In 2018, Jess moved to Louisville from New York City, where she developed a studio practice in devising Shakespeare, coaching a range of ages from pre-school students to Broadway performers. As an actor, regional theatre credits include Great River Shakespeare Festival, Chautauqua Theater Company, Clarence Brown Theatre, Reign Or Shine, Rogue and Peasant Players, and Kentucky Shakespeare, among others. She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Tennessee.