THE OFFICIAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

Janai is a Detroit-based theatre practitioner who has professionally studied, trained, and graduated with degrees in Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University (2010) and Ohio University’s MFA Acting program (2021).

 

She considers herself an ‘artivist’ and ‘artreprenoir’, having co- founded two theatres, and starting a consulting business in efforts to contribute to the ever growing worldwide body of noteworthy artistry. These intentions are reflective in her acting credits which include some of the following stage productions; Detroit ‘67 as Chelle, Halftime with Don as Sarah Ryan, Fat Ham as Rabbi, Joe Turner's Come and Gone as Molly, Eight Nights as Arlene, Ms.Harrison as Asiha, Game.Set. Match as Ensemble, and Fairview as Jasmine. 

 

Building authentic community in the arts has been a purposeful passion of Lashon for over ten years she has been involved in multiple capacities from productions to programs including but not limited to ; Mosaic Youth Theatre, RARE Breed: Hip Hop Theatre Festival, Detroit Communities in Schools, TAG at Detroit Public Theatre,  Alliance Theatre, Arts West, Broadway Advocacy Coalition; Artivist Fellowship  and the Black Arts & Cultural Center to name a few. 

 

She equally values and enjoys the continuation of learning + training in the craft and does so  with the Detroit Drama Studio lead and founded by Brian Sullivan Taylor, in the past she studied  at the Stella Adler’s Black Arts Institute Winter Immersion at the Billie Holiday Theatre (2020) and the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (Summer 2009). 

 

Janai Lashon  is so excited to be debuting with Michigan Shakespeare Festival this summer with her first professional Shakespearean performances.