Meet the superbly multi-talented Jane Miller, who divides her time between the stage and, these days, strawbale home construction. She is directing the production of BLUE that opens this week at the Bloor West Village Playhouse.
Where did you grow up? Why?
Flavian Crescent in North York at Don Mills and Finch. Only home til I moved downtown for theatre school at 19. Dad grew up downtown Toronto, Mom and Dad chose the lot on the street when they were still just staked out in a field.
How long have you been in Toronto?
My whole life.
Toronto is…a wonderful place to live, work, grow up, raise kids, ride your bike, very green, full of friendly engaging people, excellent restaurants, and surprises every day.
What do you do for a living?
Acting, singing, composing, coaching singers, roleplay and coaching for the financial and medical industries, roleplay for a psychologist who teaches conflict resolution to corporate clients, and any other interesting thing that seems challenging enough to hold my interest if someone asks me and offers decent pay.
What keeps you busy?
General contracting the building of a strawbale house on the site of my family’s cottage. It will have a geothermal unit and radiant infloor heating. Right now the foundation is going in but Richard and I have been doing some of the grunt work ourselves (moving debris, digging out clay.) And directing /dramaturging Romeo Ciolfi’s play BLUE in a co-op (so also sewing the scrim, acquiring props, helping find costumes, writing press releases and the like.)
What was your favourite summer job?
Summer theatre where my family cottage was. Started ushering at 11, Production Assistant at 15 and continued to work there as Assistant Stage Manager and Actor for the next seven years.
Dream job? Why?
Acting /Singing/ Creating / Directing / Composing in any way, shape or form. I love working on a team toward a purpose creatively.
What’s your passion?
Supporting and contributing to excellent communication, deep listening and clear, fearless self-expression.
If I say jump? I say Jump with me.
What do you give back to the No Fly Zone
I ride my bike to commute around the city as much as possible so I give back clean air. I have lived in the area for over 20 years now and have given back my delight at living in this awesome neighbourhood.
What can we do to make Toronto a "world class" city?
Stop worrying about competing and start focusing on supporting what’s already great and expanding it. Transit, bike lanes, forest canopy, air quality (turn that car off when you’re sitting there!) kindness, courtesy, more cultural events and getting out to take part in them.
Are you an artist? Yes.
How does art influence your life?
Makes me reflect on something I wouldn’t have otherwise. Beauty or clarity, in nature as well as art, captures something ineffable so that I can focus on it, consider, delve, be moved. And that fuels me to make my own capture.
Hands or feet?
Feet. My hands do so much for me but my feet take the brunt of it and I love them for it. (A foot massage is my Achilles and my husband knows this.)
Worst public moment?
No single moment comes to mind. I tend to go clown the second I’m embarrassed so it becomes performance, even in small ways. Worst are when I say something without thinking and hurt someone else.
Why do you live here? It’s my home.
Two Beatles left: Ringo and Paul. Who wins in a smackdown?
Ringo. And I will soothe Paul’s wounds.
Favourite public space?
The Toronto Islands. An amazing in-city getaway when you can’t get somewhere further.
Who are your favorite artists? Kate Bush, Kurt Vonnegut
Who are your favourite Toronto artists?
Dancer/Choreographers Viv Moore and Julia Sasso, Director/Dramaturge Brian Quirt of Nightswimming Theatre, Hat maker Gwendolyne Preboy, Singer/Actor Thom Allison, Actor Seana McKenna.
Mon Chi Chi, My Little Pony, Barbie? discuss.
Have extensive experience with Barbie – had Barbie pool, Barbie Friend Ship (half a plane, Barbie was the stewardess), a walking Ken doll, and many, many clothes my mother made for her. Never experienced either Mon Chi Chi or MLP. Thank God. We used to hang our Barbie’s off the poplar trees in my cousin’s backyard or tie them to string and throw them. She had the Barbie RV. I was very jealous.
