The Chicago theater season is back and the Jeff Awards has four new members helping promote live theater, recognizing excellence and honoring theater artists. These enthusiastic additions to the all-volunteer organization can be found with the rest of our 50+ membership all around town taking a seat in both Equity and Non-Equity theaters.
Brittany Chhutani
is a life-long arts lover who has immersed herself in the world of theater and storytelling. A south Chicagoland native, she appreciates the artistry that goes into every aspect of theater. She started performing at the age of 5 and went on to coach high school students. Brittany holds a law degree from Howard University and is a practicing attorney in Chicago.
Gennifer Jackson
is also a life-long theater lover and has been acting since the age of 3. She has performed in numerous plays, musicals, and independent films throughout the Chicagoland area and has dabbled in voiceovers as well. Genn is a former journalist and professor. Most recently, she became the Standardized Patient Program Manager for the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago.
Bryan Peters
holds degrees in drama and education and spent more than a decade working in New York theaters and teaching drama and art in Bangkok. He has spent the last ten years teaching high school drama, English and ESL in the Chicago Public Schools and building relationships between students and performing arts organizations in Chicago. As an active global education advocate, Bryan has been part of the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, think tanks at Harvard University, and is currently a Fulbright teacher for global classrooms sponsored by the US Department of State.
Roger Pines
recently completed a 26-year tenure at the Lyric Opera of Chicago as dramaturg, program editor, and co-host/co-producer for live broadcasts. He currently teaches opera repertoire at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music as well as lectures, writes, hosts online programs and freelances with opera companies and music schools across the country. Roger has also been a panelist annually on the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts "Opera Quiz" since 2006.
Jeff Awards members come from a variety of backgrounds that give them a unique perspective to evaluate theater and ensure the integrity of our annual awards. Members are working theater artists, many with academic and training backgrounds and significant professional experience, as well as those with a history of theater involvement, and/or years of consistent theater attendance in Chicago and in other major theater capitals of the world. We are invigorated by what is happening in the world and the vital need for diverse voices in how we help champion theater excellence. We welcome all interested and qualified candidates, regardless of sex, age, ethnicity, disability, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by law.
BECOME A MEMBER
Want to learn more about being part of the Jeff Awards?
Here’s an overview on membership. If you have questions, need more information or have recommendations on prospective candidates, please reach out to us at membership@jeffawards.com. You can also check out our brief membership application online via this link. Once your application is reviewed, we will contact you and this may include an interview with the membership committee.
About The Jeff Awards
The Jeff Awards is one of the most active and engaged theater awards organizations in the country evaluating hundreds of theatrical productions annually and holding two awards ceremonies highlighting work over the past Equity and Non-Equity seasons. Through our recommendations, awards and honors, we help foster the growth of companies, encourage artists, bring new appreciation to diverse storytelling, and cultivate civic pride in the achievements of the Chicago theater community. The 50+ members belong to an all-volunteer organization supported by membership dues. For more information, visit www.jeffawards.org.