Biography & CV
John "Jape" Payette is a drama teacher, actor, vocalist, acting coach, producer, and writer based in Boston's North Shore area. He has been teaching his K-5 Acting For YoungStars and preschool Music & Movement programs for over 20 years. His Improv for Teens brings his drama instruction experience to tweens and teens.
Jape has been a working actor in the local theater, musical theater, television, voice over, and commercial scene for over 30 years. He has also directed stage productions for middle schools & high schools and for community theater groups of all ages.
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He is a published author and song writer with his "Jape The Great Ape From Outer Spacer" book series and "Songs For YoungStars" song collection. (Available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes).
Acting
Musical Theater
Newsies the Musical: Joseph Pulitzer
Neverland Theater
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High School Musical: Coach Bolton
Neverland Theatre
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Narnia, The Musical: Aslan
Theatre of Light
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Trolley Christmas Carol: Bob Cratchit
Griffen Theatre
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Peter Pan: The Pirate Starky
Firehouse Center for the Arts
1959 Comedy Class Party: Benny
Boston Center for the Arts
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Scrooge & Marley: Fred/Young Scrooge
Gloucester Stage Co.
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The Cabaret: Chorus
Warwick Players
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The Mystery of Edwin Drood: Chorus
Lynnfield Spotlighters
Theater (partial list)
Beauty and The Beast: Papa
Neverland Theatre
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The Trial of Susannah Martin: Many Roles
Delvena Theatre Co.
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King Arthur & Robin Hood Fairies: Nils/Sheriff
Pastimes
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Hey, Let’s Get Married: Timmy
Nightfire Media
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Ten Little Indians: Sir Justice Lawrence Wargrave
Firehouse Center for the Arts
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Secret of Ghostly Mansion & Other Shows: Hector/Edward, et al.
Griffen Theatre
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Arsenic And Old Lace:Mortimer
Firehouse Center for the Arts
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Last Night of Ballyhoo: Peachy Weil
Theatre in the Pines
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Bewitched: Darren
Comedy Theatre Productions
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Dogtown Common: Rev John Wharf
Theatre in the Pines
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Broadway Bound: Stan
Firehouse Center for the Arts
The House of Blue Leaves: Ronnie
Visionary Unlimited
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The Battle for Pigeon Cove Harbor: Ed
Gloucester Stage Co.
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The Crucible: Rev. Hale
Delvena Theatre Co.
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Captain’s & Courage: Ensemble
Gloucester Stage Co.
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The Scarlet Letter: Chillingworth et.al
History Alive! CNN/BBC/MTV/NPR
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Cry Innocent: Rev. John Hale et.al
History Alive! Discovery Channel
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The Tempest: Trinculo:
Rebel Shakespeare Co.
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The Merchant of Venice: Lancelot
Rebel Shakespeare Co.
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Demetrius/Lysander
Rebel Shakespeare & Theatre in Pines
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As You Like it: Touchstone
Rebel Shakespeare Co.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Murder on the Dance Floor: Shifty Two Shoes/Detective Tony
ShuffleGloucester Players
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Mystery Café (Many Scripts): Elvis and many Other Characters
Comedy Theatre Productions (15 yrs)
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Murder at the Coconut Cabana: Rex Gulfstream
Tremont Playhouse
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Murder in the Breakdown Lane: Detective Rick Bahnof
Deco Boston Dinner Theatre
Voice Over
Caras Coaching Training VO: Coach Chris
Newbury Media
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North Hill VO: Loan officer
Tube Media Production
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IRA Nissan VO: Car owner
WEZE Radio
Commercial/Industrial
IParty/commercial: Ghost & Easter Bunny
Sound & Vision Media
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Careway Wellness Center/industrial: Customer
AT & T Broadband
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Michael’s Restaurant/commercial: Patron
MediaOne
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Best Buy/industrial: Promo
Collinge-Pickman
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W.B. Mason Office Supplies/commercial: Soldier (“At the Front”)
Boston Productions
Bed, Bath & Beyond/commercial: Employee
Creative Video Design & Prod.
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Dunkin Donuts/industrial: Employee
Creative Video Design & Prod.
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CVS/industrial: Salesman
Creative Video Design & Prod.
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Ocean Spray/industrial: Craisons Advertiser
Models Inc.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car/commercial: Sales Rep.
