Meet Janet Miller | Theatre Producer, Director, Choreographer and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janet Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janet, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have taken several risks in my career. If my first reaction to a project is, “No. I can’t do that,” then I know I should. Often I don’t think about the choices as risks until after the fact. I would not be doing what I am doing today if I hadn’t taken many leaps of faith.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career in the Theatre started as a dancer, but I stepped into choreography at an early age. That lead to summer stock and directing & choreographing musicals. Directing straight plays came next. Creating my own troupe, Good People Theatre Company, producing was added to the mix. I am very proud of Good People and the shows we presented, especially the LA full production premiere of the musical, A Man of No Importance. I am also proud to be the original choreographer of The Marvelous Wonderettes which ran Off Broadway and at many regional theatres. No, I wouldn’t say a career in the Theatre is easy and there were lots of challenges, but it is what I do, so I just kept doing it. Saying yes to many projects in my early career helped me have a wide range of experiences. The most important lessons I learned: Be accountable, show up and be prepared. I am, at heart, a spare storyteller. The actors and writing are at the center. Everything else is icing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Palm Desert currently for my job but LA is my city. Take a road trip to Cambria and Carmel. Stop in Buellton for Pea Soup and Solvang for Aebleskivers.
Go to some of the fun haunts, El Coyote, Casa Vega, Los Gringos Locos and, my favourite, Lusy’s Mediterranean Cafe.
Descanso Gardens is a must! Also, Knott’s Berry Farm for that amusement park excursion with the classic Chicken Dinner included.
A day trip to Laguna Beach and eat at The Royal Hawaiian.
A visit to the Tam O’ Shanter after hanging out in Griffith Park, The Observatory and the LA Zoo.
See a show at the Ahmanson, the Pasadena Playhouse or any of our wonderful intimate theatres in LA.
Get a Disney fix by seeing a film at the El Capitan, and have a Hollywood Blvd. adventure. Check out the Walk of Fame. Stop by The Frolic Room for a quick drink.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery to visit some stars and pay tribute.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve had so many people who have given me wonderful opportunities! Milt Larsen, Burt Peachy, Georgia Well, Tamara Long, Jane Ring Frank, Dr. William Wolak, Paul Tines, College Light Opera Company, Adriane Coros/Golden State Theatre, Torrance Theatre Company, Steve DeForest/Manhattan Beach Players, Directors Lab West. I could go on and on…

Website: https://janetmiller.net/