Todd Avery is in his 25th season as director of the Theatre Arts program for Jenison High School and has directed over fifty productions for the awesome JHS Thespians. Prior to teaching and directing in Jenison, Mr. Avery worked for the Farwell Area Public Schools near Mt. Pleasant. He and his wife, Penny, spent the first two years of their marriage touring the United States with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. Since arriving in the Grand Rapids area, Mr. Avery has acted in productions for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (The 25th Annual Putnam Co. Spelling Bee, and Hairspray), Grand Rapids’ Circle Theatre (Laramie Project, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Little Shop of Horrors), GVSU Opera (Secret Garden, Candide), and has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony Children’s Series. In addition, Todd has also directed for Grand Rapids’ Circle Theatre (Cabaret, Oliver, Bingo: The Musical, Into the Woods).
Mr. Avery was honored at the Michigan Thespian Festival by being inducted into the Michigan Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame. His production of The Elephant Man performed at the festival and was one of 10 schools from across the United States chosen to perform on the main stage at the International Thespian Festival in June.
In his “free” time, Todd loves being proud of his boys, Ben and Zachary and spending quality time with his wife, Penny. Without the love and support of them and the rest of his family, he wouldn’t have the chance to do what he loves every single day. Also, a very special thanks to all the JHS Thespians from the past 25 years, both actors and techies, for their love, laughter and energetic support.