Jenise Cook is a storyteller, movement artist, intimacy director and Buffy the Vampire Slayer enthusiast whose work has taken her to stages across the country. She holds an MFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and a BFA in Theatre Performance from Michigan State University. With a deep love for storytelling in all its forms, Jenise brings a spirit of joy and collaboration to her work. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and has a passion for new and devised works, often seeking out opportunities to explore fresh narratives and push creative boundaries.  Her versatility extends into puppetry, having worked as a puppeteer on the UK children's television program Moon and Me, created by Andrew Davenport

 

Jenise is the Assistant Professor of Theatre - Performance at the University of Central Missouri, where she helps shape and empower the next generation of theater-makers. She is a member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers and was honored with the 2024 Acting Teacher of Excellence award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival - Region 5. . Alongside her teaching, she is in the process of receiving teaching certification in the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique through the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium.

 

Jenise's work extends beyond artistic expression—it is grounded in her advocacy for artists and her dedication to reshaping the theater-making process into one that prioritizes consent and respect for everyone involved. She is committed to dismantling practices that have historically caused harm to artists, particularly those from marginalized communities. With a passion for creating culturally conscious spaces for BIPOC artists, she establishes environments built on open communication, respect, and joy.

 

Drawing on her background in movement, and specialized training in consent, trauma-informed practices, and communication, Jenise advocates for the well-being and respect of her fellow collaborators. Her mission is to elevate both the artist and the art by cultivating spaces of equity and belonging, where theater-makers can feel empowered to explore vulnerability and creativity in a brave, supportive atmosphere.