Remembering Morgan Jenness

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The Sands College of Performing Arts community mourns the passing of Morgan Jenness, a cherished member of our adjunct faculty whose profound impact was deeply felt by students, faculty, staff, and the performing arts community. Morgan's contributions to Sands College extended beyond the classroom, touching the lives of all who had the privilege to learn from or work alongside them.

Morgan was a visionary artist, educator, and mentor who enriched our academic community with experience, insight, and passion. Before joining our faculty, Morgan's tenure at The Public Theater, under the leadership of both George C. Wolfe and Joseph Papp, marked a period of remarkable achievement. Morgan held pivotal roles as literary manager, Director of Play Development, and Associate Producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival, helping shape American theater's cultural landscape. Morgan also served as Associate Artistic Director at the New York Theatre Workshop and Associate Director at the Los Angeles Theater Center, bringing new projects to life and fostering the voices of emerging playwrights and artists.

Morgan's work extended far beyond these celebrated institutions. They collaborated with organizations such as the Young Playwrights Festival, the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Victory Gardens, Hartford Stage, and many others, working as a dramaturg, workshop director, and artistic consultant. As an advocate for new works, Morgan’s influence was felt across the country, including through their roles with the National Endowment for the Arts and NYSCA (New York State Council on the Arts), where they served on peer panels and as a site evaluator for nearly a decade.

Honored with numerous accolades throughout their career, Morgan received an Obie Award Special Citation for Longtime Support of Playwrights in 2003 and the prestigious G.E. Lessing Award for Career Achievement from the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas in 2015. They were also the recipient of a 2015 Doris Duke Impact Award, recognizing their enduring contributions to the arts.

For over a decade, Morgan’s warmth, intellectual rigor, and generosity of spirit deeply shaped the education of our students. Their passion for theater history, combined with a wealth of professional experience, fostered a classroom environment that was both inspiring and enlightening.

Our thoughts are with Morgan’s family, friends, and all who were touched by their brilliance and kindness. In memory of Morgan Jenness, we honor a life devoted to knowledge, creativity, and generosity, and we extend heartfelt gratitude for all they gave to our community. Morgan’s legacy will forever live on in the countless lives they touched.