ABOUT

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     Jacqueline is a singer, dancer, actor, director, writer. choreographer and educator currently residing in Toronto, Canada. She holds a Bachelor in Music Theatre Performance (BMT) from Sheridan College. She has been teaching for over 8 years in all three disciplines: singing, dancing and acting. In 2019,  Jacqueline shared the stage with Josh Groban in Niagara Falls (Bridges Tour) as well as Sarah Brightman and Narcis during their concert in Toronto (Hymn Tour) and was lucky enough to join Josh onstage again in 2022 at Budweiser Stage (Harmony Tour).  Most recently she is auditioning in Toronto and enjoying seeing live theatre return! Throughout the pandemic, Jackie honed her writing skills and co-wrote “On the Other Side of the Line” with her dear friend, Hailey Lewis.

     Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, she began dancing ballet at the age of 3. She later branched out and studied jazz, modern, lyrical, pointe, tap and hip hop, but… ballet and pointe hold a special place in her heart! Jacqueline has been performing in full length productions for over 15 years. She trained in Havana with the National Ballet of Cuba and toured with Ballet Jorgen Canada for two seasons of The Nutcracker. She was very grateful to receive the "Ken and Ann Watts Scholarship" in her graduating year. She also studied at the Theatre Aquarius Summer Performing Arts Program for many years and played leading roles in RENT, Aspects of Love and The Who's Tommy. 
 
     At Sheridan, Jacqueline fell in love with workshopping new musicals. As part of the Canadian Music Theatre Project, she participated in a workshop of the musical Atlantis written by Matthew Lee Robinson. Most recently she originated the role of “Olivia” in Ensemble the Musical. When not working on a new show, Jacqueline has a soft spot for Golden Age musical scores and Sondheim showstoppers. Some favourite performed theatre credits include: “Audrey” in Little Shop of Horrors  and “Margot” in Legally Blonde.

     Jacqueline has performed across Ontario and out east in Charlottetown, PEI. She appeared in the world premier of Jim Betts' musical "Granny Penny's Grand Adventure” and in 2019 co-created “Jingle Belles” for Smile Theatre. She teaches dance all throughout the GTA with Quick Ball Change and regularly at Koffman Academy. 
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     Jacqueline has filmed several commercials, tv episodes and short films. Some of her favourite credits to date are the short film, For Clara, working with The Perlorian Brothers on two commercials, and recording not one but two characters for an animated children's show. She has enjoyed training more extensively in voiceover and looks forward to work in this field!

     When not onstage or in front of the camera, Jacqueline enjoys reading Jane Austen, drinking copious amounts of tea and knitting. She will also never say no to a latte. She loves swimming and playing with her adopted cat, Duchess (yes, she is named after the Disney movie The Aristocats) and Katara (yup, Kat for short inspired by Avatar: the Last Airbender). 

                                                  Jacqueline is so excited to embark on this lifelong journey of creativity and storytelling! 
                                                           
                                  "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" ~Audrey Hepburn
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Quotes about Jacqueline:

Nunsense II: The Second Coming
"Jacqueline Janas works hard to make Sister Mary Leo a Karen Kain contender. She has a sweet personality, a pleasant singing voice and she can kick higher than heaven."  
​~Gary Smith, Hamilton Spectator
Full article: http://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/2205847-seen-it-all-before-you-ll-still-leave-happy/

Aspects of Love
"Jacqueline Janas is superb as Giulietta Trapini, finding the darker heart of a woman experimenting with life as surely as she experiments with her art."  ~Gary Smith, Hamilton Spectator
Full article: 
http://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/2154971-young-cast-tackles-tough-score/