M.F.A., Baylor University, 2000
B.M., Southwest Baptist University, 1997

Theatre, specializing in directing and musical theatre.

The Lincoln Center Theater Director’s Lab:

Selected as a participant with the LCT lab in New York in 2009. The LCT Web site describes the lab as: “a developmental program for nurturing stage directors from around the country and around the world. It is a series of workshops, readings, rehearsals, investigations, roundtable discussions and studio productions to provide young directors with an intensive study of their craft while fostering collaborative relationships among a peer community of artists.” Though hundreds apply, only 60 are selected. At the Lincoln Center for three weeks during the summer of 2009, Hunter worked with well-known directors, artists, playwrights and equity actors under the leadership of Andre Bishop, artistic director.

Grand Rapids Theatre Awards:

Outstanding Collegiate Director nominee for “The Turn of the Screw” (2009), “Bright Ideas” (2007) and “The Woman in Black” (2005) and winner for “The Pirates of Penzance” (2007).
Best College Production nominee for “The Turn of the Screw” (2009), “Bright Ideas” (2007), “The Woman in Black” (2005) and “The Man Who Came to Dinner” (2002) and winner for “The Pirates of Penzance” (2007) and “The Secret Garden” (2002).
Outstanding Service Award, Cornerstone University. For continuing excellence in directing theatre productions and for helping to raise the caliber and significance of the arts on campus and in the community. Spring 2004.
Hypatia Award, Cornerstone University Humanities Department. For excellence in involvement and direction of theatre at Cornerstone and in the community. Fall 2003.

What can students expect from your classes?

Students can expect to practice and perfect their talent in the classroom and translate it to the stage. A variety of studies are offered within the major. Here is a sampling of some popular classes:

Music theatre performance workshop
Play directing
Ballet
Stagecraft, production and management
Broadway dance
Acting and directing Shakespeare

Of all the classes that you may teach, which one are you most passionate about?

Theatre practicum: This is a class offered during the short two-week J-term period. A group of students joins together and collaborates as a unified company to carry out all aspects of putting on a stage production, including acting, assistant directing, stage managing, set construction, lighting, costumes, sound, props, make-up and promotion. The students love it!

Know your strengths and weaknesses and strive for excellence in your craft. At Cornerstone, we embrace the artistry in every student, foster the growth of the individual and bring to light the creative gifts that glorify God. We exalt the ultimate creator when we, in his likeness, create theatre to represent and mirror life that challenges our actors and the audience. “God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold, loving and sensible” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Where were you born or raised?

Des Moines, Iowa.

Family information:

Jason Hunter, film historian, Mr. Mom and loving husband
Madeline, 7, precocious, sensitive, loving and creative
Savanah, 6, stubborn, serious, affectionate and determined
Ava, 4, diva, star; adventurous and devious
Emerson, 2, baby, screamer and “big girl”; sassy
Lulu, calico cat, owns and runs the house

I love summers! I take the kids to the pool, the family spends time in Iowa with both sets of grandparents and I usually direct a production at Circle Theatre. I like to sing and act on stage, and I make “my return” every few years. I also have a love/hate relationship with dark chocolate.

Who is a person from your field of study whom you identify with and why?

Lillian Hellman: Although she was a playwright and not a director, she overcame substantial difficulties being a female in theatre. She attacked injustice, exploitation and selfishness in her famous plays “The Children’s Hour” (1934), “The Little Foxes” (1939) and “Toys in the Attic” (1960). She was also a long-time friend and literary executor of author Dorothy Parker.

“The theatre will wait for you, but it will not want you if you don’t know what is going on there” (Francis Hodge).

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." 1 Peter 4:10

Cornerstone allows me to follow my passion: working with students in theatre.

616.949.5300 ext. 1326

Jennifer/Hunter|cornerstone/edu