Jennifer "Lil' Red" Milligan
A multi-talented veteran of the stage, from Westerville, OH, USA, her 30+yr professional career has been diverse as an actor, dancer & singer/songwriter who has touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands internationally on stage, screen and recording. Her magnetic presence, exuberant energy and genuine smile bring a warm authentic charm to the blues scene. With her bed as a stage and hairbrush for microphone, she started singing at the age of 6 accompanied by her motherʼs 45s on her Mickey Mouse turntable. By the age of 11 her bed was replaced by a stage and by 22 she was touring the country as the lead in the National tour of Hair. The blue notes have called to her all her life and since 2010 she’s been listening. She speaks and writes from her heart, direct and unafraid to sing of what makes her soul burn.
““ … diva voice that walks voluptuously from Bessie Smith to Janis Joplin crossing without a hitch tonalities and eras always sounding the most sincere and accurate possible.” ”
— Fred Delforge, France Blues Association
IIn her professional career she has performed in and or choreographed more productions than years she has lived, sharing the stage with many recognized performing artists including Dennis DeYoung,, Carl Anderson, Ted Neeley, Carlos Benthien, Dave Specter, Andy J. Forest, Michelle Horsefield, LaChance, Gary Carney, Steve Clayton, Drew Davies, Ricky Nye, Matthew Skoller, Shane D. Wilson, Robert Smith, Thommy Price (Joan Jett), Eric 13, Shannon Conley (Lez Zeppelin), Nico Wayne Toussiant, Shaun Booker, Long Tall Deb, Colin John, Sean Carney, Micah Kesselring and Eileen Howard.
She’s gratefully accepting the wisdom of an exceptional woman in Blues the Award Winning, Diunna Greenleaf. She's been coached by two amazing Blues & Soul singers Teeny Tucker & Shaun Booker and was coached in Jazz by innovators Michelle Horsefield and Luigi (Master of Jazz Dance Technique). With every note she wishes to thank Ella, Etta, & Dinah with every word Shakespeare & Tom Waits and with every rhythm T-Bone & Luigi.
DISCOGRAPHY
2017 Lil’ Red & The Rooster – “Soul Burnin’
2016 Lil' Red & The Rooster - "L'Odeon JRC Live"
2015 Shane D. Wilson “You Asked For It” – washboard & backups
2014 Alain Messier “Raisin’ Blues” – Featured vocalist
2014 New Line Up “Helpin’ Hand”– Featured vocalist
2013 Lil’ Red & The Roosters – “Out Of The Coop!”
2012 Jenny Lee & The Hoodoomen – “Pretty Gritty City”
AWARDS AND UNIONS
- 2019 Winner Band Cincy Blues Challenge
- 2019 International Blues Challenge Finalist Solo/Duo
- 2018 Winner Solo/Duo Cincy Blues Society Challenge
- 2018 2nd Place Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Challenge
- 2017 Second Place Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Challenge
- 2015 France Blues Finalist
- 2015 International Blues Challenge Participant
- 2014 Winner Solo/Duo Columbus Blues Challenge
- 2000 Best Choreography Columbus Dispatch
- 1998 Best Supporting Actress Columbus Dispatch
- 1992 Member of Actors Equity Association
- 1986 Ohio Arts Council Award
- 1986 National Advancement For The Arts Award
- 1985 Member of American Federation of Radio and TV Artists
Bands
Lil’ Red & The Rooster
Sugar Blues & Daddy-O
Jenny Lee & The Hoodoomen
00 Feedback/ Cheap Thrill
The Sex Slaves
Training Lineage & Acting/ Singing/ Dancing resume
University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music - BFA - Musical Theatre
Naropa University - MFA - Contemporary Performance
VOICE:
BLUES, JAZZ, SOUL, MUSICAL THEATRE, CLASSICAL TECHNIQUE AND INTERPRETATION: Coaching: Teeny Tucker, Shaun Booker, Jeffrey Saver, Oscar Kosarin, Michael Graves Technique: Michelle Horsefield, Nancy Evers, David Adams, Steven Hilderbrand Choral: Joyce Stonebraker, Gary Everett
ROY HART / ALFRED WOLFSOHN’S EXTENDED VOICE: Mentor: Jonathan Hart Makwaia Teachers: Ethie Friend, Carol Mendelsohn, Saule Ryan, Kaya Anderson, David Goldsworthy, Liza Mayer, Derek Rossignol, Ian Magilton, Linda Wise, Ralf Peters, Agnes Dumouchel, Edda Heeg, Marianne Le Tron, Ivan Midderigh, Susanne Weins, Marie-Paule Marthe, Penny Kritzer
DANCE:
LUIGI JAZZ: Luigi (My NYC Papa) Teachers: Francis J. Roach, Joey Ducette, Sean Powers, Lester Horton: James Truitte Post-Modern: Barbara Dilley, Wendell Beavers Viewpoints: Wendell Beavers, Barney O’Hanlon Contact Improv: Nita Little, Andrew Howard, Chris Aiken, Alicia Grayson, Gretchen Spiro, Teri Carter, Javier Cura, Aaron Jessup, Carolyn Staurt, Scott Wells, Shel Wagner Rasch, Stefan Fabry, Angie Hauser, Scott Rodwin, Johanna Walker, Krista DeNio, Steve Homsher Tap: Phil Black, Joan Walton, Pam Schalarith Afro-Modern; Onye Ozuzu Latin Jazz: Phil Black Tango: Javier Cura Musical Theatre: Preston Misner, Diane Lala, Joan Walton
