Tanja Jacobs

Last updated
Tanja Jacobs
Born
Belgium
NationalityCanadian
Education York University (MFA)
Occupation(s)Actor and director

Tanja Jacobs is a Belgian-born Canadian actress and theatre director. She originated the role of Constance Ledbelly in Anne-Marie MacDonald's Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet).

Contents

Early life

Jacobs was born in Belgium to German parents. Her mother, Katia Jacobs, was a visual artist. At age 5, following the collapse of her parents' marriage, she, her mother, and older brother relocated to Canada. Katia Jacobs would later remarry Bill Kennedy, who Tanja considers to be her father. [1] Jacobs says she knew she wanted to be an actress at age 9. [2] At age 16, Jacobs left high school. She began taking acting classes at age 18. [1]

Career

At age 22, Jacobs landed her first notable role playing Dr. Chebutykin in an all-female production of Chekhov's Three Sisters. [1]

In the 1980s, Jacobs was a member of the Toronto theatre company, Autumn Angel. [3] Other company members were Richard Rose, Thom Sokoloski, Maggie Huculak, Stewart Arnott, Kim Renders, Bruce Vavrina and Mark Christmann. [4]

In 1987, landed the role of Skinner in Howard Baker's The Castle. The production marked a turning point in Jacobs' career; after that performance, she worked almost constantly. [1]

Jacobs originated the role of Constance Ledbelly in Ann-Marie MacDonald's Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) in 1988. [3] [5] Jacobs was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for her performance. [6]

Personal life

Jacobs has a daughter, Nina, who was born in 1998. [1] Following Nina's birth, Jacobs took a break from her career to be a stay-at-home mother. [2] In 2018, Jacobs completed her MFA in Stage Direction at York University. [7]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2005 Slings & Arrows Witch #23 episodes
1999 Power Play SM3 Reagan Sexsmith6 episodes [2]
1997 The New Ghostwriter Mysteries Mrs. ShepherdEpisode: "Disappearing Act"
1995A Taste of ShakespeareGertrude / Laertes / GravediggerEpisode: "Hamlet"
1995 Ready or Not Madame FuturoEpisode: "Crossing the Line"
1995 Side Effects LolaEpisode: "Sixth Sense"
1990 War of the Worlds Miss GholstonEpisode: "The Pied Piper"
1988 Alfred Hitchcock Presents MarjorieEpisode: "Animal Lovers"
1987 Seeing Things Lady TheresaEpisode: "Here's Looking at You"
1987 Street Legal Jill6 episodes [8]
1985The Suicide MurdersMartha TracyTV movie

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1999 Below the Belt Short film

Theatre credits

As director:

YearProductionCompanyNotesRef.
2022Orphans For The CzarCrow's Theatre [9]
2021 Paradise Lost Canadian Stage [10]
2019 Getting Married Shaw Festival [11]
2018 A Midsummer Night's Dream Shakespeare in High Park (Canadian Stage) [12]
2018La Bete Soulpepper [13]
2018 Love and Information Canadian StageCo-directed with Alistair Newton [14]
2017 Twelfth Night Shakespeare in High Park (Canadian Stage) [15]
2016The Model Apartment Harold Green Jewish Theatre [16]
2010The Eleventh David Theatre Passe Muraille (Backstage Buzz) [17]
20021002 NightsShed Co. [18]
2000GoddessTheatre of the Repressed and Sansregret ProductionsAt Toronto Fringe [19]

As actor:

