Jan Michener is the Founder and Executive Director of Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Inc. Jan is a professional actress (SAG/AFTRA) and teaching artist who has worked with all ages in various types of theatre education for many years. Jan graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from The State University of New York in 1978. She received her Masters of Education from Widener University in 2000 and was awarded the Outstanding Student Teacher of the year award. She was selected by the Philadelphia Theatre Alliance to participate in the Roundabout Theatre 2011 Summer Teaching Artist Initiative in New York City.
In the spring of 1995, Jan was the Artist-in-Resident for St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Kennett Square, PA, where she wrote and directed environmental plays and Earth Week activities for all K-8 classes. From 1996-2000 she taught at Chadds Ford Elementary School in Chadds Ford, PA, where she started a “Science in Action Program.” This program included writing and directing plays with science and ecological themes. From 2001-2003, Ms. Michener taught English and Life Management Skills at Charles F. Patton Middle School in the Unionville/ Chadds Ford School District and ran a multi-grade after school drama program. She facilitated a weekly Living History Storytelling group at the Kennett Area Senior Center from 2005-2023.
From August 2008 to January 2010 she was the Director of the Philadelphia Senior Center Theatre Group, where she wrote and directed two shows each season. Jan was highlighted in the May 2009 Milestones Newsletter for Arts and Aging for her show "There's No Place Like Home" that she co-created and directed with the drama group.
Jan was a Master Teaching Artist with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, where she facilitated hands on interactive theatre workshops for the Passport Residency Program. In 2012, she created Hands Across the Ages which brought seniors from the Philadelphia Senior Center and teenagers from the World Communications Charter School together to share personal stories and create theatre pieces based on their lives and social justice for PTC's Philly Reality.
Jan was a teaching artist with Philadelphia Young Playwrights 2006-2013. She was a 2009 Adele Magner Memorial Award Recipient as part of an exemplary teaching and playwriting team.
Find out more about Jan here: http://www.intheeyephotography.com/2019/08/people-of-kennett-square-jan-michener/
In the spring of 1995, Jan was the Artist-in-Resident for St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Kennett Square, PA, where she wrote and directed environmental plays and Earth Week activities for all K-8 classes. From 1996-2000 she taught at Chadds Ford Elementary School in Chadds Ford, PA, where she started a “Science in Action Program.” This program included writing and directing plays with science and ecological themes. From 2001-2003, Ms. Michener taught English and Life Management Skills at Charles F. Patton Middle School in the Unionville/ Chadds Ford School District and ran a multi-grade after school drama program. She facilitated a weekly Living History Storytelling group at the Kennett Area Senior Center from 2005-2023.
From August 2008 to January 2010 she was the Director of the Philadelphia Senior Center Theatre Group, where she wrote and directed two shows each season. Jan was highlighted in the May 2009 Milestones Newsletter for Arts and Aging for her show "There's No Place Like Home" that she co-created and directed with the drama group.
Jan was a Master Teaching Artist with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, where she facilitated hands on interactive theatre workshops for the Passport Residency Program. In 2012, she created Hands Across the Ages which brought seniors from the Philadelphia Senior Center and teenagers from the World Communications Charter School together to share personal stories and create theatre pieces based on their lives and social justice for PTC's Philly Reality.
Jan was a teaching artist with Philadelphia Young Playwrights 2006-2013. She was a 2009 Adele Magner Memorial Award Recipient as part of an exemplary teaching and playwriting team.
Find out more about Jan here: http://www.intheeyephotography.com/2019/08/people-of-kennett-square-jan-michener/