Jess Noel Philly Dance & Theater Director LOVES Shoes!
Jess Noel Philly Dance & Theater Director LOVES Shoes
OWNER PHILLY PACK
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#BUSSTOPLOVES
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Last year, we started a weekly series, where we interviewed our favorite Philadelphians...the choreographers, actors, teachers, collaborators, models, and creative friends who have inspired us greatly and have worked with us to tell our brand story over the past 13 years (soon to be 14). They've each played a BIG part in our storytelling with their unique work and abilities. Each week, we've featured & introduced another one of our favorite folks to you. We’ve had such an overwhelming response to this series, that it is continuing in 2021!
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In celebration of Women's History Month we thought we would kick the month off by letting you know about a woman we adore, respect and admire.
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Jess Noel is an accomplished modern dancer, singer, actor, writer, teacher, and mama. She founded the incredible garage theatre & dance studio in Pennsport Philly PACK @philly.pack (which used to be our 4th Street neighbor where Walter Pine Studio now lives) & has been a best friend & muse for many years. Elena has trained in ballet with Jess & BUS STOP's Aubrie has showcased Jess in her art series. Jess also has many pairs of shoes she bought over the years from BUS STOP’s shoe boutique, many of them worn on the opening days of her shows!
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1. How long have you lived in Philly? 11 years!!
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2. How do you describe yourself in THREE WORDS? Storyteller, Educator, Mom-Wife
2. How do you describe yourself in THREE WORDS? Storyteller, Educator, Mom-Wife
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3. How would your best friend describe you in THREE WORDS? Brilliant, Original, Intense ( I asked my husband John. LOL) Cavernous, electric, fluid (Elizabeth says)
3. How would your best friend describe you in THREE WORDS? Brilliant, Original, Intense ( I asked my husband John. LOL) Cavernous, electric, fluid (Elizabeth says)
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4. How did you start your career? I've been making theatre since I was a kid--directing neighborhood kids in my original plays from my parents' garage when I was six years old. We moved around a lot, and my parents always prioritized finding theatre schools and dance studios wherever we lived. I think they realized that for me to feel settled and secure, I needed to be training and creating. I started teaching theatre and dance in high school, and I discovered a deep love for telling stories and making art with young people. For the past twenty years I've been wearing two professional hats pretty simultaneously because I love them both equally: theatre-maker and teacher.
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5. Who’s your mentor? Elena Brennan!!! When I was first starting out as a small-business on 4th street, and I was so stressed out by all that comes with owning a business in general, Elena would take me to coffee and help me work through any issues I was dealing with. She had already been through it, and her advice was golden! She just knew exactly what I needed to do. Elena has always been there for me when I had questions or just needed to vent. Business is stressful, and doesn't necessarily come naturally to artists. I'm forever grateful to her. My "heros" in my industry are Blanka Zizka, former artistic director of the Wilma Theatre, and Christine Cox, founding director of Ballet X. I've been following both of their careers since I moved to Philly. I basically idolize both of them, and I completely look up to and respect the choices they've made for their companies. The way they bend and evolve according to the times, it's really refreshing. CHEERS TO LADY BOSSES!
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6. What do you fantasize about? I fantasize that Philly PACK owns a huge theatre on Avenue of the Arts. I love space, especially BIG space that can accommodate lots of patrons.
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7. What keeps you up at night? I'm a worrier. I think a lot of creatives are because we have big imaginations that can easily imagine worst case scenarios. I used to lose a lot of sleep worrying about everything (bills, relationships, my son), but lately I've been meditating and trying to stay present in the moment. This is surprisingly helping me sleep better at night!
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8. How has the pandemic affected you? The pandemic shut my business down completely. We couldn't use the space at all because we weren't essential, but luckily I had some savings that is helping us ride this out. We're also dipping our toes into virtual theatre-making and outdoor theatre-making to keep us relevant and somewhat sane during this time when gathering for performances isn't happening. For me personally, the pandemic set off some major hurdles I had to work through. It's been really interesting to learn about myself and what makes me fearful. Over the past five months, I've learned how to meditate, be more present and focused in NOW rather than worrying about the future. I've also learned a lot about relinquishing control, and how to be okay with uncertainty. I'm realizing that life is very uncertain, pandemic or not. The best thing we can do for ourselves is live each day for TODAY.
