Broadway meets law school. That seemingly unusual connection describes Jennifer Paige Chambers of Atlanta, Georgia. Going through a transition from an extensive career in the performing arts — her credits include The Producers on Broadway, where she was the understudy to Ulla and performed opposite Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick; Radio City’s Rockettes and national touring company performances in Cats, 42nd Street,and A Chorus Line, among others — Chambers returned to formal education. With a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and a minor in Legal Studies and History, she graduates from Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS) in 2010 and plans to become an attorney.

“Being on Broadway fulfilled my creative desires, and studying and deciphering legal cases fulfills my intellectual cravings,” says Chambers. “Yet both fields are connected to each other: when I choreograph, it is similar to putting a puzzle together as it unfolds step by step. In law, to comprehend a case fully, one must attempt to understand the history and connections surrounding laws, regulations, and societal opinions of the time, and fit all of the pieces together, as in a puzzle.”

Chambers also hopes she can inspire others to achieve whatever dreams they possess. “I want people to know that with focus, determination, and hard work, they can be a Broadway performer or pursue another creative field and also achieve their intellectual goals. My performing experience ranges from Broadway theatres to the White House, and it helps me feel comfortable and confident making public presentations. I hope my background has given me the stamina that law school and a legal career demand.”

Penn’s Ivy League reputation, along with the opportunities and spirit of the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, drew Chambers to Philadelphia from Santa Monica College and UCLA. “When I visited Penn, and especially when I met the faculty and staff in LPS, I felt a real warmth and sense of community,” says Chambers. “And I have the same opportunities and access to resources as Penn’s traditional undergrad students — no limits. My classmates are such a bright and diverse group of people who work hard and play hard, so my education is that much richer.” Chambers knows Penn is competitive, but that focus feels “relaxed, like home” to her. “I feel such strong support from everyone,” she says. “Even the ladies in the dining halls know me by my first name.”

Chambers also recognizes that Penn’s legacy and reputation open doors connecting her to a significant community of alumni ready to provide insights and opportunities in her new career. “When I contacted Penn alumni at the Seyfarth Shaw law firm in Atlanta, my résumé was passed on to a managing partner and to the director of legal recruiting, and they both invited me to meet with them. It was almost like getting a job interview before I have even applied to law school,” says Chambers. “I also know I have access to Penn’s career services, with people like Anne Reedstrom, who works with pre-law students.”

Small classes and personal attention from Penn’s accessible, world-class faculty members create the educational environment where Chambers thrives. In her History of American Law class with Dr. Mary Frances Berry, a former U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner, Chambers appreciates that Berry brings her own front-line, real-world experiences with specific legal cases to her classroom presentations. “Dr. Berry is an irreplaceable force in the legal field. She’s a phenomenal teacher who is committed and responsive to students. She’s available for office meetings and quickly replies to emails, even with her teaching schedule and regular appearances on CNN and elsewhere.”

Chambers also cites Dr. Kok-chor Tan, her professor for Philosophy of Law, as a “brilliant and extremely patient” person with “genuine concern that every student in his class grasps the material,” so he presents the information clearly and in multiple ways. Dr. Tan and his family live on campus and regularly invite students to join them for lively discussions over dinner.

“I was honored and excited to teach a Penn preceptorial — So You Think You Want to Be On Broadway — that allowed me to share with the Penn community the expertise I gained from my performing career,” says Chambers. “I also enjoy working with many of Penn’s student-run groups, and during my weekends, I continue to choreograph for regional and national theaters and performing troupes.”

Seeing Penn’s statue of Benjamin Franklin made Chambers appreciate that she’s standing where our founding fathers stood. “The architecture of the buildings, the greatness of the atmosphere here; there’s an expectation to uphold,” says Chambers, who intends to do her part. “Penn is such an incredible community. I’m so glad I visited campus and met with the LPS faculty and staff — I just felt so welcomed. I would challenge anyone to find a better program. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”