Jenny MacDonald
Jenny MacDonald has over 12 years of experience in producing fearless and thought provoking plays whilst working with the finest emerging writers and creative teams.
From 2002 – 2006 she was one of the team at Theatre 503 in Battersea, London, a hot-house for new writing and discovering the foremost artists of tomorrow. During her four years at the theatre the team premiered over 50 of the most exciting writers of their generation, including Dennis Kelly, Phil Porter, Duncan Macmillan, Rebecca Prichard, Chris Lee, Trevor Williams and Jennifer Farmer. In 2004 Theatre 503 won the Peter Brook/Empty Space Up and Coming VenueAward and in 2006 was nominated for a Time Out Live Award. In less than 4 years Theatre 503 had established itself as a crucial part of the ecology of new writing in the capital and earned itself the wonderful quote:
‘Arguably the most important theatre in Britain today’ The Guardian
From 2007 to date Jenny has been producing both in the West End and Touring, including the critically acclaimed and Time Out ‘Best Show in London’ BASH by Neil LaBute at the Trafalgar Studios, West End, directed by Tamara Harvey and assisting on many more great plays. Please see the theatre page for more information.
In 2009-2010 she worked with Greg Ripley-Duggan (Producer, Hampstead Theatre) on the FIVE star touring production Spike Milligan’s – Adolf Hitler: My Part In His Downfall. Adapted for the stage by Ben Power and Tim Carroll. Winner of the WHATS ON STAGE 2010 AWARD for Best Regional Touring Production. The play opened in Bristol and toured for 18 months and also played at the Hampstead Theatre, London for four weeks. Ask Jenny anything you want to know about tanks and armoured vehicles and she will tell you as over 20 were used to promote the play all over the country!
In 2012, as Associate Producer she worked on A MEMORY, A MONOLOGUE, A RANT AND A PRAYER (MMRP) in association with RESTLESS BUDDHA in the London’s West End, raising over £170,000 for various charities including Women for Women International. MMRP starred Eve Ensler, Thandie Newton, Trudie Styler, Rosario Dawson, Tom Burke, Meerya Syal, Myanna Buring to name but a few! Please see the theatre page for more information. Jenny is now part of the team at Restless Buddha. RESTLESS BUDDHA are cultural producers working in collaboration with prominent talent across a broad spectrum of arts. Our projects embrace the power of art to do good and raise social awareness. Please visit our Restless Buddha website: http://restlessbuddha.com/home/
The second half of 2012 to date: Jenny has been working with Eve Ensler, Thandie Newton, Monique Wilson and Stella Creasy MP on One Billion Rising (OBR). OBR is an international coalition of campaigners speaking out for action to end violence against girls and women across the world. On 14th February 2013 after a media photo call in Parliament Square the OBR ‘Break the Chain’ song was performed by flash mob dancers (including Jenny and Thandie!) in front of Parliament and all over London as well as in over 200 countries worldwide!
Jenny has also worked in film and television, both in front of the screen and behind! She produced the short film Last Laugh, written and directed by Sue Dunderdale (Head of RADA) and starring Frances Barber and Doreen Mantle. Last Laugh, part lottery funded by Screen South, enjoyed success on the International Festival Circuit, including Cannes International Film Festival and Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Ness Valley Productions are currently in pre-production for a two month run of four popular Children’s stories for the West End, London over Christmas 2013 and 2 major plays for next year.