YearProductionCompany/TheatreRoleNotesRef.
2019 Cyrano de Bergerac Shaw FestivalLe Bret [20]
2018The Assembly: episode 1Porte Parole and Crow’s TheatreValerie [21]
2015The WatershedPanamania (Pan Am/Parapan Am Games) [22]
2014Bloody Family Theatre Centre Clytemnestra [23]
2012Grannie Didn’t Go To FloridaSNAP Productions and Theatre Hetaerae (Cooking Fire Theatre Festival)Grannie [24]
2012SeedsCrow’s Theatre and Porte Parole [25]
2011Tout Comme ElleNecessary Angel (Luminato Festival) [26]
2010 Happy Days Theatre Columbus Winnie [27] [28]
2010Mother Courage and Her Children National Arts Centre Mother Courage [29]
2008 The Way of the World Soulpepper and National Arts Centre Lady Wishfort [30]
2006The Innocent Eye Test Mirvish Productions [31]
2006Great PeaceActors Repertory CompanyStaged reading [32]
2005 Frozen Citadel Theatre [33]
2004The Swanne: Queen Victoria (The Seduction of Nemesis) Stratford Festival [34]
2003OrchideliriumPea Green Theatre and Theatre Voce [35]
2003 Phaedre Soulpepper [36]
2002Far Horizons HotelPlaywrights’ Workshop Montreal and Factory Theatre Staged reading [37]
2002 Girl in the Goldfish Bowl Tarragon Theatre [38]
2001Elisa's SkinTarragon TheatreElisa [39]
2001 A Christmas Carol Soulpepper Theatre at the Premiere Dance Theatre [40]
2001 Tempest [note 1] Ariel [41]
2001 A Trickster Tale Theatre DirectTouring school production [42]
2000The Wild Stage: An Evening Of German CabaretAlt.COMedy Lounge [43]
1993Abundance Harbourfront Centre Macon [44]
1991Writing With Our FeetSophie, Alphonsinette, Zenaide, Lucy, Father Rocky, and Raymond Loewy [45]
1989The Man I LoveTarragon TheatreMax [46]
1989The PossibilitiesNecessary AngelMultiple roles [47]
1988 Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) Nightwood Theatre Constance Ledbelly [48]
1987The CastleNecessary AngelSkinner [1]
1984Under the Skin
Three Sisters Dr. Chebutykin [1]

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkRoleResultRef.
2018 Gina Wilkinson Prize for an Emerging Female DirectorN/AN/AN/AWon [7]
2010 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal RoleHappy DaysNominated [49]
2003Performance in a Feature Role in a Play or MusicalGirl in the Goldfish BowlWon [50]
2002Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Featured RoleElisa's SkinElisaNominated
1994AbundanceNominated
1990 Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) Constance LedbellyNominated [6]
1984Under the SkinWon [3]

