Welcome to our TWENTY QUESTIONS series. Here, team members from administrators to designers to teachers answer questions about themselves. Have a question you want us to add to the list? Leave a comment!
About Johanna
 Johanna in costume as Auntie Em in Compass' The Wizard of Oz | Johanna has been in many Compass productions. She played Ember in Peter Pan, Glinda/Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz, Valentin in The Jumping Jacks and the Beanstalk. We asked her what her favorite Compass play is and why. She said, "Peter Pan is my favorite because of the significance it has played in my life and my history with Compass. I played Tiger Lily when I was a kid and I love getting to “revisit” her by playing Ember in the Compass version. I also love teaching kids the adorable dance moves to the crocodiles’ song!". |
Johanna (Valentin) teaching the Lackeys in Portland for The Jumping Jacks and the Beanstalk
Johanna's Twenty Questions
| #1 What was your favorite music group in middle school? The Backstreet Boys! They were my favorite then and remain my favorite now! Click here to jam out to one of Johanna's many favorite Backstreet Boys tunes! |  |
#2 Soup or salad?
Salad!
#3 Villain or hero?
Villain!
#4 Cake or pie?
Pie!
#5 Morning person or night owl?
Nightowl!
Salad!
#3 Villain or hero?
Villain!
#4 Cake or pie?
Pie!
#5 Morning person or night owl?
Nightowl!
| #6 Suggest a musical that kids should check out: Oklahoma! The musical that started all musicals! It is an absolute classic and a blast to perform in. Plus, there’s square dancing! |  |
 | #7 What’s a book that’s stuck with you? Anne of Green Gables! She’s smart, imaginative, humble, loyal and outgoing. She loves her friends and family with fiery passion. I wanted to grow up to be a writer who lived by a “lake of shining waters” because of Anne. I still try to emulate her as an adult! |
#8 Top five favorite snacks:
5. Tortilla or Pretzel chips and dips (salsa, hummus, guacamole)!
4. Almonds!
3. Broccoli florets!
2. Ice Cream!
1. Anything with chocolate!
Wyatt (Compass' Artistic Director) and Johanna enjoying treats from their favorite drive in restaurant in West Union, Iowa.
#9 What’s something you do to relax?
Bubble baths and books!
#10 Describe your favorite mug.
My favorite mug is the one that has coffee in it!
#11 What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago in the winter?
Christkindlmarket! It is so cozy and magical!
#12 Why do you live in Chicago?
I visited Chicago a few times as a kid and fell in love! I always knew I wanted to move here as an adult and eventually I did! It has the hustle and bustle of a big city, but still feels like a community. The theatre scene is plentiful, but also close knit. It is quickly becoming home for me.
#13 Tell us about your pet or your future pet. Share a photo, if you have one!
Puck is a large orange and white cat! He loves people, talking (meowing), crinkly items, cuddling, and bedtime! He has also been known to hop into a bubble bath with me from time to time. He’ll gladly jump through your arms for a treat! Here’s a picture of Puck!
Bubble baths and books!
#10 Describe your favorite mug.
My favorite mug is the one that has coffee in it!
#11 What’s your favorite thing to do in Chicago in the winter?
Christkindlmarket! It is so cozy and magical!
#12 Why do you live in Chicago?
I visited Chicago a few times as a kid and fell in love! I always knew I wanted to move here as an adult and eventually I did! It has the hustle and bustle of a big city, but still feels like a community. The theatre scene is plentiful, but also close knit. It is quickly becoming home for me.
#13 Tell us about your pet or your future pet. Share a photo, if you have one!
Puck is a large orange and white cat! He loves people, talking (meowing), crinkly items, cuddling, and bedtime! He has also been known to hop into a bubble bath with me from time to time. He’ll gladly jump through your arms for a treat! Here’s a picture of Puck!
Puck is looking mighty cute!
#14 What’s the household chore that you would avoid forever if you could?
Laundry! It’s never-ending!
#15 Tell us three things you remember about kindergarten.
1. My teacher was very sweet, energetic, and imaginative!
2. Sitting on the colorful rug for story time!
3. Music class was fun! The music teacher would use a fancy device made of wire to draw perfect lines on the chalkboard and create a “staff.”
#16 How do you like to spend a rainy day?
If I’m feeling indoors-y, I like to light a candle, snuggle under a blanket and read a book. If I am feeling outdoorsy, I like to put on my rain boots, go for a walk, listen to music, and splash in puddles!
#17 What’s your favorite day of the week when you are teaching a performance residency?
I love Fridays! Costume fittings and makeup is so much fun! Watching the show finally come together, sharing our hard work with an audience, and the look of pride on each student’s face after the performance is truly magical.
#18 What’s your favorite kids’ movie?
The Princess Diaries! It’s my feel good movie and I know all the lines!
#19 What’s something about you that some people might consider a weakness, but is really a strength?
I can be a very emotional person. I have found, over time, that this just means I care a great deal and empathize with others’ feelings. There is great strength in vulnerability.
#20 Tell us all of the towns you’ve lived in.
Oh, boy. This is a long one:
(That's a long and impressive list, Johanna. Do YOU have a longer one? Let us know in the comments. We'd love to read them!)
BONUS Question! What is your 2020 New Year Resolution?
1. To write at least one play and submit it to a theatre or festival.
2. Take a dance class! I would particularly like to get back into tap or ballet.
3. Learn guitar to accompany myself while singing.
Laundry! It’s never-ending!
#15 Tell us three things you remember about kindergarten.
1. My teacher was very sweet, energetic, and imaginative!
2. Sitting on the colorful rug for story time!
3. Music class was fun! The music teacher would use a fancy device made of wire to draw perfect lines on the chalkboard and create a “staff.”
#16 How do you like to spend a rainy day?
If I’m feeling indoors-y, I like to light a candle, snuggle under a blanket and read a book. If I am feeling outdoorsy, I like to put on my rain boots, go for a walk, listen to music, and splash in puddles!
#17 What’s your favorite day of the week when you are teaching a performance residency?
I love Fridays! Costume fittings and makeup is so much fun! Watching the show finally come together, sharing our hard work with an audience, and the look of pride on each student’s face after the performance is truly magical.
#18 What’s your favorite kids’ movie?
The Princess Diaries! It’s my feel good movie and I know all the lines!
#19 What’s something about you that some people might consider a weakness, but is really a strength?
I can be a very emotional person. I have found, over time, that this just means I care a great deal and empathize with others’ feelings. There is great strength in vulnerability.
#20 Tell us all of the towns you’ve lived in.
Oh, boy. This is a long one:
- Winfield, KS
- Ft. Wayne, IN
- St.Louis, MO
- Texhoma, OK
- Liberal, KS
- Greeley, CO
- Casper, WY
- Tulsa, OK
- Cisco, TX
- Stevens Point, WI
- Brownville, NE
- Madison, WI
- Chicago, IL
(That's a long and impressive list, Johanna. Do YOU have a longer one? Let us know in the comments. We'd love to read them!)
BONUS Question! What is your 2020 New Year Resolution?
1. To write at least one play and submit it to a theatre or festival.
2. Take a dance class! I would particularly like to get back into tap or ballet.
3. Learn guitar to accompany myself while singing.
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