From Plano to Broadway - The Beacon News - Aurora (IL)

Patsy Harris uses three words to describe her daughter, Jenn: 'Vibrant, headstrong, and focused.''Of course, every parent is proud of their kids, but when we read the theater reviews on our daughter's performances, it simply reaffirms our confidence in her decision to act.'Patsy Harris has reason to be proud, for her daughter, a lifetime resident of Plano and 1996 graduate of Rosary High School in Aurora, has spiraled to award-winning success on Broadway.

As a child, Jenn Harris dreamed of one day going to medical school. But when she tried out for the school play, Guys and Dolls, she felt her destiny taking a whole new turn.

She credits her parents for giving her the support and courage to pursue her acting dream. 'Jenn always had a goal and always managed to reach it,' her mom said.

While in high school, Harris had been elected Student Council president her senior year, and was a three-sport athlete, participating in swimming, basketball and softball.

'What she brought to the team above all was this great positive attitude,' said Bill Shalz, Harris's swim coach for five years. 'Jenn always was a ton of energy.'

The energy that Harris exudes has begun to pay off. Far from the high school production of Guys and Dolls, she is currently rehearsing on stage with Bebe Neuwirth in her newest project, Ashley Montana Goes Ashore in the Caicos ... or What Am I Doing Here? Neuwirth is best known for her character Lilith, Frazier Crane's ex-wife on the sitcom Cheers.

But Harris's success began long before New York City, and her mother remembers well the baby steps they've all taken, including waiting at the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago in Jenn's senior year, where auditions were being held for Boston University, a prestigious theater school.

'All the stage parents were there primping and priming their children, with 8x10 glossy prints of these kids,' recalled Patsy. 'And there the Harris family sat with a snapshot we had of Jenn from high school, and not much else to bring to the table.'

But Jenn Harris got on stage and nailed the audition, received a scholarship to Boston University - and the doors to the world were opened.

While at Boston, she spent a semester overseas studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. After graduation, she headed to the Big Apple, where she landed a part in the play Modern Orthodox, which in turn catapulted her to Silence!, a parody of Silence of the Lambs.

'I was just offered the part of Clarice by the casting director,' Jenn explained. 'I never had to audition for the part. And Silence! has by far been my most challenging play, but it's still my favorite.'

The success of this play has stirred talk within the industry of possibly moving it to London in the near future. And Jenn Harris will certainly want to follow it there.

Matthew Murray, a theater critic in New York, described her performance in Silence! as a 'pert, pint-size actress who's got a personality large enough to support her matchless timing.' Also in his review Murray claimed Jenn Harris could have read the tax code and still made the play a must-see comic event.

Harris's comedic presence onstage has made quite a few good impressions. She's already won the Lucille Ortell Award, as well as the Theatre World Award, which is given to stage actors in their rookie year. Other recipients of this prestigious honor include Dustin Hoffman.

Harris also has performed a small part on Law and Order and done a few commercials. While Hollywood is always an option, she insists her real love is the stage, where she can maintain more creative control.

'What it all comes down to,' Harris concluded, 'is that I wake up every day and am lucky enough to go to a job that I always love to do. That is the biggest blessing of all.'