Jeanette van Nieuwstadt started singing before she started walking. As she grew up, her passion for singing blossomed into a passion for musical theatre as well, when she joined her first official musical at Southwood United Church when she was 9. There, she continued to perform in shows for 5 years, and joined anything musical in her school, whether that be dance, choir, or drama. Jeanette is currently a member of Dirty Laundry’s Improv Company at Lunchbox Theatre, as well.
In 2017, Jeanette began taking voice classes and performing at many concerts and events. Over the years, Jeanette has earned many scholarships and awards, and is currently working towards her Grade 9 Royal Conservative Voice Exam and Grade 8 Theory Exam.
The first Storybook Theatre production that Jeanette watched was White Christmas directed by JP Thibodeau in 2012. Since then, she has watched shows in every season at Storybook Theatre. When she got old enough, she began volunteering at Storybook shows – any chance she got to see theatre, she did. After dreaming of being in a Storybook production for years, she finally auditioned and got into her first show, Bring It On: The Musical, at Storybook’s Student Summer Intensive Program. This year – earning the difficult role of Wenda in Spring Awakening, I know that Jeanette feels honoured and excited. She has a new family here, at Storybook; people who love and support her. What is most important to Jeanette is her family and friends. She loves with her entire heart, and tries to spend as much time as she can with her family. She fills our home with lightness and utter joy.
In her spare time, Jeanette loves to dance, play volleyball, rugby, and badminton. As passionate as she is about theatre, Jeanette still tries to maintain a balanced and plentiful life. She is a combination of intelligence, humour and talent.
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What ‘hood’ are you from?
I currently live in the neighbourhood, Southwood, residing in southwest Calgary.
What do you do?
I am currently a senior at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy High School. However, when I am not in classes, I am a devout musical theatre performer. Whether that be writing music, taking voice classes, or dancing at studios, I always try to be surrounded by the fine arts.
What are you currently working on?
We just finished filming the musical Spring Awakening at Storybook Theatre! The role of Wendla Bergmann and the themes of the show were tough to tackle, but Storybook provided such a wonderful safe space and opportunity for me to grow as an all around theatre performer and as a person. Currently, I am spending the last bit of my summer working on my tap and ballet skills as well as some songwriting!
Where can we find your work?
You can currently see me in the Sater Cast of Spring Awakening by Storybook Theatre! Ticket information can be found here.
You can stay updated for future projects of mine by following my Instagram @jeanette.vann
