Get to know the judges of SSSSPOTY 2025: CHAIR OF JUDGES - JENNA RUSSELL

Jenna Russell to chair the panel of judges - and award first prize - at Stephen Sondheim student competition

Jenna Russell is a Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society. This year, Jenna will be Chair of Judges for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition. She will also continue in the role of Prize-Giver, having been passed the baton from her friend and fellow Sondheim Society Patron Julia McKenzie.

Jenna is an award-winning actress with an extensive range of television and theatre credits to her name. Her accolades include both an Olivier Award and Theatre World Award for Broadway Debut Performance playing Dot in Sunday In The Park with George, which she performed in London and on Broadway. She was also nominated for both a Tony and Drama Desk Award for that role. She has received Olivier Award Nominations for her performances as Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along and Sarah Brown opposite Ewan McGregor in Guys and Dolls.

She is soon to be starring as Maureen in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – a new musical adapted by Rachel Joyce from her own multi million-selling novel, with music and lyrics by Passenger – at the Chichester Festival Theatre, followed by a trip to Japan to play Muriel Eubanks in a concert production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Recent theatre credits include a concert performance of Sondheim on Sondheim at Alexandra Palace, the role of Irene Molloy in Dominic Cooke’s production of Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium, Ada Harris in Flowers for Mrs Harris, Susan in Woman in Mind, Mill in Furthest from the Furthest Thing, Carrie in Steve, Piaf in Piaf, Helen in Fun Home, Mephistopheles in Dr Faustus starring opposite Kit Harington, Little Edie in Grey Gardens with Sheila Hancock (long-listed for 2016 Best Musical Performance, Evening Standard Theatre Awards), and Bart Simpson in Mr Burns.

Jenna has played leading roles at The National Theatre, Royal Court, RSC and Almeida Theatre as well as many other West End credits.

Jenna’s TV credits include Michelle Fowler in EastEnders, Midsomer Murders, Gentleman Jack, Call the Midwife, The Paradise and Holby City. Jenna also played the leading roles of Deborah in Born and Bred (four series), Maggie in On The Up (three series), Bernadette in Picking Up The Pieces (one series) And Petra in the 2009 version of Minder alongside EastEnders actor Shane Ritchie (one series). Films include The Death and Life of J Donovan with Natalie Portman and Mortdecia with Ewan McGregor. Jenna also sings the theme tune for Red Dwarf.

TV credits include: Ten Percent (Amazon), The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC) and Bridgerton (Netflix). Radio: Nazis: The Road to Power (BBC Radio 4).

Jenna will be the Acting Chair of Judges, owing to our regular Chair, Edward Seckerson having a prior engagement.

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