Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeni Eberhard.
Jeni, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since higih school, I’ve known that I wanted to teach theatre. Yes, I love performing — but I also love working with youth and watching the theatre bug bite! It’s amazing to me that I get to fuse two of my passions together each day, theatre and youth — and actually get paid for it! I’ve been teaching in some copacity for the past 18 years. I’ve taught theatre at the high school and middle school levels in public schools in Plano and McKinney taught at a private preschool and been a private acting coach and director. I’ve had the honor of being selected as Teacher of the Year for my schools both in Plano and McKinney and 1st Runner up for District Teacher of the Year for McKinney ISD last year.
I believe in being a teacher who actually does what I teach, so I’ve always kept my foot on the stage! Currently, I’m a member of the improv comedy troupe, ComedySportz Dallas where I perform on a regular basis at The Comedy Arena in downtown McKinney. This improv troupe is also how I met my husband!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For me, my career in teaching and performing has been a fun road because it’s my passion and I’m doing what I’ve been called to do. However, that doesn’t mean that it comes without its challenges. As a teacher, besides the struggle of figuring out how to fix the copy machine when it breaks down in the middle of an important copy job, there is the emotional challenge of caring for each of the students. Teaching is not a job that you can leave at the office. I build relationships with my students so that I can better reach them in the classroom, but that means that I worry and hurt for them in their times of need as well as rejoice with them in their successes. Learning how to stay open to the students so that they feel safe and free to be vulnerable and take risks in the theatre classroom is a constant challenge. Ultimately, it means being purposeful to given myself those brain breaks and making this choice to take care of myself so that I can come back to the classroom ready to give as much as I want my students to give. I believe in “modeling what you want to multiply”. That can be draining, so being purposeful to take care of myself allows me to refresh for the beginning of a brand new week.
The other challenging part of my job is finding a balance between work and family. I’m a mom of 5 beautiful kiddos and a wife to a supportive, goofy husband. They come first and spending time with them helps me to be the best teacher and director I can be. Having a job that my children can come and watch what I do has been a great experience because they can better understand what is going on when I’m away from them directing a show. Allowing them to be a part of my teaching passion gives me the energy to go 100%. It’s also inspirational for them to watch me perform improv onstage, modeling that it’s important to do what you love because it’s your passion and not to just be concerned with following the money.
Please tell us about Evans Middle School and ComedySportz Dallas at The Comedy Arena.
Currently, I teach all levels of theatre at Evans Middle School-theatre 1, theatre 2, advanced theatre, and technical theatre as well as direct the shows. If my students were to quote me, they would say “be brilliant”! I’m always telling them to be brilliant in the moments and to push themselves out of their comfort zone so that they continue to grow. I suppose as a teacher, I specialize in building relationships. I truly care about my students and realize the importance of pouring into them as humans knowing that they will shape and lead our country in the future.
On stage with ComedySportz, I’m known for my physicality onstage. I love being able to bring laughter to an audience and let them forget about their hardships even if for just an hour.
In private acting lessons, I enjoy working with students to prepare for a big upcoming audition or getting seniors ready for college auditions. Digging deep with the students to help pull out characters that are believeable and honest is such a great challenge to be a part of. I enjoy working with all ages and experience levels to persue the art of theatre!
Who have you been inspired by?
I would be remiss if I didn’t say that I’m fortunate enough to have found inspiration in my own family through my mother and older sister. They have both poured into their own families and shown me the importance of being a mother.
I’m inspired when I see groups of women working together to uplift each other, challenge each other and fight for equality! Groups of women are powerful!
I find inspiration in the young ladies that I teach as they are working to be the best version of themselves no matter the adversity around them. Watching them build their self-confidence to truly chase their passion and make an impact in the community inspires me to bring my best each day.
Pricing:
- Private acting lessons are $40 an hour
Contact Info:
- Website: comedysportzdallas.com (for comedysportz improv shows)
- Phone: 214-769-0645 The Comedy Arena ticket sales
- Email: tulips3tulips@yahoo.com (for private acting lessons)
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
