Jeannine Otis

Jeannine Otis ( Jahneen) (Wellesley College BA with honors, Emerson College MA with honors teaching Fellow) continues to enjoy a successful and eclectic career .Her jazz roots spring from her family history including the late Adrienne Otis, Elaine Jones, Thad Jones, and Hank Jones have all served as a source of inspiration in her work. She has worked for many years as an educational consultant for arts programming including: the Department of Cultural Affairs, The Staten Island Museum, SUNDOG Theater, ENACT, The Creative Arts Team at NYU, Marymount College, The Universal Temple of the Arts, Music for Many, Arts Horizons, in Japan and Austria and it continues. Jeannine was the Artistic Director for Safari East Cultural Productions for two decades. They performed and led educational workshops and programs in many places including: Lincoln Center Just for Kids Series, The Jazz Foundation, The CAPS (Creative Achievement Program in the Schools), a citywide program sponsored by the UNITED WAY, workshops in London with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers of London, and many more.
As a performer Jeannine/Jahneen has been featured on many recordings as well as onstage. Her jazz recordings as a featured artist include being featured on REED SEED( a # 1 Billboard Jazz-Chart Hit) with the late Grover Washington, INTO MY HEART released in 2020 and MAGIC SONG with Finnish Composer Laureate, Heikki Sarmanto and the Helsinki Philharmonic ( Also re-released as JEANNINE OTIS and THE STRINGS OF THE HELSINKI PHILHARMONIC). These recordings are being enjoyed by listeners which all over the world . As a performer she as hailed by New York Times critic Anthony Tomassini as a ‘showstopper ‘ for her performance in THE CRADLE WILL ROCK . She has been involved in Theater for Change for decades and has worked in many settings including work with Elizabeth Swados, Eve Ensler James Lescene , Elliot Goldenthal and Julie Taymor,. She was a co-director for Freedom Train for Tony winning Theatreworks USA for 18 years. FREEDOM TRAIN travelled the country and was performed ]at TOWN HALL, the FOX Theater in ATLANTA, and The Grand Ole Opry. She also works on performance events with the Rural and Migrant Ministries Outreach for the Episcopal Church. She recently directed the successful touring production of ‘ A NEW YORK LAMENTATION’ by Rev Chuck Kramer about slavery in NY and it’s relationship to the history of the Episcopal Church This project was sponsored by the Reparations Committee of the Episcopal Church. Jeannine was awarded the Bishop’s Cross from the Episcopal Diocese of New York City for her work using the performing arts as a tool for social outreach.
Recently Jeannine was awarded a CITY ARTIST CORP Grant to present LIVING WITH HOPE, a collection of original poetry based by writers over 50 . The piece was written as part of a workshop sponsored by Staten Island Arts in July of 2021, She is the recipient of many awards including a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD from the City Council of New York, a ‘Willie’ Award for her work with the Staten Island Shakespeare Theater on the production of DOUBT , awards for her extensive work as a music director/outreach coordinator at Saint Marks Church in-the Bowery, the William A. Morris Humanitarian Award from the NAACP, and recognition from the Wellelsey Alumnae Association. Her book, ‘ little book “the Gathering: words from an Urban Community has been presented as a contemporary classical piece entitled WHO AM I that uses spoken word pieces as the inspiration. The piece has been performed in Houston, Texas, at The La Ma Ma Theatre and at the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian 8/18/2019 and features celebrated performer Anthony Turner. Her piece that celebrates THREE KINGS written with the Elizabeth Swados mentor/friend and Lois Bohevesky, Hudson Vagabond Puppet Company, has been presented in various settings for many years to celebrate the holiday As a part of this performance food and gifts are distributed to the families living in Homeless Shelters who are the primary audience.