Janice Marie Singleton

About me:

Actor, Author, Singer / Songwriter, Motivational Speaker from Ohio is the daughter of a Baptist Pastor Dad and Gospel Pianist Mom. By age nine, they enrolled her into Karamu House, a Swahili word meaning “House of Joy.” The Community Theater where she got her start, found her joy, discovered her true path, and gained decades of experience singing, acting, writing plays, and short-stories. As a member of the Cuyahoga Community College Theater Company, friend, Anthony Fudge wrote a play that in part featured poetry. Professor / Director Annette Jefferson felt strongly that the play should move in one direction or the other. At home that night, Janice wrote all of the poems into songs. Writer, Director, and fellow cast members were pleased. The show went off without a hitch, and Janice discovered she had the gift of songwriting, and the angels have been singing in her head ever since. Her first tour was with show group (Hot Cargo,) a seven-person band, in which she was one of four upfront singers, with Ross Locke, Leah Strayer, and Ernie Gills. The Rhythm section was Earl Hickman on Bass, Louis Argressiti on Drums, and Gio Garrelli on Keyboards. They performed at Americana Hotels and Ramada Inns throughout the United States and Canada, traveling by two vans. Dave Connell, a friend from Karamu House, then living in New York City, set up an audition for Janice with Casting Director Mikki Powell that resulted in a 5-year run on Broadway in the Tony Award Winning Show the “WIZ,” in which, she portrayed Ms. Glinda the Good Witch, and doubled as a Pit-Singer. Famed Musician, Record Producer turned Actor, the late Herb Lovelle introduced Janice to Lionel Job, a creative consultant that presented her with a Split Publishing Deal with Famous Music / Paramount Pictures, giving her the opportunity to get two of her songs recorded. Renowned Jazz Violinist, Noel Pointer recorded (THAT’S THE WAY YOU FEEL IN THE MORNING AFTER A LOVE MAKING NIGHT,) but after his untimely demise, the label never released the album. R&B Group, South Road Connection, which Lionel Job managed, recorded (EASY LOVING FEELING.) Although Janice did not hear it on the radio personally, there is proof that the Radio Station Program Director announced (EASY LOVING FEELING) as the WBLS pick of the week. As featured performer and co-composer of NUVISION, a program Janice founded that encourages love and respect -- for self, all others, and the environment, from 1988-1996, via a vendor’s agreement with the New York City Board of Education, Janice, P.R. Tubbs, Sam Harkness, Cary Gant, Ebony Diaz, Ashana Lobody, and Keith Walcott toured Elementary and Junior High Schools throughout the boroughs. Approximately ninety-thousand people experienced the program. Seven-thousand wrote letters of appreciation and requests. As a response, Janice has written a workbook inspired by the school program, titled (The Practice Manual of Thoughts, Words, and Actions to Help Make Our World a Better Place to Live.) Forthcoming, is a companion music CD that reflects the chapter titles, and a Songbook of Music and Lyrics that are featured on the CD, written for Piano and Guitar. This project is appropriate for every age group, belief, culture, and gender, making it a perfect gift for any individual or group, as its purposeful focus is the health and healing of humanity. For more information on how to purchase this educative / entertaining project, type WORKBOOK in the subject area, and email to Sing4us2J@msn.com