Ms. Janssen

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Ms. Janssen

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Ms. Janssen has been teaching Theatre here at Marie Murphy for 21 years. She created the Theatre curriculum based on her graduate work at the University of Houston, the national Common Core Standards for the Arts, and her own experiences as an actor, improviser, and director. She is also the director of the Marie Murphy school play, which takes place at the end of each April.

Ms. Janssen is passionate about acting and all things theatrical. Having been a professional actor for many years before becoming a teacher, she provides unique insight into the business and holds first-hand knowledge and experience of the skills she teaches. Trained in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and London, Ms. Janssen has worked with some of the most respected theatre companies, theatre schools, and casting agents in the business. Wanting to keep her skills sharp, she has added improvisation to her list of specialties, having graduated from the 18-month training program at iO Chicago. In 2016, she graduated from a three-year Master’s program in Theatre through the University of Houston, studying underneath some of the most respected teachers in the fields of acting, voice, directing, scenic design, costume design, lighting design, and dramaturgy. As part of her intensive training, she studied at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England, Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, and Lincoln Center in New York.  

Outside of school, Ms. Janssen serves on the Professional Jury for the Chicago Children's International Film Festival for Oscar-qualifying films, fosters homeless cats and kittens in need of adoption, passionately follows Taylor Swift, and occasionally takes the stage herself to be reminded how hard the theatre process actually is for her students!

 

I'm thrilled to offer a class that excites and challenges all students who come through Marie Murphy, and I deeply enjoy the 3-year relationship I have the privilege to forge with them during their time here. My goal as a teacher is to watch each child grow in their self-confidence, initiative, and connection to others, and hopefully develop a life-long love for the theatre as well!!