If you’ve ever walked into Cornerstone Veterinary Hospital here in Clifton Park and felt at ease, there’s a good chance Jenna Croswell had something to do with it.
With her warm smile, quick wit, and love for every four-legged (and occasional exotic) patient that comes through the door, Jenna has been a beloved veterinary assistant at the clinic for the past four and a half years.
Originally on track to become a history teacher, Jenna graduated college ready for the classroom, until life had other plans.
Following Her Heart
“I realized I didn’t want to be in a classroom for the rest of my life,” she laughs. Instead, she followed her heart straight into veterinary medicine, and hasn’t looked back. “It is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Today she thrives in a fear-free certified practice, expertly calming anxious pups and dramatic short-legged corgis alike.
What’s one of her most unforgettable patients, you ask? A coatimundi, a cat-sized exotic mammal with a long ringed tail that loved mini marshmallows. “She was really cool, definitely not something you see every day!” Jenna said.
Into the Limelight
College wasn’t just a detour, it’s where Jenna met her roommate Amelia, and the two have been friends ever since. The education background also gives her a special gift with kids during appointments: she knows exactly how to explain things in a way that makes little ones (and their worried parents) feel calm and informed.
Her love of performance runs just as deep. After high-school musicals (Bye Bye Birdie, Once Upon a Mattress, Seussical) and a straight play in college (Rumors), Jenna rediscovered the stage with Classic Theater Guild. She had a blast in last fall’s Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors before landing her current role in the upcoming production of Moonlight and Magnolias.
Moonlight and Magnolias at Congregation Beth Israel
Jenna plays Miss Poppenghul, the sharp, indispensable secretary who literally “holds everything together” while legendary producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming, and screenwriter Ben Hecht scramble to create the film adaptation of Gone with the Wind. The show is a hilarious, fast-paced comedy based on real people and real events from 1930s Hollywood, think three men locked in a room, rewriting history while one very capable assistant keeps the chaos under control.
Performance Dates & Times (all at Congregation Beth Israel, Niskayuna):
- Thursday, April 23 & 30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 25 & May 2 – 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 26 & May 3 – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are not yet on sale but will be available soon. The easiest way to stay in the loop is to follow Classic Theater Guild on Facebook or visit classictheaterguild.com. Jenna promises the show is “super funny” and a perfect night out for anyone who loves clever comedy, a little history, and local talent.
Daisy Mae + Poppy June
When she’s not at the clinic or rehearsing lines, Jenna is a proud cat mom to two stars: 15-year-old Daisy Mae and her wild two-year-old sister Poppy June. Daisy is the elegant elder stateswoman who comes to work with Jenna every month for arthritis injections. Poppy is the adventurous kitten who once swallowed a sewing needle, thankfully she’s fine now but also unfortunately down to only eight lives. 🙁
Both cats have their own Instagram accounts run by roommate Amelia (because cats obviously can’t do it themselves, yet). Follow along for daily cuteness:
Jenna hopes you’ll give them a follow, Daisy is currently in a friendly follower-count competition with Amelia’s dad, and every new like makes her day.
A Little More About Jenna
Off-stage and off-clinic, Jenna is a music lover with wonderfully eclectic taste: Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, the StarKid musical The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals. She’ll happily listen to just about anything and admits her standards are “pretty much nonexistent.”
Whether she’s soothing a scared Rottweiler, memorizing lines, or chasing Poppy around the apartment, Jenna brings the same big heart and easy laugh to everything she does. She’s the kind of person who makes Clifton Park feel a little brighter, and a lot more fun.
Mark your calendars and come cheer on Jenna in Moonlight and Magnolias this April and May. Support local theater, support local vets, and while you’re at it, support Daisy and Poppy with some Instagram love.
