Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Coe.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been a storyteller and a performer. When I was a little girl, I’d put on performances for my parents, singing or dancing along to my favorite princess songs. Eventually, living room performances became school shows, and toddler scribbles turned into my first attempts at stories. Despite my burgeoning passion for storytelling, however, I hadn’t considered it as a possible career. I wanted to be a neurosurgeon. However, one summer changed everything. Orlando Rep (now Orlando Family Stage) announced their summer Youth Academy show would be Beauty and the Beast. As a Disney Renaissance kid, I’d long been deeply obsessed with the movie, and the opportunity to be in the show itself was truly a dream come true. After weeks of working with my teachers on my song and monologue, I auditioned and was cast as a villager/wolf. Over the course of the following two months, I learned so much about what theatre can be, and I fell in love. By summer’s end, I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and I never wavered in that decision, graduating years later with my degree in Theatre.
After graduation, I threw myself into the whirlwind of auditions, landing roles in plays ranging from Shakespeare to modern dramas. It felt like things were starting to take off… then the pandemic hit. As the world shut down, so did theatre. The budding career I’d already sacrificed so much for disappeared, leaving me feeling lost. I moved back home to Orlando, and I began to rebuild my life and my career. I found work in virtual productions and digital sketch comedy series. I made friends along the way, but I still didn’t feel like I’d found my place.
One day, Kimberly DiPersia, one of the heads of the sketch comedy series I’d worked on, reached out. She had founded her own production company, All the Line Studio and Incubator, and she was putting together a staged reading of her own feature length screenplay called “Ten Years: A Love Cycle.” She asked me to be part of the cast, and I said yes. I’ve been involved with All the Line nearly ever since, participating in many staged readings over the past two years.
Through All the Line, I found my confidence as an actor again. I became connected to other local filmmakers, landing roles in several projects. I started writing again as well. Earlier this year, I wrote and starred in a rom-com short called “The Line Between” as part of the Organization of Independent Filmmakers’ 2025 Blaze Challenge, winning Best Leading Actress in a Rom-Com. Currently, I’m wrapping up post-production on “First Stab,” a horror comedy short I wrote that’s premiering this fall as part of OIF’s Reel Challenge. I also have several other scripts in development, including a horror thriller short and the feature length version of “The Line Between.” It’s still so surreal looking back over the past couple of years, realizing just how much has changed so fast. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by so many incredible artists, and I’m excited to see what the next chapter holds.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been very difficult. I’m still at a point where my primary source of income isn’t from writing or performing, and it’s hard to juggle working traditional jobs with acting. The schedules often clash, and some jobs are less understanding than others. It can also be hard to keep energy and inspiration flowing after working a regular shift to write or work on other projects.
Additionally, for every yes, there are dozens if not hundreds of nos. It’s an unescapable part of the business, but it can be discouraging, especially considering the hours of work that go into every audition.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As both an actor and a writer, I love stories that make people think, that challenge perceptions and thoughtfully subvert expectations. As a writer specifically, I’ve become known for my twists, regardless of the genre in which I’m writing. However, I never want to throw in a twist for its own sake. Each one is intentionally crafted to serve the larger story.
While there are moments throughout my career that bring me joy, what I’m proudest of are the moments when I faced my most difficult challenges. I’ve tried to shift my mindset to perceive obstacles as opportunities to be creative and grow. It’s hard, and there are certainly times when I feel the weight of what I’m facing. However, I believe there’s always a way through a challenge, and that mentality has helped me persevere over the years.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
There are so many groups and events on social media for nearly every interest, as well as online forums. Getting plugged into those groups is the easiest way to start opening doors. For me, I try to network often, whether that’s on a job or at a specific event. I’m prepared to talk about what I’m working on at the moment and long term, but I try to focus on asking questions and learning as much as I can. There are also many wonderful people out there who are happy to let you pick their brain over coffee or a meal. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and you’ll never know where it will lead!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @stageandpage
Image Credits
All the Line Studio and Incubator, Scot Lerner
