Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: RACHEL WOODS

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look so damn good? We're gonna tell ya…

Today's actor/subject/model is the beautiful, talented and very busy Rachel Woods (who recently was named a Top Ten Finalist in the English Speaking Union's National Speaking Competition and is a 2011 BroadwayWorld Nashville Award winner), photographed by J Renee Photography.

Among Rachel's most recent credits:

Betty Parris, The Crucible, Tennessee Repertory Theatre

Rosamund, The Robber Bridegroom, Tennessee Governor's School for the Fine Arts

Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady, Star Bright Players

Anne Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank, Pull Tight Players

Rootie, Graceland, Tennessee Repertory Theatre

Anna, The King and I, Star Bright Players

Joyce Cheeka, The Rememberer, Nashville Children's Theatre

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

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