THE ALMIGHTY JOHNSONS and THE GOOD WORD.
Jennifer devised and performed the cabarets Falling In Love Again featuring the songs of Marlene Dietrich, and The Look of Love which she has toured extensively throughout New Zealand, and in Australia. She works regularly as a voice over artist and can be heard as the character of Dorable Duck on the children’s television series BUZZY BEE.
Jennifer was a founding board member of the Watershed Theatre and a co-founder of The Large Group and The Actors’ Program. She is currently President of New Zealand Actors Equity, Patron of Q Theatre, and serves as a trust board member of Arts Regional Trust, Silo Theatre, and Actors Benevolent Fund. In the 2007 New Years Honours List, she was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to theatre and the community.
Session info: Te Reo and Tikanga Māori, Whose Voice is it? With Tainui Stephens, Waihoroi Shortland and John Barnett
Session info: In Conversation with Peter Mullan (Scotland)
