aBOUT ABBY-JEANNE
Heyyyyy!
Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Abby-Jeanne—often lovingly referred to as Aj—is a queer theatre artist based in Philly. In May of 2024, they graduated cum laude from DeSales University, having earned a BA in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre.
From very early on Abby-Jeanne knew that performance was what they wanted to do with their life. It was their first love! Dance studio recitals as early as age 5, to elementary school variety talent shows singing “I Knew You Were Trouble,” to learning how to play the flute in 4th grade.
After elementary school, Abby-Jeanne attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts middle school as an Instrumental major, and in 8th grade, after switching their major to Vocal music—a production of Annie Jr. tipped the scales of fate. (I know, what a sentence).
Ever since, Abby-Jeanne has been hooked. They went on to attend Cab Calloway School of the Arts High School, taking as many acting and theatre classes as they possibly could, and then continuing this pattern into college. Post college, they also began their journey as a Teaching Artist. Through all of this, Aj discovered their purpose in life was to tell stories with a gentle hand and an honest heart, and to help others do the same.
As their journey into artistry progressed, as did their journey toward themself. As a non-binary lesbian, Aj has an unwavering commitment to create art that represents and uplifts the queer community. Now more than ever, it is imperative that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility guide their work.
Offstage, Abby-Jeanne prides themself on the other loves of their life; their found family. This year, you can find them in the Arden green room having lunch with their fellow apprentices, catching up with their best friends from college, or singing Chappell Roan—far too loudly— in the car with their partner, Gabby and their dog, Rocco.
Aj cherishes theatre’s ability to represent, validate, educate, and support, and they are ever continuing to evolve their ability to provide that validation, education, and support through their art. Read more about this in her artistic mission statement below ↓
ABBY-jEANE’S ARTISTIC MISSION STATEMENT
I am Human.
I support, uplift, nurture, and create explorative and collaborative art by offering a soft place to land and an inclusive space to play freely.
I seek to embrace individual uniqueness and the complexity of humanity through work that challenges artists to meet themselves and others fully.
I believe that in the investigation of the human condition through the medium of rehearsal and live performance, artists learn to know their own minds, strengths, and love their personhood, consequently learning to view those around them through a perspective of appreciation and curiosity for their individuality.
To live is to celebrate our radiance with one another.
My essential wish is that the art I create and engage in is an interrogation of truth, and calls artists to see the beauty of the human experience in its entirety.
Whether it be extraordinary or paralyzing, striking or mundane, lovely or heartbreaking, every moment has a meaning all its own.
So, as theatre-makers, we must investigate.
It could never be expected–all of life’s astonishment–but such unexpected could never fail of exciting.
I lead with love, and an essential truth; The art we dream of creating already exists in each of us, in every moment, infinitely.
Go forth! Lead with Love, Lead with Gentleness.
-Aj
