April 11, 2025
Columbia College is thrilled to welcome home one of its most accomplished alumnae, Tony Award-nominated actress Jenn Colella, for a special evening of conversation and celebration. The Columbia College Alumni Association will present “An Evening with Jenn Colella” on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Spears Center for the Arts.
Colella, a 1996 graduate and a Summerville, SC native, will return to the very stage where she once performed as a student for a heartfelt conversation with longtime friend and former professor Sara Nalley. Attendees will hear personal stories from her time at Columbia College and insights into her acclaimed career on stage and screen. Tickets are $20, and seating is limited. To reserve tickets, visit www.columbiasc.edu/colella. Please note that this is a conversation event, not a concert or musical performance.
Renowned for her captivating roles in Broadway hits such as SUFFS, Come From Away, If/Then, Chaplin, High Fidelity, and Urban Cowboy, Colella has earned critical acclaim and numerous accolades. Her portrayal of Captain Beverly Bass in Come From Away earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Craig Noel, Helen Hayes, and Dora Awards. Most recently, her role as Carrie Chapman Catt in SUFFS earned her a Distinguished League Award nomination for Most Distinguished Performer.
Colella’s return to campus is not only a celebration of her extraordinary talent but also a testament to her deep connection to Columbia College and its commitment to the arts.
In addition to the April 30 event, Columbia College is honored to announce that Jenn Colella will serve as the featured commencement speaker at the College’s spring 2025 graduation ceremony on Friday, May 2, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. This inspiring milestone event is ticketed and not open to the public, but members of the media are welcome to attend and cover the celebration.