Check Out Serena Ebhardt zum Brunnen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Serena Ebhardt zum Brunnen

Serena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in Raleigh and being influenced by the artists at Raleigh Little Theatre, Theatre In The Park, and Village Dinner Theatre allowed me to begin working professionally by the time I was eight years old. Commercial and Film work came from those connections and opportunities. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helped me hone my craft. There I met my husband, David zum Brunnen, and we found theatrical work across the United States and Canada. In the 1990’s we returned to live in North Carolina and worked with Burning Coal Theatre Company, Manbites Dog Theatre, Mike Wiley Productions, North Carolina Theatre, North Carolina Theatre Conference, North Carolina Presenters Consortium, Playmakers Repertory Theatre, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, and Temple Theatre among others,

In 1998 David zum Brunnen and I founded EbzB Productions, [ebzb.org], a professional theatre company, touring nationally. Our mission is to develop original, touring theatrical productions to promote integrity and authenticity, self-discovery, and positive transformation of individuals, artists, audiences, and communities. Among our productions are Elliot Engel’s The Night Before Christmas Carol, War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II, The Wrights of Passage, Native, and In One Era & Out The Other. In addition to performing for general audiences, we specialize in arts-integration school residencies.

Our most recent project is a feature film based on our production of Native. The film is entitled The Problem Of The Hero [problemofthehero.ebzb.org]. The Problem Of The Hero is currently making the rounds on the national film festival circuit, winning awards, and receiving critical acclaim. In May 2024, The Problem Of The Hero was honored as the Best Narrative Film of the Longleaf Film Festival sponsored by the North Carolina Museum of History.

Among other awards, EbzB has been honored by the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, North Carolina’s oldest civic organization, as the 2017 Hardee-Rives Dramatic Arts Award winner. This award is presented to recognize “excellent, exemplary work in and significant contribution and service to the dramatic arts in North Carolina.” Past recipients include Bo Thorpe, Bland Simpson, William Ivey Long, the Roanoke Island Historical Association, Samm-Art Williams, Terrance Mann, and the National Black Theater Festival;

Additionally, EbzB was honored by the North Carolina Theatre Conference with the Constance Welsh Theatre For Youth Award for providing quality entertainment and educational opportunities through theater to North Carolina’s youth.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We don’t dwell on our obstacles and challenges because we understand that each has rerouted us to a better place. A mentor of ours once said, “You will always have three issues. 1)Money. 2)People. 3)Quality. You’ll rarely ace all three. But if you come close, you can call it a success.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In addition to EbzB Productions, I am a mother, an elder in my church, an actress, a director, and a juvenile diabetic. Raleigh audiences will remember me as the first female Ghost of Christmas Past in Ira David Wood, III’s A Christmas Carol in the 1970’s. I am also remembered for winning a Raleigh Little Theatre Cantey Award at the age of 14 for Best Supporting Actress as Mammy Yokum in Lil’ Abner.

What am I most proud of? Well, I don’t like the concept of “pride” but I am grateful for work that has a social impact, including playing the role of Sue Ella Kobak van Zee in Hulu’s Dopesick, and Joan Trumpauer in The Parchman Hour. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve as a teacher and mentor to younger generations of actors– passing forward the wisdom that others gave me.

Personally, I am deeply grateful for my family, especially my husband and son.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Theatre cannot easily be replaced by Zoom. It loses the interstitial connection that happens between the performer and the audience. However, the pandemic did force us to get creative and innovative, and that is joyful for artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ebzb.org
• Instagram: @ebzbproductions