Jeanne Averill

Jeanne Averill  has been a professional actress  and award winning educator for more than 25 years. She has appeared in almost every professional venue in Kansas City, getting her start at our own Coterie Theater in roles such as Marmee in Little Women and Ma in the Little House on the Prairie plays.  In addition to Kansas City theaters such as The Coterie, Kansas City Rep, Kansas City Actors Theater, New Theater Restaurant,  and American Heartland Theater, she has also appeared in national theaters such as The Denver Performing Arts Center and the Black Hills Playhouse.   She has an extensive resume in film and commercials and has appeared in national films with actors such as Martin Sheen, Patty Duke, John Hurt, Ari Graynor, Colin Hanks, and Jeffrey Tambor, among others.  Commercial credits include Hallmark, Harrahs, Walmart, Applebees,  Intrust  Bank, and many others.

Jeanne holds  a BS in education and an MA in theater, both from the University of Kansas. During her career she has been awarded the Kansas Theater Teacher of the Year, the Lawrence Secondary Teacher of the Year, and was a semi-finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year.  She was also awarded the AATE (American Alliance for Theater in Education) National Theater Teacher of the Year.  Much of Jeanne’s advanced teaching artist training has been through the Kennedy Center Arts Partnership program with the Lied Center and Lawrence School District.

Jeanne is currently continuing her professional acting career and teaching acting and film classes in the Lawrence and Kansas City area. She is thrilled to return to the Coterie family as a performer and educator.