Visible Productions
Directing
Plays & Musicals
Newsies the Musical: Co-Director
Neverland Theatre
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Peter Pan: 5th Grade Play
Witchcraft Heights Elementary, Salem
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The Emporer’s New Clothes: 5th Grade Play
Witchcraft Heights Elementary, Salem
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Pinocchio: 5th Grade Play
Witchcraft Heights Elementary, Salem
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Apostrophes’ & The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Gloucester High School Drama Advisor 2012 – 2013
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Aladdin: Art ReachPlays.com
Page Elementary School, W. Newbury
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Murder on the Dance Floor by Jape Payette
Comedy Mystery Interactive
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Narnia, the Musical by CS Lewis
Theatre of Light, Salem
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Fools by Neil Simon
Manchester/ Essex Regional
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Elves on Strike by Jape Payette
ArtSpace, Gloucester
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Be Kind to Your Mother (Earth) by Douglas Love
North Shore Performing Arts
The Trial of Susannah Martin by Jape Payette & Lynn Moulton Delvena Theatre Co.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: Various Scripts
Comedy Theatre Prod.
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Children’s Theatre Various Scripts: Various Schools
JapeScape Productions
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Children’s Christmas Pageants: Saint Mel’s School
LaSallette Shrine
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Hey Let’s Get Married by Mike Dubson
Boston Center for the Arts
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Summer Drama Director: NS Community College
Cape Ann YMCA
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Drama Teacher/ Director/ Productions Manager, Rockport School:
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Instructor of middle school in developing creativity through voice and movement;
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Additionally, served as the production manager for middle school plays
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Director of the Middle School Drama Festival, Rockport, MA
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Solstice School Drama Teacher/ Director, Rowley, mA
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Pre School Drama Director, Various Schools, Cape Ann, JapeScape Productions
Writing
Books
"Short Scenes For YoungStars: 40 short, easy appropriate scenes for elementary aged children"
JapeScape Productions
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"Jape The Grape Ape From Outer Space"
Episode 1, 2, & 3
By Jape Payette
Music
Songs For YoungStars (collection)​
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Just Jape (3-song collection)
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Good-Bye to Yesterday (single)
Additional Experience & Education
Experience
2003- Present
JapeScape Productions, Drama Workshops & Historical Characters, Acting for YoungStars, Self-employed:
1) DramaTeacher
2) Writer/ Performer in school assemblies in MA, NH & Maine.
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Drama/Music Teacher for Preschools: Annisquam, St. Mel’s, Happy Day, Essex Ave, Hartz Street, Majestic Harbor, Gloucester & Rowley; Sandy Bay and Lighthouse, Rockport, Woodland Place
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After School/ Vacation Drama Teacher, Gloucester, Danvers, Ipswich, Peabody, West Newbury, Hamilton/Wenham, Marblehead, Salem, Manchester
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Summer Drama Workshops: Art Harbor; Rockport Youth Commission; CABI
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Summer of Discovery & Acting for Anyone, North Shore Community College
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Other Drama Workshops & Private Coaching: Cub Scouts; Birthday Parties; Hamilton/ Wenham Community Center; Solstice High School, Rowley
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Director of Manchester Essex Regional Middle School Play
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Director Comedy Dinner Show written by Jape
2000-2003
Drama Teacher/ Director/ Productions Manager at Rockport School
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Instructor of middle school students in developing creativity through voice and movement
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Served as the production manager for middle school plays and director of the middle school drama festival
2000-2002
After School Drama Workshop Facilitator, Rockport Public Schools
Designed and taught various drama workshops to elementary and middle and high school students, & adults with Directed Performances
2000-2002
1) Site Director YMCA After School Program, Rockport, MA
Directed recreational program for school-aged children; supervised junior counselors; instituted enrichment activities to teach communication, social skills, character development and self-esteem.
2) Summer Drama Specialist YMCA Camp Spindrift, Gloucester, MA
1999-2002
Teacher’s Assistant: 1) Middle School & 2) Head Start Program
Served the special needs department as a one-on-one teacher/ tutor.
Education
1986 - Present
Actor's Workshops and Training Sessions
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Acting in Films with TVI Actors Studio, NY
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Scene Studies with Marc Clapton, Newburyport
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On-Camera & Commercial Techniques: Collinge-Pickman Studios, Boston
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Private Acting/Audition Coach: Fran Weinberg
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Private Voice Technique/Vocal Coach: John O’Neil
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Searching for the Stars Award Recipient, Firehouse Center, Newburyport
2006
North Shore Community College
Early Childhood Growth & Development program
1997
Insight Boston
Intensive personal growth and development seminar
1982-1986
Gordon College
B.A. Theatre Arts
Excellence Award in Dramatic Presentation