Janna Sobel
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PUBLIC SPEAKER & PERFORMER
PUBLIC SPEAKER & PERFORMER
With nearly two decade's experience as a performer, I bring a dynamic, playful, genuine presence to any platform. I view the invitation to address people as an opportunity to listen for what they need first, and then put words to what matters. I use comedy and personal narrative to highlight the beautiful, absurd, difficult, and hope-giving aspects of shared experience that often go unspoken. I enjoy making people laugh, sense possibility, and remember things they already know but may have forgotten.
As a speaker, I address the subjects of Healthy Group Dynamics and Creative Collaboration. I address listening and trust, and how these effect well-being in communities and individuals. I give attention to the knowing life inside people, and the good things that may come from honoring it. With delight and humor, I examine the obstacles placed in the way of trusting ourselves and each other, and offer strategies for their removal.
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I have been a guest speaker for MOFi's Living Lab, Columbia College, WBEZ, Young Chicago Authors, The Young Non Profit Professionals Network, and The I&M Canal National Heritage Area, where I gave the Keynote address. I was once booked to give the Sunday sermon at Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple!
As a solo performer and storyteller, I've been invited to stage two solo shows with Chicago Solo Theater, and won the world-renowned Uptown Poetry Slam's first and only Story Slam. I've been honored as a Year's Best Storyteller by The Encyclopedia Show and Real Talk Live, am a 3-time story slam winner with Write Club, and have been repeat-performer for Essay Fiesta, Story Club, This Much is True, and Chicago Slam Works. I've been a featured writer/performer for The Antidote, Young Chicago Authors, Story Sessions, Small Fish Radio Theater and Write Bloody Publishing.
I am also an actor and improvisor, and in these Zoom times, I continue to speak, perform and play in tiny digital rectangles all over the world. If you'd like to invite me to speak, tell a story, or perform with your group, say hello! I'll reply within 48 hours.
"Janna Sobel's stories are remarkable for what they unearth about the reader/listener's own hidden agendas toward love, sorrow and triumph. It is not often that a writer - and here i speak of the whole writer; read or listened to - can create such 'seeing eye' works. Janna's stories undress and affirm at once.
You will be transformed."
Roger Bonair-Agard~ Cave Canem Poet & two time National Poetry Slam Champion
Roger Bonair-Agard~ Cave Canem Poet & two time National Poetry Slam Champion
"Janna Sobel is a warm, compassionate, and caring speaker, host and cultural producer. Her talks have a family feeling to them, which isn't something you can teach: making people feel welcome is in her bones. Chicago's arts and cultural scene is so much better with Janna in it."
Tyler Greene~ Producer for The Moth, WBEZ and NPR
Tyler Greene~ Producer for The Moth, WBEZ and NPR
"Janna Sobel is a gifted writer and storyteller. Her ability to capture the human condition by seamlessly integrating vivid imagery and poetic language into engaging narratives is unparalleled."
Keith Ecker~ Producer of PleasureTown podcast and Guts & Glory live lit show
Keith Ecker~ Producer of PleasureTown podcast and Guts & Glory live lit show
"I recommend Janna Sobel an actor of exceptional talent and as a theater artist of professional caliber. I have worked with Ms. Sobel over many years and in many capacities, and she has always approached her work with a commitment that translates into skillful and memorable performances. Her outstanding performance as Carlotta in The Ascension of Carlotta earned consistently excellent reviews from critics and enthusiastic responses from audiences."
Will Dunne~ Author of The Dramatic Writer's Companion:
Tools to Develop Characters, Cause Scenes, and Build Stories
Will Dunne~ Author of The Dramatic Writer's Companion:
Tools to Develop Characters, Cause Scenes, and Build Stories
"Janna Sobel is one of the most open-hearted, passionate, and dedicated improvisers I've ever had the pleasure of working with."
Jason Shotts~ Improvisor & Teacher at iO Chicago
Jason Shotts~ Improvisor & Teacher at iO Chicago
"As an actress, Janna’s tremendous intuitiveness makes her a powerful interpreter of new work. She brings humor, compassion, and great sensitivity to the characters she plays, and her fearless choices always reveal hidden layers and new possibilities. When I am working on a new script, Janna is one of the first artists I always think of to bring the work alive—‘cause that’s exactly what she does."
MT Cozzola~ Jeff Award nominated playwright
MT Cozzola~ Jeff Award nominated playwright
"Your talk was breathtaking. Your work leaves me inspired. Thank you for sharing with such spirited generosity. You have a way of bringing a room to new elevations."
Alyson Lyon~ Writer & Producer
Alyson Lyon~ Writer & Producer
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CONTACT
CONTACT
Please enter your information in the fields to the left, and I will reply soon.
Thanks kindly,
Janna