Today we’d like to introduce you to Janie Howland.
Janie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I first discovered the world of theatre my sophomore year of high school. Hiding backstage, I found where I fit in. I worked with William Fregosi, a professional set designer, building and painting scenery every day after school. At University of Pennsylvania I worked with Pennsylvania Players and designed my first show, Company. After graduating with a BA in Art History and working at random arts jobs and community theatre, I returned to school to receive my MFA in Scenic Design from Brandeis University. I graduated in 1993 and have been designing scenery in the New England area ever since. I have designed over 250 shows and received 8 awards for scenic design of various shows. I work with many companies from children’s theatre, to off-Broadway, to university theatre and operas. I teach at Emerson and Wellesley Colleges. I am a theatre addict and could work in no other industry.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a set designer for the theatre. I design environments that support a specific vision of a play. My work is sculptural and evocative. The set is the first aspect of a production that the audience encounters and telegraphs the emotional tone for the piece. The designers and director work collaboratively to present a production with a certain “concept” to impact an audience in a particular way. My process involves reading plays, doing research, sketching, drafting, rendering, building models and painting. My work is a form of design and communication that goes to other professionals who create the full size sets. Recently I have had the honor of designing an exhibit space at Mass MOCA with the Come to Your Senses, CONSENSES show.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
Being a theatre artist is not a lonely profession. We work collaboratively and create productions with others. Working on art projects with other artists is wonderful. Brainstorming and exploring ideas with others only improves the outcome. CONSENSES is also a community of artists that have responded to each other’s art to create chains that connect them.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Go to the theatre! See as many shows as possible. Go to Mass MOCA to the Kidspace gallery and the Come to your Senses exhibit. This fall I have designed the set for Kiss of the Spider Woman at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston where I have worked for 25 years and call home. The show will run for the month of September. View my website, www.janiehowland.com
Contact Info:
- Address: 24 Leach lane, Natick, MA 01760
- Website: www.janiehowland.com
- Email: jehowland@verizon.net
- Facebook: janie howland
Image Credit:
Janie Howland
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