Janey Makes a Play

Janey Makes a Play is a 2015 feature-length documentary film, directed by Jared Callahan. This heartwarming and inspiring piece captures the relentless spirit of creativity and determination, showcasing humanity's intrinsic desire to create and share stories.

The film unfolds over the span of a year, focusing on the effervescent 90-year-old Janey Callahan-Chin, who decides to bring her community in Rio Vista, California, closer together in an unexpected way: through the power of community theater. Despite battling the economic downturn which has resulted in a significant decrease in funding for such community initiatives, Janey's tenacious spirit and unwavering hope refuse to be dampened. This documentary goes beyond the mere act of staging a community theater production, delving into the deeper themes of the importance of community, the powerness of perseverance, and the therapeutic influence of the creative arts.

Janey is no stranger to playwriting, having penned and produced an annual community theatre production for the last 25 years. Faced with an ever-shrinking budget, the film follows her tireless efforts as she rallies a troupe made up of local volunteers and leads them on to put on yet another show. The film's title, Janey Makes a Play, aptly highlights not just Janey's physical efforts of orchestrating a play but also the metaphorical play she makes in bringing her community together and fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

The film expertly weaves in interviews and candid moments with Janey, her troupe, and the community. These interactions offer insight into the depth and breadth of the impact that Janey's annual production has had over the years. From the nostalgia-driven elders who have cheerfully participated for decades, to the youth opening their eyes to the power of the stage for the first time, the documentary reveals how the shared endeavor transcends generational boundaries.

The director skilfully captures the ups and downs faced by Janey and her diverse team throughout this ambitious project. Challenges range from script writing, casting, and rehearsing, to the production elements of set construction, costuming and ultimately, performance. All this is conducted against a backdrop of a struggling economy which raises the stakes and cranks tension higher.

However, Janey Makes a Play is more than a 'behind-the-scenes' look at a local theater production. The film also serves as a captivating character study, predominantly of Janey herself. Her indefatigable spirit, creativity and her commitment to fostering community are brought to the forefront. Her sense of optimism, spunk, and vivacious spirit that defies her nine decades of life, becomes the pulse of the film. Not just content with being a beacon of inspiration, Janey herself serves as a symbol, representing the millions of unsung heroes throughout America that use creativity as a platform for unity.

Apart from Janey, the character study extends to the members of the troupe, varying in age from 10 to 80, as the film intimately probes into their personal stories. Each volunteer's story adds a layer of richness to the film, as some find a much-needed diversion from their everyday problems in the play, while others discover hidden passions and potential within themselves. The participants include not just locals, but also people who have moved to Rio Vista from big cities in search of a sense of community and a better quality of life.

Janey Makes a Play is a love letter to community spirit and a testament to the undeniable human need for self-expression and common purpose. It contains universal themes that resonate deeply, such as creativity, compassion, determination, and togetherness, hence, it is a documentary that transcends any generational, geographical or cultural bounds. It is a tribute not just to Janey or a small-town theatre production, but to every community effort made towards unity and the indomitable spirit of those who foster it.

In a world where headlines are often dominated by stories of division and conflict, this film is a refreshing and heartfelt story about unity, community, and the transformative power of art. With its beautifully crafted narrative, layered characters, and genuine depiction of community spirit, Janey Makes a Play is a testament to the singular power of storytelling to inspire, unify, and uplift.