Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenna Taylor Nelson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jenna, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

When I was in seventh grade, I watched the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special, and it sparked my passion for comedy and performance. I immediately told my dad that I wanted to take a comedy class, and he enrolled me at The Second City in Chicago, as we lived in the suburbs. I began taking classes there, which laid the foundation for my interest in comedy.

In high school, I further developed my skills through my speech team, where I wrote and performed original comedic scripts. I also spent time writing sketches for fun in my free time. Recognizing my passion, my dad enrolled me in additional classes at The Second City during my junior and senior years. Looking back, I realize I could have continued my training there while living in Chicago to further refine my craft.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about performing—especially in comedy—is the importance of listening to your scene partner. If you’re too focused on getting a laugh, it often doesn’t translate to the audience. Instead, the strongest performances come when everyone on stage works to support one another. The biggest challenge in comedy is resisting the urge to chase a laugh rather than building on the foundation of the scene and reacting authentically to your peers. When the focus remains on the scene’s circumstances and organic humor rather than forcing a joke, the performance becomes far more compelling.

Jenna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’d love to share a bit about myself! I was born in Munster, Indiana, and later moved with my family to Lockport, Illinois, where I grew up and attended school. My introduction to performing came in second grade when my mom enrolled me in a dance class. Although being on stage made me nervous, I quickly realized that those nerves were something I could embrace—they pushed me to grow and build confidence. I continued dancing through my senior year of high school, training in various styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and pointe. However, tap remained my favorite, thanks to my incredible teacher, Rhonda Moore. Despite growing up in a hockey-loving family, I always felt drawn to performing.

My passion for acting began when I watched the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special. Inspired, I decided to pursue acting and took classes at The Second City in Chicago, where I fell in love with comedy and improvisation. I highly recommend Second City to anyone looking to explore improv or comedic performance—it was a transformative experience for me. This passion ultimately led me to study Theatre at Columbia College Chicago. While there, I explored different aspects of storytelling, including writing and directing. Given the choice between a playwriting or directing class, I chose directing—and it became one of my favorite experiences.

I believe storytelling has the power to make people feel seen and included. Some of the most profound moments I’ve had as an artist come from watching a film and seeing parts of myself reflected in it. Art is a form of communication, a way to share the most vulnerable parts of ourselves. Currently, I’m writing a feature film about mental health based on my own life. My goal is to create something that resonates with others, offering a sense of connection and understanding. If I can accomplish that, there’s nothing more rewarding.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Having the opportunity to tell compelling stories that resonate with people on a deep level is incredibly powerful. When audiences connect with your work—whether because they see themselves in it, find inspiration, or simply feel moved—it’s a profound experience. True recognition comes not just from visibility, but from creating something meaningful that fosters connection.

Ultimately, storytelling should be driven by a genuine passion for sharing a part of yourself with the world. It’s about contributing to a larger conversation, offering perspectives, and making others feel seen. The most impactful work comes from those who create not for fame, but for the love of the craft and the desire to bring stories to life in a way that truly matters.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey is a deep desire to tell stories that make people feel seen, understood, and less alone. Some of the most profound moments in my life have come from watching films or performances that reflected my own experiences or emotions—sometimes in ways I didn’t even realize I needed. I want to create that same kind of impact for others.

I’m especially drawn to stories that explore vulnerability, identity, and the complexities of human connection. One film that deeply resonated with me is Marriage Story. It beautifully captures the loss of a meaningful relationship between two people who still love each other but ultimately grow apart due to their differences. I’ve experienced a relationship ending in a similar way—while we weren’t married, I connected deeply to the love and emotional depth the characters shared. That film made me feel seen and less alone, and it reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling. If a film can do that for me, I know I can create work that does the same for others.

That’s why I’m currently writing a feature film about mental health based on my own life. I know how important it is to see your struggles represented on screen, and I want to contribute stories that offer that sense of connection. For me, storytelling isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about communication. It’s about reaching people in ways that words alone sometimes can’t. My goal is to create work that lingers with people, sparks conversation, and reminds them they’re not alone in what they’re feeling. If I can do that, then I’m on the right path.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennataylornelson/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-taylor-nelson-ba8440206
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrcszKGCQ3m9P6gZX7pXhow
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm12135890/