They say that the greatest advice can be found in the oddest of places. That being said, Jeanette Bonner likes to borrow a quote from actor Gary Busey. "Acting is the absence of acting. It's believing in the truth of the moment you're in. It's like eating food you adore in the dark. Like getting dressed in the dark and coming out perfectly."

Although the source is often fodder for debate, the quote should resonate with all performers. "I appreciate this quote for how it captures what has drawn me to acting all my life and guided me in my career today. Real acting had the magical ability of transporting you into the very essence of, not just acting LIKE, another being, each and every time you accept a role, whether it be big or small. The continual challenge of making that transformation and the reward of performing before an audience who is made to believe you are what you are transformed into - that is the magnetism of the art to me."

Born in the Big Apple suburb of Tuckahoe, New York (yes, there is such a place), Jeanette began performing the way most young actresses do - in ballet recitals, gymnastic tournaments, and elementary school plays. Her parents claim that her "theatrical soul" came to life at a young age, as she devised her own skits and dance routines and performed them for anyone who would watch. Her younger brother often MCeed and introduced her on his imaginary microphone to her captive audience.......and so a star was born!

After her family moved to New Jersey, Jeanette continued to perform and grow theatrically. He performed, competed, and traveled with dance, cheerleading, and choral groups in New York, New Jersey, throughout the East Coast, and even at Disney World. She often held leads in her high school musicals, and continued to make "dance routines" as the Head Choreographer for her high school's Show Choir and Repertory Theater.

Jeanette went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater and Dance from Trinity College, in Hartford, Connecticut. She held lead roles in shows like "Working" and "A New Brain," choreographing these and other musicals, including "Evita," and "Collette Collage." She spent some time during college working for Theatreworks of Hartford, and Theatrefest in residence at Montclair State University in New Jersey, which afforded her such rewarding opportunities as working with Rich Little's satire, "The Presidents," and with Debbie Reynolds in one of her final concerts.

In Fall 2000, Jeanette took a semester to study in New York City at the prestigious off-Broadway theater La MaMa ETC, which afforded her the opportunity to work with NYC professionals. During this time she also worked with dancers at Jose Limon Dance Foundation, and performed with the acclaimed Young People's Chorus of New York City for their season, which included a televised broadcast of the 1930's opera "Second Hurricane" by Aaron Copland at the 92nd Street YMCA.

Jeanette concluded her time at Trinity with a powerful senior thesis on theater for social change that elicited controversy and debate throughout the campus.

Since college graduation, Jeanette continues to be active in the New York theater scene. Her experiences have been broadened by extensive travel with national tours, including Sesame Street Live's "123 Imagine!" Watch out for Jeanette as she continues to perform in NYC with fierce determination. Look for her in productions to come and follow her prgress as she paves her own path on the News page!