Jenna Constantine

Award-winning filmmaker, producer, writer, director, cinematographer, composer, performer and Owner of KaplaniKid Productions, which believes ...one film can make a difference... Director Constantine received her PhD and MA degrees from Northwestern University, where she studied as an NIMH Fellow. Selected as the Outstanding Young Woman of Illinois for her civic contributions to the State of Illinois, she founded Behavior Management Consultants, appearing on local and national media as a guest commentator on urban, cultural and social issues. Her pioneer book researching domestic violence has been translated in eight languages. She has been a visiting professor at several universities including, Northwestern University. During all this time she was a working actress in the Chicagoland area and lead singer performing with her rock band, The Mother Goose, throughout the Midwest and Las Vegas. Currently KaplaniKid Productions is in pre-production on the feature length film: 'A SICILIAN ODYSSEY II: THE FAMILY' to be shot in New York City. 'A SICILIAN ODYSSEY,' the award-winning feature length docu-fiction film was shot on the island of Sicily. It had its debut screening at the 2010 Festival de Cannes in France. It screened in the US and Europe. Its awards include Best DocuFiction film and Best Biographical Film. While in post-production of 'A SICILIAN ODYSSEY' Constantine continued performing at various Chicago night spots. 'THE SPIRIT OF THE CHICAGO GREEKS!' screened at the 2006 Festival de Cannes and went on to win 4 awards in NYC, LA, Greece and Cyprus. Of the 4 awards won, the most treasured, by the Director, is the "For the Emotion of the Film Award" won in Greece in 2006. 'IF APHRODITE HAD ARMS,' Constantine's intensely moving and sweeping documentary, addresses the 1974 invasion and division of the Republic of Cyprus and the struggles that still exist in the turbulent world of Cyprus today. It screened at the 2007 Festival de Cannes and aired on European television. 'IF APHRODITE HAD ARMS...TODAY' is in post-production. An accomplished performing musician, she composed the original score for 'A SICILIAN ODYSSEY' and its theme song "Ni Viremu" (I will see you again). Currently, she is scoring a special theme song for 'A SICILIAN ODYSSEY II: THE FAMILY.' She wrote and performed the original theme song, Xepna Kore Mou, (Awaken, My daughter) for 'THE SPIRIT OF THE CHICAGO GREEKS!' and, composed and performed the original theme song, "Ela Konta Mou" (Come Close to Me), for 'IF APHRODITE HAD ARMS.' She produced, hosted and edited her successful weekly television talk show, 'JENNA 'ROUND THE VINEYARD' for MVTV in Massachusetts; and, produced and edited the documentary short, 'A HOME IN PROGRESS' featuring Rotary International and Habitat for Humanity. As an actress she won critical acclaim and standing ovations for her portrayal of Aldonza/Dulcinea in 'MAN of La MANCHA.' Her hilarious and zany performances as Princess Winnifred in 'ONCE UPON A MATTRESS' and her bawdy interpretation of Nancy in 'OLIVER!' are still discussed on the "L" in, and around, Chicago. She loves the O Cafe on 6th Avenue in NYC, the Northwestern University Wildcats and the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.