Janai Lashon

The Piano Lesson Farewell Post Caption Loading …. Rest & Reflection in Session Please Like. Comment & Subscribe I’ll Be Back with the Rest of my Commentary Love and Gratitude Present

Out of allllll the rehearsal halls and processes I have had thus far, This one might break the record on how many times I heard “I love you”. As a certified/retired Lover Girl that stands out to me the most. I love Brokeology back, in ways words can’t express. I mean I laughed my face off before so many shows with my castmates and SMs! Something about Sonia King wouldn’t allow me to hit the back door like I usually do cause ya girl social battery be 🪫 especially after a show. I found myself humbly leading in the hug ministry for those that needed it, cause this show carried a different type of weight! I watched 4 Kings come and play full out, push themselves, hold space for each other to grow and celebrate their gifts of artistry. And lastly, I am proud to say I taught them how to play dominos by beating them badly during tech! Lol Sike!!! Salute to the cast & company of Brokeology and Farewell to Sonia, Queen of the Kings!

The Piano Lesson was and is the lesson that keeps on giving, the music has tenacity, bass, and bold scats that match a truthful beat. The tempo has been curated to love you to and thru the truth. This offer of an opportunity to direct has been one of the weigh•est art blessings I’ve had in a while. As a Black Theatre Girl Wilson has been instrumental in my belonging in American Theatre. Dr. Von Washington coached me into WMU with Fences and I remember him saying you must know all of Wilson! Read the whole cycle, it will be expected of you as a Black Actor. Fast Forward to directing Black Shakespeare ( August Wilson) as my professional directorial debut. What a train ride full of steam, passion, challenges, support, testing, triumphs, dreaming, revising, holding space and releasing control, to say I learned a lot would be an understatement and in all of my learning I am beyond eager for the Detroit community to experience this production that was built with inclusive black excellence in mind , intentional care, warmth, love, pain, sweat, blood, money, my friends near and far, prayers, food, heartbreaks, tears, struggle, effort, advocacy, breath, hugs, boundaries, birthdays, accountability, gratitude, and standing on business like theatre thugs do. Cause one thing you must know and it ain’t up for debate! My cast is DIFFERENT!!! And I mean that in the most righteous ways. God sent them and I picked them! And don’t even get me started on the scenic design spear headed by Drew ( the first time I ever worked with a Black scenic designer I have been acting over 20+ years) There is appreciation for the whole design team, management and production . And as any good directHER there’s always one to 1,000 things you want to change but the list of things I wouldn’t change is even longer. This has been my art baby since this summer and now that the labor is done! I must say Mama is proud and blowing kisses goodbye as the babies soar our story to new levels and heights! Thank you Wilson for another unforgettable moment in my art journey

THIS MONDAY, pull up for ACT UP: Actors Workshop 🎭 🆙 🎤 Participants will read and work through various hip hop monologues and scenes and explore techniques to improve your onstage presence. Build community ~ Build confidence ~ Act Up! Led by @jlashon 🔥 🗓️ Monday, March 9 📍 Human I-T on Seven Mile 6375 W Seven Mile Rd. Detroit ⌚️7 PM 🎟️ Pay-What-You-Can RSVP on Eventbrite using the link in the bio. All Donations directly support the BRED Hip-Hop Theatre Festival. #detroitactors #hiphoptheatre

Rollercoaster Summer This summer can’t simply be described it just had to be experienced in the moment for the moment and that’s it ,that’s all. Dare I say, it makes all the hippy dippy// mindfulness practices actually valid when positioned to be present in these moment to moment moments that shape our lives. I want so badly to brag about how I pushed through and did it all in my own. The toxic flex of independence vs resilience. It’s interesting to be out growing the “ I can do it all by myself phase of life”. I wonder where that comes from? For me I think it’s about not appearing as a user and a loser. When really I could be negating someone of an opportunity to show up and contribute their gifts, resources and wisdom in my life. This summer I was blessed to serve in my purpose with youth. I was offered an opportunity to humbly co create with the women of Huron Valley Prison , I cried, I created, I taught, I built community intentionally, I prayed, I screamed, I dreamed, I loved, I laughed, I observed the moon, I reached out to old friends, I hugged and kissed my nephews, I ventured to festivals, I laid eyes on my God babies, I played cards on a Sunday with one of my best friends parents, I detoxed, I listened, I held my best friend’s first born, I silenced the noise, I restored my faith , I lost a dear friend … I lost a dear friend… That’s where the rollercoaster ends in this odd limbo of hurt and sweet memories. I know it still counts but the news of Oliva Matthews being unalived has made my moments more gray and an earth shaking reminder to cherish each shared moment we have together. To send random texts no matter how much time passes. To enjoy and appreciate the rollercoaster of life even when it ends at least you did it with someone you can call friend.

