Today we’d like to introduce you to Janna Klein.
Hi Janna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It is hard to pinpoint when acting truly became a part of my life. It has been something I have done for as long as I can remember. When I was just beginning to talk, my brother, Jonathan, had me as the star in almost all of his movies filmed on his Digital Blue camera. I also directed, wrote, and acted in many, many plays in my living room with my oldest niece.
When we moved out to Geauga County from South Euclid, we eventually got connected with the local community theater and I truly jumped in with both feet. I acted, directed, ran sound, manned the spotlight, cleaned the toilets, and everything in between. I was blessed with so many opportunities while acting onstage; I got to compete in the Ohio Community Theater Awards (OCTA) and perform in about 31 other shows. I am grateful to have been awarded the Best Actress in an Ohio Film for “Turn Out the Lights” (The Indie Gathering International), Best Leading Actress for my portrayal of Anne Frank (Geauga Lyric Theater Guild), and Best Supporting Actress for my role as Nurse Ruth Kelly (Rabbit Run Theater), among other awards.
As time went on, Jon truly became more and more intentional about his filmmaking. His equipment and the scope of his projects were truly upgrading and reaching a whole new level. They had definitely surpassed our old YouTube videos, where we each had to play about 10 characters each. He was bringing new talent into the projects and getting recognized locally for the films he was making with our talented writer (and cousin), Jesse DiFranco.
During 2019, I would go to work, head to theater camp and help direct Beauty & the Beast Jr., grab food, rehearse for my role as the Witch in Into the Wood, and then film “Turn Out the Lights” (2020) during any free days. It was an insanely busy season, but it perfectly encapsulates my life over the past few years.
Currently, I act and sing whenever the opportunity presents itself. I continue to act in Jon’s films (Come and see Jar Lid on January 15th!). I try to seize any opportunity to act, write, sing, take photos, and appreciate the talents of those around me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road, but not in the ways you might think. The challenges I have most often found within the arts are not in the actual process of writing and creating, but in seeing where the road is heading. When I was about 18, and with a heavy heart, I wrote off acting as an option for my future. I felt that the deck was stacked against me and it was just not a possibility.
I laugh to think that I had written it off, but it was still what I was getting the opportunity to do every day. I was acting onstage, filming with Jon, and writing almost every day. I had tried so hard to make it all happen and God was already orchestrating it all around me. I often have to remind myself of that when I try to guide my own steps and plan out every detail.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work at Company 119, a digital marketing agency in Chardon, as a Project Manager. I will be hitting my three-year mark there this coming March. I love the work I do and, especially, the people I do it with. I get to use my creative skills when I approach projects while also growing in more practical and “left-brain” skills.
I am beyond thankful for all that I have learned at my job. I have been able to see creativity and structure meet to make exceptional results. Day in and day out, I get to see the benefits of both, and I really hope to share with others to appreciate those who will expand and grow an idea and those who will put the steps in place to make sure the project actually gets done.
I like to think that what sets me apart is my walk with the Lord. I love the arts and I love to create, but it would not mean much to me if it were not for the Creator. I hope that more than a good performance or an articulate story, people see the One I am doing it for. He really has put so much beauty around us and I just hope to shine a light on it in all I do.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
From spy movies to silent films, my sister Mikaela and I were constantly acting in all of Jon’s movies. Jon would boss us around, Mik and I would swear to never act in another one of his “stupid videos,” and then we would be filming the next one without a second’s hesitation.
No matter what it was, Jon could also pull me into one of his whacky ideas and I was along for the ride. One of my favorite memories from my childhood was when Jon thought it would be great to see if I could “fly.” We had a zipline that we had attached our dog’s leash to let her have room to play in the backyard. Jon had the great idea to clip the dog leash to my belt loop and send me down the hill. I, too, thought that was a fool-proof plan. Unfortunately, the full 74 pounds of my body were too much for the leash and I went flying into the woods.
Jon laughed. I did not. Now, we both laugh.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://getthepix.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agirlinblack_and_white/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agirlinblackandwhite/
Image Credits
Sarah French
Erica Lohan
Bryce Yoby
Christian Klein
