Jessica most recently appeared on Broadway in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC with Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. Her other Broadway credits include: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Celeste 2), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Miss Dorothy), and LES MISÉRABLES (Eponine).
At age 15, Jessica originated the role of Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, as well as on the National Tour, performing alongside legends Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. She received a Jefferson Award nomination for her portrayal, and can be heard on the 1998 Grammy nominated cast recording.
Jessica played Polly on the National tour of THE BOY FRIEND (directed by Julie Andrews), recreating the same role Ms. Andrews created in the 1954 Broadway production.
Jessica’s Off-Broadway credits include ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Diana Barry), ILLYRIA (Viola), and the World Premieres of IRON CURTAIN, TRANSPORT at The Irish Repertory Theatre, and most recently THE UNDERCLASSMAN (Prospect Theatre Company).
Regionally, Jessica has starred as Ariel in Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Belle in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Eliza in MY FAIR LADY (Wilde Award Nomination), The Witch in INTO THE WOODS (Wilde Award Nomination), Amalia in SHE LOVES ME (Connecticut Critics Circle Award Nomination), Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS, Lil’ Luz in GIANT (World Premiere), Laurey in OKLAHOMA! (with the film’s Laurey, Shirley Jones, as Aunt Eller), Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA with the Nashville Symphony, Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS, Eva in EVITA, Dorothy in WAS (World Premiere), Anne Frank in YOURS, ANNE (Columbus Dispatch Award, Best Actress), and Fleur-de-Lys and Esmeralda in NOTRE DAME DE PARIS (U.S. and English Language Premiere in Las Vegas).
Jessica founded The Jessica Grové Fund for the Performing Arts, which financially assists students in her hometown in pursuing their dreams in the arts. She is married to fellow Broadway Actor, Daniel Cooney, who is the Founding Artistic Director of The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan https://theencoretheatre.org. Jessica is the Program Director and an Instructor for Maas Conservatory at The Encore, a training program for high school students interested in pursuing a career in Musical Theatre. Her best productions to date are her two children, Gavin and Lolly.