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9. How has the BLM Movement influenced your life and your work? The Movement has given me a lot to think about regarding what stories need to be told, and who needs to tell them. As a white theatre-maker, I hope to produce BIPOC's stories in the next chapter. I have the space, I know how to produce theatre. I feel like my mouth needs to be shut, my ears need to be open, and I need to facilitate the stories that can heal us as a country. Hopefully white theatre-goers will cozy up and settle in for the stories we need to listen to.
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10: What's one thing most people would be surprised to know about you? I love disc golf! I play almost every day.
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BONUS Q: What's your favorite spot in Philly? Sedgely Woods Disc Golf Course.
4. How did you start your career? I've been making theatre since I was a kid--directing neighborhood kids in my original plays from my parents' garage when I was six years old. We moved around a lot, and my parents always prioritized finding theatre schools and dance studios wherever we lived. I think they realized that for me to feel settled and secure, I needed to be training and creating. I started teaching theatre and dance in high school, and I discovered a deep love for telling stories and making art with young people. For the past twenty years I've been wearing two professional hats pretty simultaneously because I love them both equally: theatre-maker and teacher.
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5. Who’s your mentor? Elena Brennan!!! When I was first starting out as a small-business on 4th street, and I was so stressed out by all that comes with owning a business in general, Elena would take me to coffee and help me work through any issues I was dealing with. She had already been through it, and her advice was golden! She just knew exactly what I needed to do. Elena has always been there for me when I had questions or just needed to vent. Business is stressful, and doesn't necessarily come naturally to artists. I'm forever grateful to her. My "heros" in my industry are Blanka Zizka, former artistic director of the Wilma Theatre, and Christine Cox, founding director of Ballet X. I've been following both of their careers since I moved to Philly. I basically idolize both of them, and I completely look up to and respect the choices they've made for their companies. The way they bend and evolve according to the times, it's really refreshing. CHEERS TO LADY BOSSES!
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6. What do you fantasize about? I fantasize that Philly PACK owns a huge theatre on Avenue of the Arts. I love space, especially BIG space that can accommodate lots of patrons.
.
7. What keeps you up at night? I'm a worrier. I think a lot of creatives are because we have big imaginations that can easily imagine worst case scenarios. I used to lose a lot of sleep worrying about everything (bills, relationships, my son), but lately I've been meditating and trying to stay present in the moment. This is surprisingly helping me sleep better at night!
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8. How has the pandemic affected you? The pandemic shut my business down completely. We couldn't use the space at all because we weren't essential, but luckily I had some savings that is helping us ride this out. We're also dipping our toes into virtual theatre-making and outdoor theatre-making to keep us relevant and somewhat sane during this time when gathering for performances isn't happening. For me personally, the pandemic set off some major hurdles I had to work through. It's been really interesting to learn about myself and what makes me fearful. Over the past five months, I've learned how to meditate, be more present and focused in NOW rather than worrying about the future. I've also learned a lot about relinquishing control, and how to be okay with uncertainty. I'm realizing that life is very uncertain, pandemic or not. The best thing we can do for ourselves is live each day for TODAY.
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9. How has the BLM Movement influenced your life and your work? The Movement has given me a lot to think about regarding what stories need to be told, and who needs to tell them. As a white theatre-maker, I hope to produce BIPOC's stories in the next chapter. I have the space, I know how to produce theatre. I feel like my mouth needs to be shut, my ears need to be open, and I need to facilitate the stories that can heal us as a country. Hopefully white theatre-goers will cozy up and settle in for the stories we need to listen to.
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10: What's one thing most people would be surprised to know about you? I love disc golf! I play almost every day.
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BONUS Q: What's your favorite spot in Philly? Sedgely Woods Disc Golf Course.
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Jess, we love you and hope our readers have an insight into your uniqueness & amazingness in this series.
