"MONSTER" to Debut at Sundance 2018

The film “MONSTER” will have its world premiere at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22 in the Dramatic Competition of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The writing team behind the film includes Radha Blank, Colen C. Wiley and Janece Shaffer. “MONSTER” is based on the award-winning novel of the same name by Walter Dean Myers. The cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr. (“THE BIRTH OF A NATION”), Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson (“DREAMGIRLS”), Jennifer Ehle (“LITTLE MEN,” “ZERO DARK THIRTY”), A$AP Rocky (“DOPE,” “ZOOLANDER 2”), Nas (“THE GET DOWN”), Tim Blake Nelson (“FANTASTIC FOUR,” “BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK”), John David Washington (“BALLERS”) and Jeffrey Wright (“THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY,” “WESTWORLD”).

Janece Shaffer Pens and Narrates Story on NPR

“As a young Jewish girl, I had one great love: Christmas. The first song I learned to play on the piano featured a very dramatic ‘Pa rum pum pun pum.’ Thank you to Two Way Street, aired on NPR station 88.5, for inviting me to read my true confession, CHRISTMAS TREE ENVY. Also, below is the only ornament I've ever had and the only one I hung on my only Christmas tree. Merry Ho Ho!” – Janece Shaffer

Aired again on December 21st, 2017& on GPB on December 24th, 2017.

Listen on Soundcloud (Christmas Tree Envy begins at 39:45)

Shaffer Adapts “OUR TOWN” for Scarlett Johansson

Janece Shaffer created a one-hour version of Thorton Wilder’s “OUR TOWN” for a special one-night performance on Nov. 6, featuring actors Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo to benefit hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. Directed by Kenny Leon, the event raised more than $500,000 and featured Atlanta actors along with additional members from the cast of the “AVENGERS” movie that was currently being filmed in Atlanta.

Go Behind the Musical

On January 11, Janece Shaffer, Sugarland's Kristian Bush and the entire cast of the world premiere musical, TROUBADOUR, were on hand to answer questions and share a sneak peak at their new world premiere musical. The event, which was free and open to the public, was presented on the stage of the Alliance Theatre.

TROUBADOUR World Premiere

On January 11, Janece Shaffer, Sugarland's Kristian Bush and the entire cast of the world premiere musical, TROUBADOUR, were on hand to answer questions and share a sneak peak at their new world premiere musical. The event, which was free and open to the public, was presented on the stage of the Alliance Theatre.

TROUBADOUR Plays the Grand Ole Opry

On January 7, cast members were invited to perform songs from the new musical TROUBADOUR on the Ryman stage as part of the Grand Ole Opry national broadcast. TROUBADOUR Composer/Lyricist Kristian Bush and TROUBADOUR cast member Radney Foster led the cast in performing “Hunt Dog Hunt” and the title song, “Troubadour.” What a powerful experience as the final scene of this upcoming world premiere musical is set on the historic Ryman stage.

Tony Award Winner Kenny Leon Directed Reading of New Play by Janece Shaffer

Tony Award Winner Kenny Leon directed a reading of Janece Shaffer’s new, funny, bold, and informative play, WHAT’S UP DOWN THERE, on Monday, Feb. 6, 8:00 pm at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta. The play is about men, their penises (and how to keep them healthy), sex and relationships.

“Authorship: A Celebration of Women Writers” Features Janece Shaffer

Playwright Janece Shaffer joined a prestigious panel of women to present “Authorship: A Celebration of Women Writers” presented by the Woodruff Arts Center Women’s Giving Circle at the High Museum of Art. Shaffer joined Becky Blalock and Kelley Jackson and the discussion was hosted by Anita Sharpe.

ATLANTA MAGAZINE Explored the Alchemy of TROUBADOUR’s Janece Shaffer and Kristian Bush

The January issue of Atlanta Magazine included a feature story titled “A Brilliant Pairing” about how Kristian Bush and Janece Shaffer began their creative collaboration. The story opens: “Playwright Janece Shaffer found the inspiration for her musical, TROUBADOUR, among the rhinestones of 1950s Nashville. But who would write the songs? Enter Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, who wasn’t prepared for just how personal the project would be.”