Mrs. Jennifer Rentmeester, previously known as Jennifer Campbell, is an alum of St Joe’s Academy who will be returning on January 18 for Alumni Night of Notre Dame’s production of Bye Bye Birdie.

Rentmeester was Nancy and also part of the Teen Chorus in St Joe’s production of Bye Bye Birdie in 1987. Rentmeester is the aunt of NDA’s own Owen Campbell.

Rentmeester was not originally interested in musicals. After persuasion from her sister, she decided to join.

“I have always loved singing and music but was never the kid who could easily get up in front of strangers and perform,” Rentmeester explained. “I learned I loved the idea of ‘putting on a character’ and being someone other than myself on stage. That suspension of self let me grow in confidence on stage and carried over into my everyday life.”

Rentmeester, along with the entire cast of Bye Bye Birdie, performed at the City Center Theater in downtown Green Bay (which is no longer is use). Rentmeester explained that because of this the musical gave the cast “a ‘real theater’ experience. The entire ‘feel’ of being outside of the school and performing on a ‘real’ stage was exciting and scary.”

Along with this production, Rentmeester was a part of South Pacific, Godspell, Lil’ Abner and Fiddler on the Roof. Rentmeester continues to be involved in musical production with her kids being in their school’s shows. She is involved with props, vocals, playing the piano for rehearsals, choreography and directing.

Rentmeester is now married with four kids and works as an Elder Care Consultant with Vesta Senior Network.

“We are a Wisconsin-based company that helps find senior living options for elders,” she explained.

Even now, musicals and the memories gained in the productions still affect her.

“Personally, I gained confidence in myself and learned a lot about who I was and what I was able to do,” she said.