Alumni Spotlight: Jenna Rocca

A 2009 graduate, Jenna Rocca is the Manager of Digital Communication and Programs for the West Orange based New Jersey Theater Alliance.  A product of the Public Relations concentration, Jenna has successfully married the two loves of her life – public relations and theater.  

Unlike many students who begin their career search after graduation, Jenna began paving her path to success while still a junior at Montclair.  When the opportunity arose to do some work for the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Jenna conceived the idea of producing an operatic singing contest for high school students in the New Jersey/New York Metropolitan area.  What did the Guild think about it?  The event, called the “Curtain Call” premiered in the John J. Cali School of Music in June of 2010 with the Metropolitan Opera Guild as its cosponsor.  And, the Curtain Call will celebrate its sixth anniversary on February 15, 2015.  Jenna also produced and hosted the event during her junior and senior years. 

In November of her senior, Jenna was part of another team that helped publicize the Fifth Annual Andy Kaufman Awards in 2008, which were held that year at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York.

After graduation, Jenna developed her marketing skills as Manager of Client Services and Social Media with the Points Group, a marketing firm in Morristown, New Jersey.  In 2013, however, Jenna found the job that fit her like a glove, when she – eagerly – joined the New Jersey Theater Alliance as Program and Communication Associate.  Earlier this year, Jenna was named Manager of Digital Communication and Programs.

As part of her new responsibilities, Jenna is overseeing the development of the design and content for a new Alliance website that is expected to go live in January 2015.  She also manages all social media platforms, produces bi-monthly Theater Alliance newsletters, and develops and manages all print material for the alliances myriad programs and events.

Event planning also falls under Jenna Rocca’s job description.  She produces all the Alliance events, most notably the organization’s Annual Combined Auditions in August, its own Curtain Call gala in October, and the Stages Festival that goes throughout the month of March.

She produces press material for all major programs and events and develops additional media and marketing outreach strategies for NJTA and its member theaters.  Finally, Jenna cultivates partnerships with outlets to help promote professional theatre throughout the state, recently partnering with noted radio personality Valerie Smaldone, who produces bi-monthly podcasts that feature Alliance theaters. 

Always admired for her professionalism and hard work ethic, it’s no wonder Jenna Rocca is quickly making a name for herself in the entertainment industry.  It would seem obvious that someday in the not too distant future, Jenna Rocca will add the title Producer to her job description.

The New Jersey Theatre Alliance is the first statewide service organization in the US devoted to professional not-for-profit theatre. NJTA provides innovative, collaborative, and engaging programming for 35 professional member theatres and their diverse audiences throughout the state.