Encompass Collective
Co-Founded with Francesca Fernandez McKenzie, Julian Elijah Martinez, and Sohina Sidhu. We are Yale Drama trained actors creating an affinity Global Majority community offering classes, workshops, and productions at accessible pricing. Check out the courses section for classes with me!
Coaching
I’m available to coach your next audition or help guide you through your budding career! For now, all over Zoom. I can be your reader and help you tell the story with as little pain and as much fun as possible. I have lots of experience coaching for MFA Acting programs and have almost 18 years of experience in this business. Reach out for rates.
Sliding scale available to Global Majority folx.
what people are saying
Teddy Q.
“Jenelle guides her actors with a deep interest in the complexity of their identity. Actors need to be in touch with themselves to take on the responsibility of telling other’s stories. She offered me an insight into her process as an actor, and inspired me to listen to my spirit. Jenelle is a generous teacher who will not only unlock resistance in an actor’s process, but also assists their growth with specificity. She taught me to work along my fear and embrace the unknown in the life of an artist.”
Jasmine W.
“Jenelle cares more about growing us, rather than stroking or soothing our egos. And I think that's a lesson all of us actors need to learn at some point on our journeys. She says the things that are sometimes hard to hear, but necessary. Hell, someone needs to say it to us! Those are the people who *really* love us! I feel Jenelle's honesty at all moments, because what she's here for is the craft and the work -- and it reminds me that's why I must be in this room too. She also wants to prepare us for the real world. She ALSO reminds us that this class is OUR LABORATORY, an open experiment, and for us to GO FOR IT. To not ASK for permission. And that when we go too far, it's her job to tell us. As a woman of color, I need to hear that. Jenelle cares about us and her love for me is also her challenge to me. That's a beautiful damned thing. Love and accountability, one and the same.”
Seth F.
“Jenelle is like a magic acting guru genie. She knows when something is not truthful and can pinpoint any false iotas of presentational acting. She is able to quickly assess the sides of the project and diagnose the type of archetype and genre casting is looking for while also putting a main emphasis on intention, raising the stakes, and freedom for the actor to try things out, which is super important for me as I need to feel comfortable enough to play while being pushed, Jenelle finds that balance. Whether it's a co-star, guest star, or series regular audition, she always finds something within the text I have overlooked that makes the audition more fun and interesting as opposed to doing the bare minimum. She meets you where you are while also pushing you beyond what you're capable of to ensure your best performance, Most of the time other coaches will hold back what they are really thinking to try and just get an okay performance but that is not the case with Jenelle as she wants you be aware of what you can do better so even if you don't book the role you will learn for the next time. I recommend Jenelle one thousand and ten percent. Also not only is she a great nurturing coach, she is also a great actress so in your tapes you will be able to receive from her thus making the performance that much more potent. You will thank me later once you book a session with her to understand what I'm raving about. I'm very grateful to have found Jenelle and plan on coaching all my tapes with her :)”
Andres S.
“I loved Jenelle! I thought she was brilliant, empathetic, AND motivational. We the actors/students are here to discover and learn about ourselves and under the right mentorship I believe anyone can become a great artist. However, that puts a hefty responsibility on the instructor. Some people cower away from that responsibility, Jenelle leaned in and was brave. Jenelle provided us with information, perspective, a safe space to grow, and did not sacrifice her integrity in doing so. I clicked on my zoom link ready and eager to learn. Thank you, Jenelle, for such a fresh take on an acting studio.”
“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others.”
— Michelle Obama, Becoming