Notes

  1. ↑ The production used simply, Tempest, rather than the more typical title, The Tempest.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Herst, Beth (2003). "Second Skin: The Theatrical Passion of Tanja Jacobs". PAJ: A Journal of Performance & Art. 25 (75): 75–84. doi:10.1162/152028103322491700. S2CID   57569906 – via EBSCO Host.
  2. 1 2 3 Crew, Bob (2001-10-11). "Thriving on emotional expression; Tanja Jacobs embraces new role as love letter collector". Toronto Star. pp. G08 – via Proquest.
  3. 1 2 3 Kaplan, Jon (2001-10-11). "More than Skin Deep". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  4. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2001-02-15). "Looking for Richard". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  5. ↑ Rubess, Baņuta (1998) [1990]. Introduction. Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet). By MacDonald, Ann-Marie (First Grove Press ed.). New York: Grove Press. pp. xi–xvii. ISBN   9780802135773. LCCN   98-8447. OCLC   39235556.
  6. 1 2 Conlogue, Ray (May 15, 1990). "Dora nominations harvested from sparse crop of new plays". The Globe and Mail . p. A19.
  7. 1 2 "Tanja Jacobs awarded Gina's Prize for 2018". Ontario Arts Foundation / Fondation des Arts l'Ontario. 2018-03-10. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  8. ↑ Wagner, Vit (1987-04-16). "Witch's role makes her queen of Angel's Castle". Toronto Star. pp. C10.
  9. ↑ Sumi, Glenn (2022-04-11). "Review: Orphans For The Czar is a timely political comedy". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  10. ↑ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2020-01-28). "Canadian Stage announces 2020-2021 season as its home, the St. Lawrence Centre, faces uncertain future". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  11. ↑ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2019-05-24). "Review: Shaw Festival 2019: Bernard Shaw's Getting Married is a breezy and entertaining look at marriage". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  12. ↑ "Review | A Midsummer Night's Dream in High Park is too light to linger after waking". thestar.com. 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  13. ↑ "La Bete". NOW Magazine. 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  14. ↑ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2018-04-17). "Review: Love and Information is a jam-packed play you'll struggle to remember". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  15. ↑ Long, Taylor (2017-07-20). "Review: Shakespeare in High Park Thrills with KING LEAR and TWELFTH NIGHT". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  16. ↑ "The Model Apartment". NOW Magazine. 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  17. ↑ "Scenes". NOW Magazine. 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  18. ↑ Sumi, Glenn (2002-11-21). "Tara Firma". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  19. ↑ "Best of the fest". NOW Magazine. 2000-07-13. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  20. ↑ Citron, Paula (2019-08-29). "SCRUTINY | Shaw Festival's Cyrano de Bergerac Does Not Let Up For A Moment". Ludwig van Toronto. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  21. ↑ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2018-10-31). "Review: The Assembly aims to illuminate, but only simulates today's divisive politics". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  22. ↑ "Panamania artists set to make a splash with water-themed creations". CBC. 2015-07-11. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  23. ↑ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2014-09-29). "Bloody Family: A metatheatrical meditation that falls flat". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  24. ↑ "All Fired up". NOW Magazine. 2012-06-28. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  25. ↑ "Daily Tipsheet: Tuesday, February 21". NOW Magazine. 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  26. ↑ Bacalzo, Dan (2011-01-17). "Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, Announces 2011 Programming". TheaterMania. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  27. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2010-05-17). "Happy Days". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  28. ↑ Ouzounian, Richard (2010-05-13). "Let loose, a wild actor is hideously excessive Theatre review". Toronto Star. p. 25.
  29. ↑ Meng, Connie (2010-01-19). "Theatre Review: "Mother Courage and Her Children" at the NAC". NCPR. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  30. ↑ "As the World turns". NOW Magazine. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  31. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2006-03-23). "Passing the Test". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  32. ↑ "Stage Scenes". NOW Magazine. 2006-05-18. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  33. ↑ Nicholls, Liz (2005-10-30). "Riveting insight into forgiveness". Edmonton Journal. pp. B1.
  34. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2004-08-19). "Swanne song". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  35. ↑ Sumi, Glenn (2003-02-27). "Messy Orchids". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  36. ↑ Sumi, Glenn (2003-07-24). "Mommy dearest". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  37. ↑ "Stage Scenes". NOW Magazine. 2002-10-17. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  38. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2002-10-03). "Bowled Over Laughing". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  39. ↑ Sumi, Glenn (2001-10-25). "Skin's Tight". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  40. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2001-12-20). "Softy Scrooge". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  41. ↑ Kaplan, Jon (2001-07-26). "Tempest Lost". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  42. ↑ "Stage Scenes". NOW Magazine. 2001-04-12. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  43. ↑ "Crawford on the air". NOW Magazine. 2000-06-15. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  44. ↑ Chapman, Geoff (1993-07-15). "Abundance of western wacko". Toronto Star. pp. D10.
  45. ↑ Wagner, Vit (1991-10-25). "Actors put their best Feet forward". Toronto Star. pp. D4.
  46. ↑ Crew, Robert (1989-10-11). "Man I Love somewhat lost in translation". Toronto Star. pp. D1.
  47. ↑ Wagner, Vit (1989-02-24). "Tanja's six roles have plenty of Possibilities". Toronto Star. pp. D14.
  48. ↑ Crew, Robert (1988-04-04). "Goodnight Desdemona puts a twist on The Bard". Toronto Star. pp. C5.
  49. ↑ Eng, David (2010-06-03). "Awards News: 2010 Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations" . Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  50. ↑ Posner, Michael (2003-06-23). "Tarragon holds sway". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
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