Jen Bender

Jen Bender is an accomplished theater professional with extensive experience in artistic direction and production. Currently serving as the Associate Artistic Director at Paper Mill Playhouse since October 2022 and as an Adjunct Faculty member at New York University since September 2021, Bender has previously contributed to multiple notable organizations including Lively McCabe Entertainment as a Creative Development Consultant and The Araca Group as Senior Vice President of Production and Development. Bender's background also includes a significant tenure as Resident Director for both Avenue Q and The Lion King, and an Artistic Director role for Broadway in South Africa. Jen Bender co-founded and directed programming for the New York Musical Theatre Festival and worked as Assistant Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil. Bender holds a Bachelor's degree in Theater from Northwestern University, earned between 1997 and 2001.