We’re looking forward to introducing you to JANAN ASHTON. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning JANAN, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
What is normal (lol)? I feel like my sense of normalcy does not reflect what most people refer to as “normal.” I live a very busy life, I normally have 16 hour days. I wake up around 6:00 and get my children to school at 7:30. I work my “9-5” (my foundational income as leadership at a school in the tri-state area) from 8:00-4 PM, sometimes even later, depending on the school event. From 4:30-5, I’m traveling to rehearsal. I have rehearsal from 6-10 4 days a week. I normally film on the weekends or I prioritize rest.
Currently, I’m the Assistant Director for Theatre in the X’s “Fraternity,” written by Jeff Stetson and directed by the phenomenal Eric Carter in Philadelphia, PA. I get a bit of a break in my day for the next month, but I’ll be right back at in with my regular routine September through November.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Janan Green-Ashton, and I’m an actress who has been in love with performing since the age of four. Acting has always been more than just a passion—it’s been a lifelong calling. After years of training, persistence, and growth, I finally feel like I’m making a name for myself in the industry, and it’s such an exciting moment in my journey.
Most recently, I had the joy of performing in One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, which was nominated for a Barrymore Award for Best Outdoor Production—a project that really affirmed the power of storytelling in live theatre. Currently, I’m filming Keke the Series, which is streaming on multiple platforms and allowing me to expand into television in new and dynamic ways. This fall, I’ll also be appearing in Dot by Coleman Domingo, directed by the incomparable Zuhairah McGill, at South Camden Theatre Company from November 7th through the 23rd.
What makes my work unique is the way I approach every role with authenticity and vulnerability, drawing from both my personal experiences and my imagination to create characters that feel lived-in and real. As an actress, my purpose is to tell stories that connect with people deeply, whether on stage or on screen. My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it; I’m excited to continue building a career that not only challenges me as an artist but also uplifts audiences through the power of performance.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just a little girl who loved to perform without fear or limitation. At fas young as three years old, I was putting on “shows”for anyone who would watch; I would recite lines from the “Wizard of Oz” and switched up my voice and inflections to match that of the character. I was fueled by pure joy and imagination. Back then, I wasn’t worried about fitting into a mold or meeting anyone’s expectations—I was just free, bold, and completely myself.
As I got older, the world tried to tell me to be smaller, quieter, or more “realistic” about my dreams. But, deep down, I never lost that little girl who believed that storytelling and bringing a character’s voice to life could move mountains and deeply impact the masses – I knew performing (on stage) was exactly where I belonged. Today, reconnecting with her—the fearless, unapologetic version of myself—has been the key to stepping fully into who I am, not only as an actress, but as a woman and mother. Four year old Janan reminds most authentic self.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be, “Janan, trust yourself. Stop being afraid to shine because others are afraid of what your light radiates. Don’t let the fear of not being good enough or even outside voices convince you that you aren’t enough or that your dreams are too big. The path you’re on won’t always be easy, but know that every challenge you face will prune you, strengthen you, and prepare you. Every setback you face will guide you closer to where you’re meant to be.”
If I could just hold 18 year old me, I would tell her to hold on to her joy, her playfulness, and her courage, because those are her superpowers. I’d remind her that the very things that make her feel different or misunderstood are the things that make her powerful and unforgettable.
Most importantly, I’d tell her this: you are perfect the way you are—deeply flawed, beautifully unique, and wonderfully human. What’s for you will always be for you, and no one can take that away. You will always be HER.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I would say yes and no. What you see is essentially what you get with me—I’ve always been someone who shows up authentically. Yet over time, I’ve learned how to keep certain parts of myself to myself. There’s a portion of me that’s exclusive, a sacred space that I don’t want to show to the world.
I’ve come to understand that my sensitivity and my vulnerabilities don’t need to be on display, because sharing every aspect of myself has often left me drained and barren. Now, I protect that side of me. I hold on to my sacredness, choosing to reveal the most intimate parts only to my children and to those I love most. That balance allows me to stay true to who I am while still keeping something just for me.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This is such a heavy topic that has been hard for me to really expound on, and yet, it’s been on my mind a lot lately. When I’m gone, I would hope that people say that I lived fully, loved immensely, and never stopped chasing my purpose. I want them to remember me as someone who poured her heart into her craft and to others, who told stories that mattered, and who made people feel seen and heard through her work.
I hope they say I was bold enough to dream, even when the world told convinced me that dreaming wasn’t realistic. I stayed true to Janan and who/what Janan needed no matter what. Most importantly, I want to be remembered not just for the roles I played, but for the way I uplifted, inspired, and loved the people around me.
If the story people tell about me is that I left a mark on their hearts, that I showed up authentically, and that I reminded them it’s okay to be both strong and vulnerable simultaneously —then I will have done what I came on this earth to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: youdntknownan
- Linkedin: Janan Ashton
- Facebook: Janan Ashton
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