Client Services Manager

Mountain View, CA

Jenn Poret is the new client services manager at the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose, California.  She was the booking coordinator at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (MVCPA) for the past 18 years. At the Hammer Theatre, Poret is the first point of contact for anyone who wishes to book the theater  and is currently enjoying learning her new job. She hopes to create an autism/sensory friendly program providing theatrical experiences for patrons with autism or other sensory disorders and expanding the Hammer Theatre’s accessibility offerings, while serving the diverse clients booking the various spaces.

Poret’s passion for the theater began in high school when she made friends with people who participated in theater and followed them into the local theater company in her hometown. Upon joining the company, she met many amazing people who helped cultivate her interest, and she began working any job they would give her. While attending Santa Clara University, this passion translated into switching her major from math to theater, focusing on stage management. After graduating, she landed the job at MVCPA and recently transitioned over to the Hammer Theatre Center.  She loves her new work colleagues and her opportunity to work with the San Jose State University students. She appreciates how her new team has welcomed her and immediately provided accommodations. They asked “where do you need step stools” instead of “let us know if you need any step stools”; the small change of phrase provided a feeling of instant inclusion and acceptance.

When asked how being a person with a disability has affected her work, Poret responds that it “isn’t an impact” so much as just a part of her. “I do not generally feel that my disability has influenced my work. I have migrated towards jobs and responsibilities that are of interest to me and my disability just comes along for the ride. When I find that my disability gets in the way—I’ve gotten physically tired sooner than colleagues, or I can’t reach something—I ask for help or I make a modification on the spot.”

Poret has a type of dwarfism called pseudoachondroplasia, and because it’s more visible than many invisible disabilities, she often uses her place to advocate for others. “I know there are others who do not wish to self-identify, and, since I am forced to by my stature, I have decided that I am okay being the spokesperson for those who’d rather not. I try to always make it known that I am open to including other opinions and ideas.”

One of Poret’s most meaningful achievements during her tenure at MVCPA was starting the autism/sensory friendly program. After attending a conference session on the program that the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) produces on Broadway, she realized how important it is to create opportunities for everyone to enjoy the theater. “I walked away from the session realizing that there are families who feel they cannot attend events together when a family member has a sensory disorder. I don’t want families in my community feeling this way. I enjoy introducing theater to people and when I can make theater accessible to all humans; that’s even better.”

Poret believes the best way to include people with disabilities in the arts is to listen to the needs of those applying for the jobs and ask those who aren’t applying why, then make changes accordingly. Her advice to young people with disabilities trying to start a career in the arts? “I say go for it!  Follow your dream and don’t let society tell you that you can’t do or be whatever role you want to be. Just because you don’t see someone with a disability in the role you want now, doesn’t mean that that job is not for you. It might mean that you need to be the first.”