We wrapped our final BRED Hip-Hop Monologue Writing Workshop for the summer! Each session was 🔥🤯🙌🏾Writers, actors, hip-hop artists and folks who just wanted to see what this is all about came through and created some HEAT. Some songs that were workshopped this past session included “Swimming Pools” , “Gimme The Loot”, “C.R.E.A.M.”, “Bars on I-85”, and “What’s The 411?” Next up, on Wednesday, August 6th we’re at Miss Eva’s Detroit for our last VERSES/VERSUS of the summer. Pull up to hear some of these verses live! After which we get into 👉🏾HIP-HOP JEOPARDY👈🏾 6 categories, 5 questions each, 1 final Jeopardy question and 1 winning team 🏆‼️ @wundr.y hosts 🗣️🎤and @king.kvll sets the musical vibes 👨🏾‍💻🎶 everyone has a good time 🤩 Learn more about BRED and the mission of Hip-Hop Theatre at Hiphoptheatrefest.com and please consider making a donation to support the future of Hip-Hop Theatre here in Detroit! ✌🏾➕❤️

🗣️ACTORS! WRITERS! HIP-HOP FANS! After 2 amazing sessions in May and June, we’re preparing to close out our summer Hip-Hop Monologue Workshop series tomorrow (July 8) at 6PM. Wanna join? Make sure to RSVP before tomorrow. Now let’s get to creating! 📝 🧠 ✨ 🎤 Learn how a hip-hop monologue is created with workshop facilitator and Kresge award-winning playwright, Shawntai McCall-Brown @shawnbscribe . Then discover theater performance techniques with Wilde Award winning actor, and co-workshop facilitator Janai Lashon @jlashon . Step your hip-hop theatre game up and just have a good time! The event is free. Refreshments and workshop materials will be provided🫳🏾🎤✌🏾

Skeleton Crew by @domorisseau Acting Coach: David Haugen Audition Footage from 2019 Status: Accepted & Scholarship Awarded Institute of Study: @stellaadler Black Winter Immersive at the @billieholidaytheatre Reminding My Self How My Gifts & Talents will always make room for me.

I had no choice but to trust myself/ my process and God something fierce this time around with Detroit’67. Immediately After closing Halftime with Don I became grossly ill with the bitchass FLU!!!! And we was boxing 🥊 for like a week. Annnnnd the way my amazing director and cast held me down/ up and trusted me made a major difference in my comeback! I was encouraged and supported in putting my health first and that was a foreign offering to me (insert theatre trauma/ hazing culture here). And I just don’t get sick like that! And in that offering of genuine support and the grace/ space to be human. I was and dare I say ….we all were positioned to play, take deep dives, soar, ground our truth, fall in love, fight, hold space, cry, cheer on, shift, resolve, and the story just kept on giving us everything we needed to do it justice! My family and friends did what they always do show up! Making that trip from the Zoo blessed me and reminded me that I’m worth it, and others think I’m worth it too and they have the actions to prove it. To my new and true Detroit community and tribe, there’s nothing but ongoing gratitude! Cheers to another round of Chelle! Salute to the Black Babies of DPS that confirm my purpose and life work through their reflections and effortless ability to see me. Shoutout to the original Chelle that I got to hug!! Round of applause to my amazing cast mates & crew….🤞🏾 and Lord willing and it aligns we get to do it again. Detroit ‘67 is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Like your favorite record, you just can’t throw it away.

Now you didn’t think we’d let 313 day (and Dominique’s Birthday), end before shouting out our 313 day play #detroit67 by @domorisseau Dominique Morisseau, which begins 📅 NEXT WEEK, Tuesday, March 18, until Saturday, March 22nd at our Third Avenue Garage space! Our company includes: Marley Boone as CAROLINE Henrí Franklin as LANK Janai Lashon as CHELLE Brian Marable as SLY Mildred Victoria Penman as BUNNY They’ve been on a local tour all week, and we cannot wait to welcome them next week. Tickets 🎟️ are only $25 🙌🏾 Check out the link 🔗 in our profile 👆🏾to get yours today… #313day #detroitday #detroit67

‼️ Not only do you have 3 weeks left to catch CONFEDERATES, but you’ve also got 3 weeks UNTIL our Detroit ‘67 sit down performances. As part of our local tour, we will have 5 on-site performances at $25 from Tuesday, March 18th - Saturday, March 22nd!! So what are you waiting for?! We’ll share the cast later on, but for now... get on it! 🎟️ Get your tickets using the 🔗 link in our profile! 👆🏾 ABOUT DETROIT ‘67 Summary. In 1967 Detroit, Motown music is getting the party started, and Chelle and her brother Lank are making ends meet by turning their basement into an after-hours joint. But when a mysterious woman finds her way into their lives, the siblings clash over much more than the family business. #detroit67 #dominiquemorisseau #detroitrebelkion

There were flowers that had my name on them for Opening Night and I wasn’t ready. To be described as “Sunshine in the Room” and to hear clapping after a solo scene with no talking!!! The playwright was in attendance and did I mention it was a Michigan Premiere!!! Like what a weekend. Followed by kind sentiments from cast mates and audience members. Special Opening Night moments that I will cherish!! Sarah Ryan is a character I crafted with so much softness, warmth, and strength that when asked by the director do I love her without hesitation the answer is/ was “yes!” I love her for so many reasons. I know her secrets, truths, and fears and she is holding all mine with a grace I hope to recreate in my reality. But for now I will continue to play with purpose and celebrate the magic that’s in motion!!! I promise you haven’t seen me perform like this before and you don’t want to miss it! 🎟️ Info in the Bio Cheers To Halftime with Don! Photo Credit: Wallace Bridges