Jean Scharfenberg

Jean Scharfenberg (August 19, 1922 - August 2 1998) was an American educator who was professor of theatre at Illinois State University (ISU). She taught Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, Rondi Reed, Laurie Metcalf, Tom Irwin and John Malkovich.

Early life and education Scharfenberg was born in Davenport, Iowa, and earned her undergraduate degree at University of Central Missouri University. She then earned her masters degree and doctoral degree in theater from the University of Wisconsin. She was known among students for her class "Acting: Exploring Characterization Through Animal Exercises" in which students developed the persona of an animal and then enacted a violent death scene at the end of the semester. She directed ISU's mainstage plays during the school year and Shakespeare Festival in the summer. In the 1990-1991 school year, Scharfenberg won two awards, the Outstanding Teacher in the College of Fine Arts and the Outstanding University Teacher.