Today we’d like to introduce you to Janelle Ranek.
Hi Janelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always known that I wanted to be an actor and have always had a passion for the theater since I was a kid. The idea of embodying other characters, whether they’re human, animals, or even inanimate objects, just made sense and came naturally to me.
I moved to Minneapolis to work with the Children’s Theater Company, after that I bounced around from various odd jobs, but it was not at all fulfilling. It was then that I realized that I had to take the leap and dedicate myself to making a living in theater and the arts. I gave myself one year and figured if I couldn’t make it, I would try something else.
Not long after making this decision, I took a position at CLIMB Theater. My role evolved from a touring actor within their performing company to an actor educator. I had the privilege of being mentored by one of the finest individuals in the field, Peggy Endres. It was here that I discovered my passion for fusing the worlds of theater and education into one. This is when I truly began to evolve as an artist. My journey then led me to serve as the Artistic Director of the American Variety Theatre Company, a youth theatre located in North Minneapolis.
For ten years, I worked with children ranging from ages 4 – 21. Because of limited resources, it was during this time that I embarked on my playwriting career. I crafted numerous plays and collaborated with the youth to produce unique original works. Our youth theatre company didn’t stop at the stage; we had a dynamic touring improv troupe that addressed crucial issues affecting young people. This venture was genuinely innovative and exhilarating, providing countless kids with a creative outlet to explore acting, dance, and other performing arts.
I am still in touch with many of these young people today, and they all have said what a pivotal part being involved in that theatre played in their lives. This reinforces to me the power theater can play in people’s lives. Since the closing of that theatre, I have continued my work as an Actor, Educator, Director, Writer, Filmmaker, and self-proclaimed superhero. I continue to push myself as an artist. Being in nature has always been the best creative space for me. My wife and I spend a great deal of time outside with our dog, a German Shepherd named Lady Roo Toastcrumb.
We often go on long runs where we create new characters and come up with new material for my one-woman show. Because of our love of the outdoors, about 10 years ago, we began competing in triathlons. Triathlon became much more than swimming, biking, and running; it also brought me to filmmaking. Through the Doc U program at SPNN (St. Paul Neighborhood Network), I created an award-winning documentary about our triathlon journey, and have gone on to create numerous short films.
I love the theatre. It can move people to tears, to uncontrolled laughter, and it can make people think and question and engage with others. It can change lives. And this is why I knew that I must, no matter what, be an artist.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
That’s an interesting question. I don’t think for any artist the road is smooth! It’s such a tenuous, competitive, and emotional field. I went through some incredibly dark years. I wrestled with alcohol and drug abuse and found myself on the streets. I had lost my way.
It was a challenging period, to say the least. I was very fortunate to have a caring family who reached out and quite literally saved my life. I’ve been in recovery for a little over 38 years now, and I can say without a doubt that if I hadn’t cleaned up, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today. I don’t regret those struggles one bit. They’ve shaped me into who I am today and have equipped me to work with young people, some of whom are in high-risk situations. I use theatre and creativity to show them that there’s an outlet and a way to express themselves.
I firmly believe that the most profound learning often happens during life’s struggles. I approach life with a deep sense of empathy for those around me. It’s this empathy that not only makes me a better artist but also a better educator and a better person.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Throughout my journey, I’ve always been driven by a dual passion; to be a performer and creator while simultaneously serving as an educator. I consider myself immensely fortunate to have melded these aspects into a fulfilling career as a freelance artist for many years. At present, I am fortunate to work as an artist in residence at City Academy, the nation’s first Charter School in East St. Paul.
I direct yearly performances at Hastings High School, and I work at GAP school (Guadalupe Alternative Programs) where, along with a group of ELL refugee students, we script an original autobiographical performance. They share the struggle of their lives, and the beauty of their cultures with an audience of their peers in their school and other high schools. Post performance they then have hands-on stations in which there is a sharing of activities. It’s a beautiful collaboration between young people and evidence of the power of teaching empathy.
Another gig I’ve started recently is as a host with Sassy Lassy Events. Sassy Lassy is an organization whose mission is to be agents of laughter, joy, and genuine connection. I have the privilege to host games and do what I live for, make people laugh! Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of performing at various local theater companies, I realized that one of my true callings was crafting original characters and stories. That’s when I began my writing career, and for over two decades, I’ve been bringing original work to life.
It began with an original play called Yard Sale in which my comedy partner and I portray two roommates having a yard sale. We play all of the people attending the yard sale, and the audience brings the tackiest yard sale item they can think of, and we work everything into the show using improv. It was a brilliant success, so much so that we even wrote and performed a sequel.
Building on the success of those two original performances, I created a one-woman show. Over two decades ago, the first iteration of “Letters to Santa” was born. This holiday-themed comedy show features me taking on the personas of at least ten characters, all of whom are writing letters to Santa Claus. This is where I genuinely challenge myself as a performer, striving to breathe life into these characters as authentically as possible.
I am incredibly fortunate to write and create this production with my wife, Brenda Lucy. She’s not a performer, she’s a librarian and now a comedy writer. Together we come up with truly hilarious fantastic work. Over 40 original characters have appeared in Letters to Santa at the Bryant Lake Bowl over these past years. As a performer, getting into the bones of these characters who are so near and dear to me, and completely transforming to make people laugh is the best feeling in the world.
Some of my favorite characters include Gloria a martini swilling crass old broad who tells it like it is. Her aunt Hillderina who dons an enormous beehive and fancies herself a crafter extraordinaire, Lois, the hyperactive 8-year-old who has more energy than a squirrel preparing for winter, and Larry Dyc an entrepreneur determined to get on Shark Tank. These are but a few. I am so blessed to live this life.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I firmly believe that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. This has been true for me throughout my career. I think that when one is being true to themselves and their work and coming from a place of humility rather than ego, opportunities will present themselves.
Being a freelance artist is hard work. But I think that if you are committed to what you do, you find those who will support your visions and ideals. Artists must support each other, even if the mediums are entirely different. We must look out for each other.
Being an artist is grueling, and hard on the ego. But it is also very rewarding. Be true to yourself, and remember, failure is not the end, it’s lessons. I don’t know if that’s any solid concrete advice per se, but it’s what I believe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://insideoutunderwear.com/about/
- Instagram: @insideoutunderwear_iou
- Facebook: @janelleranek & letters to Santa Holiday Show
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOP6H_wM0XwtjgZjT_j_VpQ
Image Credits
Gloria and Hillderina, Brenda Lucy, Thomas Bonneville, Half Ironman Triathlon, Inez Bolshwieger (portrayed by Janelle Ranek), Janelle and Lady Roo Toastcrumb, Liz Anderson, and Thomas Bonneville
