Hey there, jana here
I’m an actress, singer/songwriter, screenwriter & VO artist.
Based in Vancouver BC
demo reel
about me
I’m Jana, a Palestinian & Lebanese Canadian screenwriter, filmmaker, music artist, and actress.
As a child, I fell in love with stories learning about my family’s rich yet harrowing history through our elder's retelling. Growing up in multicultural hubs like Qatar, the UAE, and Canada, I discovered the magic of stories especially in how they bridge socio-cultural gaps. In my youth, we migrated to several different countries, yet despite the sense of alienation, storytelling and performing always helped me connect with people, wherever I went.
After majoring in Japanese Language and Culture at UBC, I was on track to become an English tutor in Japan. When the pandemic in 2020 derailed those plans, I was adamant to return to storytelling and pursue my acting dreams, and the world of cinema by large. I returned to BC and have since graduated from the FTV program at Vancouver Acting School in 2022. I am presently represented by MJWatts Talent Management.
resumé
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“A-Flat” - Lead - Northwestern University
“i-Cupid” - Actor - MetFilm School Berlin
Cottbus film festival trailer - Actor - MetFilm School Berlin
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“Sweeney Todd” - Mrs Lovett - Qatar International School (QIS) Dir. Katherine Earl
“Into The Woods” - Baker’s Wife - QIS Dir. Diane Ferag
“The Wizard of Oz” - Dorothy - QIS Dir. Alice Marshal
“Alice In Wonderland” - Red Queen -QIS Dir. Katherine Earl
“Midsummer Night’s Dream” - Puck - Doha Players Community Theatre Group
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ONGOING/UPCOMING TRAINING -
INDEPENDENT WORKSHOPS
Alchemy Actor’s Studio - w/ Bart Anderson & session w/ Dir. Jason Furukawa.
Vancouver VO workshop - w/ Sarah Troyer & Rhonda Rees.
Deb Podowski Acting Studio - upcoming in June 2023.
PAST TRAINING -
UBC
THTR 120 - Intro to Theatre
THTR 130 - Intro to Stage Acting - Gayle Murphy
VANCOUVER ACTING SCHOOL
Fundamentals - Geoff Gustafson
Scene Study - Nils Hognestad, Janet Kidder
Audition - Daniel Bacon, Erin Boyes, Scott Patey, David James Lewis
Improv - Eduard Witzke, Scott Patey
Voice & Movement - Francesca Bianchi, Shelbey Wyminga
Text Analysis & Screenwriting - Matthew Kowalchuk
Voice Over - Sarah Troyer, Katrina Salisbury, Ely Jackson
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MUSICAL:
Singing (mezzo-soprano), Piano & Guitar (by ear), Music Production (FL studios) & Songwriting, Rap (basic).
WRITING:
Screenwriting, Playwriting, Poetry, Journalling, Minute-taking, Translation (Arabic-English | Japanese-English)
COMEDY:
Improv & Stand-Up
ACCENTS/ VOICE:
Standard American, Southern, Valley, Jersey, New York, English (RP), London/Cockney, Irish, Scottish, French, German, Russian, Arab.
Animals - dog: realistic bark, howl, etc.
PHYSICAL/SPORTS:
Skiing (intermediate), Swimming (intermediate), Roller Blading (intermediate), Figure Skating (basic), Tennis (basic), Hip Hop, Contemporary Dance & Ballet (basic), Belly Dance (intermediate)
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English (fluent) | Arabic (fluent) Japanese (intermediate) | French (basic)
