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Kenya King
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Perimeter College
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CLARKSTON, Ga.—Friends, colleagues, students and others from the local theatre community will gather on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College for the dedication ceremony to name the college’s Cole Auditorium stage in honor of the late Jennifer A. Jenkins.
A professional theatre costumer and enthusiast and Perimeter Fine Arts Production Manager for 38 years, Jenkins passed away in 2021 after her retirement from the college in January of that year.
“To name the stage in honor of Jennifer is the least we can do to honor her passionate dedication to Perimeter students and Atlanta’s theatre community for nearly four decades,” said Sally Robertson, Professor of Theatre and Perimeter College Fine Arts department chair.
“We’re hoping that everyone will join us for this special evening as we commemorate a beloved member of our community—the community that she loved so dearly.”
Before graduating from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s in fine arts in theatre, Jenkins graduated with an associate degree from Perimeter College, in 1974, when it was known as DeKalb College.
She retired from Perimeter in 2020, but not before earning the respect of her theatre peers and students and receiving multiple awards and recognition from the college, the arts community and beyond.
In a 2015 article, Jenkins shared that although she acted in plays as a student, she preferred being behind the scenes. In her “backstage” role, she helped Perimeter’s Theatre program evolve into the Theatre Arts Guild, a company that welcomes students, staff and community members for productions. She also took on the role as advisor to the Drama Club—a group she started as a DeKalb College student in the 1970s.
Jenkins commanded a powerful presence in the professional Atlanta theatre community and was a strong advocate for theatre. This prompted her family, close friends and colleagues to establish the Jennifer A. Jenkins Memorial Fund with the help of Perimeter’s development office.
“From the beginning, there was no doubt that the Jennifer Jenkins fund would succeed,” said Victoria Dorsey, Perimeter College senior director of development.
“It was inspiring to see how lovingly and passionately former and current students, colleagues, family and friends—and the Atlanta arts community got behind this initiative.”
More than $100,000 was raised for a variety of theatre initiatives, including a travel fund to connect students with theatre experiences outside the campus, and to lend support to play and musical productions.
“It ensures that we create a lasting memory in honor of our dear friend, Jennifer,” Robertson said.
The stage naming ceremony for Jennifer Jenkins will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Perimeter College Cole Auditorium, 3735 Memorial College Ave. in Clarkston at 7 p.m.—just before the curtains rise on the college’s fall performance of "Mr. Burns, a post-electric play,” which is recommended for ages 13 and older. The community is invited to the stage name ribbon cutting as well as the play. To RSVP for the ribbon cutting visit tag.tix.com.
Perimeter’s theatre department is also dedicating the evening to any and all theatre alumni who’ve ever been involved with a show at the college. For alumni night tickets and to purchase tickets to all performances, visit the theatre ticket site, tag.tix.com or call 678-891-3572.