J. M. Evenson is an author and academic specializing in the intersection of classical drama and contemporary cinematic narrative. She currently serves as a professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where she teaches courses on composition, film, and the works of William Shakespeare. Her professional focus centers on the application of classical storytelling techniques to modern screenwriting, a subject she explores extensively in her forthcoming book, Shakespeare for Screenwriters: Timeless Writing Tips from the Master of Drama, published by Michael Wiese Productions. Through her research and teaching, Evenson provides screenwriters with technical frameworks to analyze and adapt the structural power of Shakespeare’s most influential scenes, characters, and dramatic arcs for the screen.
Evenson’s academic and creative background is rooted in elite film and literary training, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and an M.F.A. from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. This dual expertise allows her to bridge the gap between rigorous textual analysis and practical screenplay development. An award-winning educator, she has spent years investigating how the “Master of Drama” utilized narrative pacing and character development, translating these findings into actionable resources for the global screenwriting community. Her contributions to the field are defined by a commitment to elevating the craft of screenwriting through the lens of historical dramatic excellence, making her an authoritative voice for writers seeking to ground their modern scripts in timeless storytelling principles.