To support the family, her mother, Emily Ann Jennings née Morse, became an actress in W. J. Holloway's company using the stage name "Kate Arden".

[5] In 1884 she went Europe with her mother and step-father where she studied the acting techniques of Sara Bernhardt, Ellen Terry and Mary Anderson.

Returning to Sydney in 1886 the Holloway theatre company opened at the Opera House for a 14-week season with Jenyns in the leading roles and playing to capacity audiences.

[6] Jenyns married John "Jack" Robert Wood, a wealthy Newcastle brewer[7] and interstate cricketer,[8] at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney on 5 December 1888.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a riot broke out and much of the church furniture was damaged or removed as souvenirs and Jenyns was carried out to her carriage in "a fainting condition".