9 TO 5 Star Janney Featured In Newest Episode Of ATW's 'Downstage Center,' Premieres 8/17

The American Theatre Wing has announced that four-time Emmy Award-winner and 2009 Tony Award Nominee Allison Janney, currently starring on Broadway in 9 to 5, is the next guest on their popular interview show, "Downstage Center." Hosted by American Theatre Wing Executive Director Howard Sherman, "Downstage Center" features weekly in-depth interviews with the leading artists and professionals working on stage today. Janney's interview is available as a podcast beginning today (Monday, 8/17) through iTunes or an RSS feed. To subscribe to the feed, visit www.americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter.

On the third episode since the return of "Downstage Center," Janney talks about her transformation into a musical comedy performer, and why the dancing didn't worry her but the singing did. She also discusses her theatrical education at Kenyon College, The Neighborhood Playhouse and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts; what it was like to be directed in her very first college show by Paul Newman and her subsequent tutelage under mentor JoAnne Woodward; her challenge in finding an agent; what an aptitude test said she was most suited for professionally; how the movie Hoosiers helped her conquer her fear of making her Broadway debut opposite Frank Langella in Present Laughter; why she's not a Shakespeare aficionado in general and why we'll never again see her performing in Central Park, where she starred in The Taming of the Shrew; how The West Wing's "walk and talk" sequences reminded her of theatre; and "the truth" about how she scarred Anthony LaPaglia for life when they appeared on Broadway in A View from the Bridge.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. In addition to "Downstage Center," The Wing sponsors many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre. These programs include "Working in the Theatre," a weekly television program on CUNY TV which gathers panels of theater artists to discuss their crafts; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants program for New York City not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded nearly $3 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC; and the Jonathan Larson® Grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers. Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can listen to archive episodes of "Downstage Center," all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast and can view or download an archive of "Working in the Theatre" episodes.

For additional information about "Downstage Center" and all American Theatre Wing programs, go to americantheatrewing.org.