Q&A: Jenna Leigh Miller, Actress, Theatre & Brand Coach and Social Media Manager

Jenna Miller wears many hats as an NYC-based actress, theatre and brand coach, and social media manager. While today she’s active in many facets of the theatre, she knew this was the place she was destined to be. Singing from the time she could talk, it was a fateful field trip to see Beauty and the Beast that sealed her desire to pursue musical theatre, and turned what has become a lifelong passion into a career. Having taken on roles including Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray), the Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods) and Sour Kangaroo (Seussical), Jenna has found home on the stage.

When she’s not on stage—or sharing social media tips—you can find her watching Gilmore Girls, sipping on an iced chai latte, or doing a one-women production of any given musical in front of her mirror at home.

I caught up with Jenna to hear just what makes this path so special to her. 

Q: How did you get into performing and when did you realize it was something you wanted to pursue professionally?

Jenna: I have been performing and singing since I was a tot and started singing when I was three years old! The moment I knew I wanted to be an actress was after a Brownies trip (yes, like Girl Scouts) to New York City where we saw Beauty and the Beast. My mom was a chaperone and she said my back never touched the red velvet seats because I was leaned in the entire show. On the way out of the theatre I told my mom, ‘I’m going to do that one day.’ The rest is history!

Q: Out of the roles you have played, has there been a role that challenged you, or caused you to learn something from the character you were playing?

Jenna: Every time I play Tracy Turnblad (Hairspray) I learn something new about myself, or find a new facet in what it means to stand up what is right and also what self love really is.

The role that truly changed me was the Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). At Otterbein University, where I got my BFA in Musical Theatre, they do their season’s auditions the semester before the production. In December we had auditions and I was cast as the Baker’s Wife as a Sophomore. Yes, I was just as shocked as you are! Over that winter break I lost my father and when I went back to school we started rehearsals for the show. If you can believe it, our first rehearsal was a run through. When I got to, “Sometimes people leave you halfway through the woods. Do not let it grieve you, no one leaves for good.” I was a MESS! The cast was a MESS! But, that show was how I grieved through the pain of losing a parent. It was more than a musical. It was a challenge and a blessing at the same time. Little did I know it was exactly what I needed, when I needed it.

Q: The pandemic has definitely been a challenge for the theatre industry as a whole this past year. What is something you are looking forward to once theaters start to reopen?

Jenna: AUDITIONS! I am so excited to see how auditions change for the better. Especially for Non-Equity folks! I think the classic Open Calls that we are used to will not be the norm for a while.

Q: What is a word or phrase that describes how theatre makes you feel when you are performing?

Jenna: When I am performing I feel like I’m radiating, like my energy is shining out of my body. Anyone who performs knows when everything is clicking just right and it’s intoxicating! Intoxicating is a great word for what I feel when a cast is really ON.

When she’s not on stage, Jenna is buzzing on social media, sharing tips and tricks for how to boost your online presence. She offers a variety of social media management services.

For a full range of Jenna’s social media services, you can find them on her website.

In addition to her work as an actress and social media manager, Jenna is also the founder and CEO of her own small business, Problem Solved by Jenna. Problem Solved offers theatre and brand coaching, helping performers present their best selves in the digital age. 

Q: How did Problem Solved by Jenna come about?

Jenna: When I was in college, my friends kept asking me if I would help them find auditions. Or they would say, oh I really loved that song you sang in class, can you help me find some new material? That’s when I realized, this could be a business! I started selling my Non-Equity Theatre List, and got such great feedback I decided to sell Audition Book Re-Vamps and Monologues Packages. Now I sell over six services, two e-courses, and five products—this list is always expanding! Helping other artists has always been one of my core values. That has been true from day one until now and one of the reasons I created the #ArtistsSupportingArtists hashtag.

Q: Are there any qualities from your background in theatre that have helped you in your social media work and brand coaching?

Jenna: OMG, YES times a million! I think theatre and social media go hand in hand. One can help the other so much in terms of creating a recognizable brand, and on the other hand social media and online footage can help propel your career much faster than someone who is off the grid.

Of course, as a brand coach and social media manager, you can find Jenna online! To keep up with Jenna, you can find her online, on Instagram @jennaleighmiller, Facebook @jennaleighmiller and LiketoKnow.it @jennaleighmiller.

You can also find Problem Solved by Jenna online, on Instagram @problemsolvedbyjenna, Facebook @problemsolvedbyjenna, and Pinterest @problemsolvedbyjenna.