Miss Versatility
Janet Elizabeth Mary Theresa Meshad Jikei Wells
It all started when I was very young. The third of a Lebanese family of 6 children living in a 3 bedroom house in Birmingham, Alabama. All 8 of us shared only 1 bath. That’s why we became great dancers waiting for our turns for the porcelain pond. I got the acting bug the minute I could play dress-up without a diaper. Unlike the measles it never went away. I was tap-dancing on the Alabama stage when I was 4. I was in every play and musical from grammar school to high school through college graduating from WebsterUniversity in St. Louis, MO.
The Wit’s End Players of Atlanta GA, which created original musical sketch shows not unlike SNL, was auditioning for a comedian to star as their new ingenue. I got the part and Miss Versatility took off. Not Everything. But almost in a number called “Hurricane Zelda” spoofing weather reporters.
During the seventies we moved to LA with our 1 son Jason.(I did get married to the late great Tom Wells of Atlanta, composer and founder of Doppler Studios). I landed acting roles in sit-coms, movies, Voice Overs for TV and radio, (see resume) and yes, more stage. Improvisation with Robin Williams at the Improv Theatre. Standup at the Comedy Store. Children’s shows at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. Tom was busy writing TV themes. His claim to fame was composing the song WKRP in CINCINNATI.
In LA we worked around the clock. We returned to Atlanta in the mid 80’s to raise our small children. Somebody had to. He had Doppler and I had all of Atlanta to tap dance in and still raise my 3 boys.( Add Jonathan and Tucker.)
Miss Versatility I am. I ski, (well, I did) study Zen Meditation, sometimes at the same time, teach Zen Meditation, play West African drums, lead drum circles, teach improvisation to Corporations or anyone. I even played timpani in the opening ceremonies of the 1996 opening ceremony for the Olympics when it marched into Atlanta without burning us down this time.
(I’m the red drummer in the middle)
Let’s not forget activism. I’ve been busy saving the planet with Beyond War and the Foundation for Global Community, (see Google) marching with Mothers against Murder, also called good gun control laws, working with neighbors for good zoning and neighborhood protection, tree protection, sponsoring children in Guatemala, eating organic foods damn the cost, and chairing a Garden Club. Yes I garden. And cook. Let’s not forget the Catholic Church! Who can? That’s where I got most of my names. I lector and head up the Women’s Prison Ministry because I know I would be in jail if I didn’t at least try to obey the law.
But, you can break all the laws when you are acting and I never got over the acting bug. It has inspired, informed, enraged and enchanted my soul ever since childhood and has been with me on this wonder-filled journey all these years. That infected little girl , my inner child, has never strayed.
My joy is writing and performing 1 woman shows, co-creating and producing Winter Solstices with music and poetry for Mary and Martha’s place, and tap dancing in the Universe. I can help you do the same? (See VO Classes).
