Jennifer Baker
Jennifer Baker (or Jenn Baker), is an Assistant Professor of Design at St. Lawrence University in the Performance and Communication Arts Dept., teaching courses in Theatre Design (Scenic, Costume, Props, Makeup) as well as Scenic Painting, Props Construction, and Stagecraft.
Her background as a visual artist, painter as well as art historian and researcher led directly to application in the performing arts in multiple layered areas of design. She loves thinking outside of the box, creative experimentation and collaboration!
Jennifer works professionally and creatively as a Costume and Scenic Designer, Scenic Charge Artist/ Painter, Makeup Artist, Prop Artist and Interactive Visual Artist/ Consultant, based in the Upstate NY and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Jenn Baker's creative design work for theatre, opera, dance, film and interactive projects, have appeared nationally and internationally, both professionally and academically, for the past 20 years. Credits include: Santa Cruz Shakespeare (CA), Barter Theatre (VA), Charlottesville Opera (VA), Virginia Stage Company (VA), The Palace Theatre (SC), North Shore Music Theatre (MA), Mill Mountain Theatre (VA), Theatre IV (VA), Greensboro Light Opera and Song (NC), Barksdale Theatre (VA), Burning Coal Theatre (NC), Raleigh Ensemble Players (NC), Warehouse of Theatre (VA), Next Theatre (IL), The College of William and Mary (VA), Virginia Governor's School for the Performing Arts (VA), Old Dominion University (VA), Villanova Theatre Symposium (PA), SCITECH Children's Science Museum (IL), NYC International Fringe Festival (NY), Clay S. Jenkinsons’ “Shakespeare: The Magic of the Word” (VA/ WA/ Tour), Virginia Stage Company & WHRO Educational Series, Greenbeats LIVE! (VA/ Tour).
Her film production design & makeup work in short film (18 Mornings, Carmelita, Stillwater) and feature films (The Ballerina) have been screened at Cannes Film Festival, Orlando Film Festival, and have been available for limited theatrical release and streaming through RedBox and Amazon Prime.
She frequently presents scholarship on theatrical design topics at numerous conferences including ATHE, LCIR, SETC, and VTA. Jennifer is a member of USITT, OISTAT, CSA, SETC and VTA. She participates as a Design Adjudicator for USITT and KCACTF Region IV. Additionally, she has received multiple Meritorious Faculty Achievement Award in Excellence in Design for Scenic and Costume Designs through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region IV.
Her research interests have intersected with social justice movements in more recent years. Specifically, addressing wage inequity within costume professionals in the industry, awareness on topics of disability, ableism and fat-phobia within theatrical industry, as well as addressing industry standards and support for artists in transition. She is also actively working in focusing on sustainability and finding new processes within reusing, reducing, and re-crafting how we all can create sustainable art and performance.
Life in the North Country entails...enjoying exploring nature, seeking out live music & creative fun, haunted houses, adventures with family & a little grey kitty, tinkering in the garden, watching pro baseball & football and more!