RespectAbility Entertainment Professionals Lab 2024
Jennifer Berry
Jennifer Berry is an award-winning screenwriter/director and playwright based in Los Angeles. In 2020 Berry was awarded The California Distinguished Achievement in the Arts by Congressman Adam Shift. Her short film The Exchange was the opening short film at The Madrid International Film Festival 2020. Her film Motherload is in post-production.
All of Berry’s films are produced with 90% female/non-binary cast and crew while also using additional crew with disabilities.
Berry’s noted play Big Pharma toured nationally for five years. Berry is the author of several additional plays including Ojalá, which had its premiere at Casa 0101in Los Angeles. Ojalá was later optioned as a screenplay. Her play After, All was produced at The Pasadena Playhouse and will be adapted into a feature film. Her play The Maid’s Daughters was a semi-finalist at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference. Berry has been featured in Ms. Magazine and several other feminist publications. Most recently, Berry’s monologue from her play This is How it Begins and Ends is featured in “The Best Women’s Stage Monologues 2023.”
Also well versed in directing operas, Berry was named resident stage director for the Colorado Opera Troupe’s productions of Carmen, Otello, and Salome, in which she created original script adaptations while incorporating dance, music and text.
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After an extensive search and interview process, 25 individuals were invited to participate in the Virtual Cohort of RespectAbility’s 2024 Entertainment Lab taking place May 7 – September 24, 2024. This 5-month Lab aims to develop and elevate the talent pipeline of disabled entertainment professionals working behind-the-scenes in television, film, and streaming, while connecting them with industry professionals and creatives. Participants include people with physical, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and other disabilities ranging in age from people in their 20’s through their 60’s. The Lab is a recipient of The Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award.
