Originally from northern Ohio and based in Oxford, MS, Jennifer Mizenko is a Professor Emerita from The University of Mississippi with 30+ years of teaching and choreography experience. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College, and an M.A. in dance from The Ohio State University. Jenniferis a certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst, Alexander Technique Teacher, and Yoga Instructor. Her expanded studies include period dance with Wendy Hilton and Richard Powers, the work of Jerzy Growtoski with the Teatr Piesn Kozla in Poland, Anna-Helena McLean Artistic Director of the Moon Fool Company in the UK, and the Michael Chekhov acting technique with the international organization MICHA. Most recently she has studied Kestenburg Movement Profiling, the principles of Theatrical Intimacy with Theatrical Intimacy Educators, and the arts of the island of Bali with the Dell’Arte International – School of Physical Theatre.
Her choreographic work has been recognized by The American College Dance Association 3 times. She was a finalist for the Excellence in Community Engagement Finalist for Service, and recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Alliance for Arts in Education. She is a member of the Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Roster, and has published numerous articles as well as a textbook related to character physicalization. She has collaborated with The University of Mississippi Slavery Research Group, composer Damein Wash, Political Scientist Harry Clor, and sculpture artist Gregory Shellnut. She has been an artist in residence at Hendrix College, Ita Bena Public School District, Kenyon College and Northwestern University.
Jennifer has 3 decades of experience choreographing modern dance, musicals, period plays, and site-specific works. She works with movers of all abilities and ages and specializes in works that emphasize community engagement. Her influences are Bill T. Jones, Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, and Jerzy Grotowski.