Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Forney.
Janet, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
There are so many defining moments that have led me to this time in my life. I was surrounded by family and a community of music from the time I was born. A native of Nacogdoches Texas, I started participating musically by singing in beauty pageants, community and school-based competitions, mentoring younger children in the arts, singing in church and, of course, all great voices from Nacogdoches have had the pleasure of singing with The Interdenominational Youth Choir under the leadership of Mr. Roy Lee Benton.
This sparked my interest to study vocal performance at Texas College, Tyler Texas and from there I grew to love performing classical, Jazz, R&B and gospel music as a vocalist, thanks to the late Dr. Author Botley and Dr. Gregg McPherson. My musical journey had begun. There was Dallas Texas and bands, there were string orchestra concerts, guest singer for countless weddings, anniversaries, major hotel performances, background recording artist and more. It was fun and rewarding, it was passionate!
My life had begun at the same time as a young wife and mother. As a support to my family, I worked in other areas that would add to the journey that I was on, in fashion, retail, and communications.
“Sometimes, life throws you a curve, you either move away from the object thrown or risk destruction.”
In 1990, I moved to Corpus Christi, Texas along with my three beautiful children. I was greeted with open arms in this city by a host of family, friends and West Haven Baptist Church. There, I was assigned by the late Pastor C.L. Jones the role of youth director, and the journey became straight and narrow once again. There were concerts for kids, activities, and plays that I directed for the church and community for many years that would change who I was as an artist. I gained a love for script writing and plays and theater which lead me to go back to school at Texas A&M Corpus Christ, where I majored in communications with an emphasis in theater. There were community theater roles for me, a new job in education, as a music therapy assistant to Corpus Christi ISD’s Music Therapist, Kenja Johnson. There were promotions and a new position as Fine Arts Inclusion Facilitator, where I oversaw the inclusion of special needs students and general education students in performances. This job allowed for fine arts-based involvement with city fine arts venues for students and community. It was at this point that I developed my own fine arts business, Creative Interventions, primarily for coaching children in voice and theater arts.
In 2002, I was afforded the opportunity to return to the DFW area with my children and New husband. I worked as a music teacher for three years at Beltline Intermediate in Cedar Hill, Texas where I created an after-school program for the arts. I went on to explore early childhood education as a kindergarten teacher at Lake Ridge Elementary in Cedar Hill as well. There, I used music and movement to make learning fun, exciting and creative. During those years in my spare time, I developed a love for writing books, poetry, short stories and songs for adults and children. I continued the journey in education receiving my master’s degree in education administration from Concordia University. But there was still a void, I was thirsty for the stage, for singing, inspiring through the arts, directing plays and creating more.
There were pieces of the puzzle all along my path that prompted me to once again form a fine art- based program for myself and other adults and children. As an educator, leader, performer, director, writer, author and recording artist, I am proud to say, all that I gained along the path, is now founded under my company CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS THEATER MUSIC MOVEMENT AND MORE.
Once again, my journey is in forward motion and the path ahead of me will be purposeful, fun and rewarding for all.
“There’s so much more to come.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There were obstacles, but I see obstacles as another set of goals on the staircase of life to climb. I just look at them from a distance assess how to deal with each step and then, start climbing. There’s always been a hole to climb out of but because of my faith in God, I have had the strength each time to pull out and begin the climb once more.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Creative Interventions Theater story. Tell us more about your work.
As Creative Interventions Theater Music Movement and More, I provide music and theatrical services.
I specialize in singing in various styles, Jazz, neo-soul, classical and Inspirational music. I perform with musicians for many special occasions, corporate events, and causes. I am currently the featured artist for Jazz Ambience a networking group sponsored by Team One Support.
I am a storyteller and poet for weddings, anniversaries, reunions and birthdays. These stories are told alone or with a theatrical group as readers theater using music and minimal staging to set the tone.
I write and produce plays, short stories and poetry for clients as requested that support a positive message of diversity, hope, peace, and love through a diverse style of music and movement.
I am currently writing for my own staged performances and will soon have casting calls for various characters.
There are several programs available for workshops on Readers Theater for performance for adults, teens, and children. The workshops are available for educators as well, on using readers theater to enhance literacy skills and for public performance.
I am most proud of the programs in place to enhance literacy for both adults and children, to help them find their voice through short stories, plays, and spoken word and through readers theater for the performance.
What makes me different?
I am different in that I have something in the arts for all ages under one theatrical umbrella. but most of all
the combination of the arts and literacy used to enhance the ability of peoples reading, skills using their voice to bring the characters to life through readers theater.
With Creative Interventions the stage, script, spoken word or song is a healing place, fun place or simply entertainment.
There is always an intervention, a change on stage or off. How do I know? I can see it, people tell me after a show or performance they always come away with something positive.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I simply rely on my faith in God.
Pricing:
- Books https://www.amazon.com/Think-My-Mommy-Tooth-Fairy/dp/1524614475 19.99 book kindle 3.99
- The Jazz Ambience Tickets ( Featured Artist) $25.00
-
You can find music and poetry by Janet Forney at CDbaby.com and anywhere music is sold online.
Contact Info:
- Website: creativeitheater.com
- Email: hiswill2sky@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Craig Brooks photography, Team One Support
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
