Idaho Arts Charter School
Jan Jorgensen - Artistic Director

I'm Jan Jorgensen, a native Central Oregonian. I am honored to have the position of the Arts Director and Drama coach at Idaho Arts Charter School.

In Oregon I had the opportunity to get my teaching degree after years of many other jobs. I have been in retail, a bank teller, house-painting contractor, clown, actor and realtor! I received my undergraduate degree from Oregon State University in liberal arts (emphasis in art and history) and Masters degree from Eastern Oregon College (University). I taught adjunct for NNU and I take continuing ed from BSU. I have had the opportunity to teach teachers in other charter and magnet schools, how to better integrate the arts in academic classes.


After school, several months of the school year, I directed student plays such as Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Oliver and Christmas Carol. Because of my obsession with William Shakespeare I adapted some of his works for younger students and began our annual "Shakespeare in the Spring" events. Midsummer Night's Dream, Tempest, Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet were performed by first through fifth grade students who will never forget their time on stage. We wanted to honor women in history each March, so we (Marge Biggers, music teacher in Redmond and I) made mini plays and presentations for students to perform as famous woman. We also wanted to depict how the renaissance and daVinci affected the world with "daVinci Days" event at school. We had experiments, plays, language class, Italian sodas and pizza making. It was another time of true engaged learning and lots of fun!

I directed students during the week and then I spent many weekends with a troupe of improv actors on the local dinner train. Murder mysteries were our specialties! Other times, two other actors and I had a dinner theatre production company, (TJJ Productions) wrote our own scripts and traveled to local venues to perform for service organizations, the local animal shelter (a fundraiser) and for a few dollars we would perform in restaurants. In the High Desert Opera Company I had the opportunity to be the costume mistress and perform in the chorus. It was very exciting to move to Nampa and discover Music Theatre of Idaho where I had the opportunity to perform in shows such as Seussical, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot and The Sound of Music. Here at IACS we have performed CopaCabana, Once on this Island, Mulan, Babes in Toyland, Little Shop of Horrors, Dracula, Jungle Book and, soon, Guys and Dolls.

My other interests are pottery (Central Oregon Raku Society), calligraphy and design. I paint, sew, cook, garden and travel. I am looking forward to my next trip to Europe (I am madly in love with Paris) I go to the Oregon Coast as often as I can and I want to go to New York to see something great on Broadway!

I have three fabulous daughters (two live in Boise and one lives in Portland) who never cease to amaze and inspire me. I count my blessings constantly!

IACS is a place I would have sent my daughters, if it had been possible! Paint, dance, act, sing, and play music-all in one place! Creativity, brilliance, acceptance and intelligence are words that come to mind when thinking of Idaho Arts Charter School. I love it!

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