John Penney

John has worked at The Umbrella since 2019 in a variety of roles, from scenic carpenter and assistant stage manager for performing arts productions to teaching as part of our vacation week and summer camp programs before taking on the role of Patron Services Associate in August 2023.

He studied secondary English education and theater at the University of Delaware, where he learned and participated in every stage of production from writing to acting to producing. After graduating, he contracted in stage operations at the Resident Ensemble Players and The Glimmerglass Festival before moving to Massachusetts to work as a freelance stage technician and crew chief in the Greater Boston theater scene. Along the way, he kept his other foot firmly planted in the worlds of education and customer service, working as a teacher and educational support in local school districts as well as a pharmacy technician and box office associate in retail spaces. It brings him great joy to create positive, entertaining, and enriching experiences for students and patrons.

He lives in Marlborough, Massachusetts with his wife and child. In his spare time, he enjoys creating his own art, going to the park with his family, voice acting, and serving as game master to Dungeons & Dragons groups.

photo credit: Ravneet Marwaha, www.ravneetmarwaha.com