BW Music Theatre signs Broadway veteran, director, leading educator
Shawn Salamone
11 December 2024
Jennifer Hemphill brings two decades of professional performance and academic leadership experience to BW's renowned training ground for Broadway talent, the first step in assembling an all-star leadership team.
Baldwin Wallace University's nationally recognized Music Theatre program announces the appointment of Jennifer Hemphill as professor of music theatre and music theatre director.
Hemphill, who currently serves as dean of the Conservatory for the Performing Arts and is the former chair of music theatre at Stephens College in Missouri, will join BW's prestigious program in August.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Hemphill to help lead our program into its next chapter," said Susan Van Vorst, dean of BW's Conservatory of Performing Arts. "Her unique combination of Broadway experience and intentional desire to pursue teaching and academic leadership makes her ideally suited to prepare our students for successful careers in professional theatre."
From stage to classroom
Before her transition to academia, Hemphill performed on Broadway, in national tours, throughout Europe, and with regional theatres and symphony orchestras. She holds a BFA from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and an MFA from Kent State University, a specialized program for professional actors transitioning to a focus on teaching and directing.
"I am excited to join an elite music theatre program in an incredible city for performing arts," Hemphill said. "I share BW's focus on strong training based on current industry standards, and I'm eager to foster and grow the deep professional partnerships and industry connections that give students incredible stage experiences. While the stature and legacy of the program are invaluable, so is the opportunity to reassess, recalibrate, and reimagine what might be possible in the next chapter."
Rave student reviews
Van Vorst says Hemphill won rave reviews from BW students who attended teaching sessions with her during an extensive national search and interview process that included listening sessions with faculty, students, alumni and partners.
"Not only does Jennifer bring the required industry experience and connections, she is electric in the classroom," Van Vorst observes. "She has phenomenal energy, really connected with our students, and demonstrated strong skill in teaching acting through her coaching. She intends to reach out to students to solidify those connections right away, even before she formally arrives on campus in August."
Van Vorst notes that the appointment is the first step as Baldwin Wallace assembles a collaborative team to lead BW's world-class music theatre program into a new chapter following the planned departure of current program director Victoria Bussert.
"Jennifer is an important and vital piece of our goal to assemble a power team," Van Vorst says. "A top-tier music director is next on our list."
Firm foundation for the future
A scene from BW Music Theatre's fall 2024 production of "Jesus Christ Superstar." Up next, BWMT will stage the regional premiere of "Waitress: The Musical" as part of the BW/Beck Center collaboration in February 2025 and "[title of show]" at Playhouse Square in April 2025.
Hemphill joins a BW program that has appeared on a raft of "best" lists, including, most recently, The Hollywood Reporter's "25 Best Drama Schools in the World" and Backstage magazine's list of "The top college musical theater programs in the U.S."
The annual New York City showcase for seniors is attended by 200 industry professionals, including agents, managers, casting directors, modeling agencies and TV/film studios, resulting in the majority of BW students landing representation year after year.
Looking ahead, BW will stage the regional premiere of "Waitress: The Musical" as part of the BW/Beck Center collaboration in February 2025 and "[title of show]" at Playhouse Square in April.
About the BW Music Theatre Program
The Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Performing Arts Music Theatre program is ranked among the finest in the nation with a dynamic curriculum focused on mastering acting, voice and dance. Workshops by professionals prepare students for the business side of music theatre. BW faculty members maintain active professional careers, giving BW students a decisive edge in a competitive marketplace. For more information about Baldwin Wallace University's Music Theatre program, visit bw.edu/music-theatre.