ACTING & PHYSICAL THEATRE:
Felix Ivanov -Checkov, Stanislovisky, Vakhtangov, Decroux, Combat, Puppetry, Mask Stephen Wangh - Grotowski Katzura Kan - Butoh Erica Berg -Grotowski Barney O’Hanlon - Suzuki, Viewpoints Diane Kvapil - Misner, Morris Aubrey Berg - Uta Hagen, Cohan, Dialects William Goldsmith - Children’s Theatre & physical comedy Phillip S Wilson - Stage combat, technical theatre
Steven Anderson - Scene work Michael Graves - Shakespeare, on-camera Michael MIlligan -Shakespeare
PERFORMANCE CREATION:
Barbara Dilley - The Red Square, dance improv Moises Kaufman - Moment Work Leigh Fondakowski -Moment Work Daniel Banks - Performance Studies, Ensemble building, and creation Dan Safer -Choreographic Theatre Meredith Monk - Voice & Movement composition Ann Waldeman - Performative Poetry
SOMATIC & ENERGY TRAINING:
Iana Lahi - Spiritgateways: movement healing, meditation Bonnie Cohan - Body, Mind Centering Erika Berland - Body, Mind Centering Wendell Beavers - Developmental Movement Carolyn Eberle -Barbara Brennan
MARTIAL ARTS:
Sabumnim Yong Ji In- Hap Ki Do Felix Ivanov -Tai Chi, Kung Fu
Sensei Andy -Judo
TV & FILM
- Guiding Light Madeleine CBS
- Below The Belt Nurse Poor Box Productions
THEATRICAL TOURS
- Hair Sheila 20th Aniv Tour Pink Lace Productions
- JC Superstar (National Tour) Ensemble Niko Assoc (Ted Neely,Carl Anderson)
- JC Superstar (European Tour) Ensemble European Tour Wolfgang Bosch
REGIONAL THEATRE
- Suburbia Sooze Contemporary American Theatre Company
- Uncle Vanya Sonya Undercroft Players
- Art of Being Oscar Lily / Constance Georgia Shreve
- Heroine Sam The Flea Theatre
- Rocky Horror Show Janet Stage 5 Reparatory
- The Good Doctor Actress #2 Stage 5 Reparatory
- Arms and The Man Riana Stage 5 Repertory
- Oh, Jackie! Jackie Kennedy Act Out Productions * Mel Helizter
- Blue Plate Special Ramona Metro Music Theatre
- Man w/ a Load of Mischief The Lady Metro Music Theatre
- Queen of Satin Annie Red Herring Theatre
- JC Superstar Tormentor Walnut Street Theatre
- South Pacific Bucket Head Candlewood
- Sweet Charity Ensemble Candlewood
- JC Superstar Tormentor American Stage Festival
- Oliver Nancy Columbus Children’s Theatre
- Sleeping Beauty Beauty Columbus Children’s Theatre
- Edgar Allen Poe Ensemble Columbus Children’s Theatre
- Rapunzel Witch Columbus Children’s Theatre
- Aesop’s Fables Ensemble Columbus Children’s Theatre
- Child Writing Project Ensemble Columbus Children’s Theatre
- The Dining Room Ensemble Showboat Majestic
- Oklahoma Ado Annie Showboat Majestic
- Cole Ensemble Showboat Majestic
- Cotton Patch Gospel Ensemble Showboat Majestic
- George M Agnes Showboat Majestic
- Dames at Sea Joan Showboat Majestic
- The Boyfriend Dulcie Ensemble Theatre of Columbus
ORIGINAL THEATRICAL CREATIONS
- Women Who Love Passionately Performer/Writer Boulder International Fringe
- In The Belly Of The Whale Director Jonathan Bender
- Acrobat Of Passion Performer/Creator Naropa University
- Nightingale Performer Felix Ivanov
- Dilly Dally Dali Performer/Creator In Situ
UNIVERSITY THEATRE
- Chicago Roxy Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- 110 In The Shade Snookie Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- A Chorus Line Judy Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- The Baker’s Wife Simone Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- Hair Jeanie Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- Cowboy Mouth Cavale Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
- Les Liaisons Dangereuses Marquise de Merteuil Naropa University
COMMUNITY THEATRE
- A Chorus Line Morales Worthington Community Theater
- Pajama Game Ensemble Columbus Jewish Center
- Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Ensemble Worthington Community Theater
- Follies Young Sally Players Theatre of Columbus
- The Boyfriend Dulcie Players Theatre of Columbus
- Carnival Ensemble Players Theatre of Columbus
- Cinderella Cinderella Columbus Jewish Center
- Dragon Tale Ensemble Players Theatre of Columbus
HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE
- Barnum Joyce Heth Fort Hayes Performing Arts HS
- Mr Roberts Ensemble Fort Hayes Performing Arts HS
- Oklahoma Chorus Westerville North HS
- Pure As The Driven Snow Imogene Westerville North HS
- The Crucible Mary Warren Westerville North HS