Janet R. Carpman, PhD is PlayZoomers’ co-founder, Executive Director, and Board President. She produces all PlayZoomers shows with Mary Ann Nichols, casts many, and directs on occasion. Jan also founded and currently produces the PlayZoomers “Act Me a Story” early childhood literacy video program in conjunction with the Michigan nonprofit, Washtenaw Promise. Music and theatre (and musical theatre) have been her lifelong passions, indulged by many years of singing, acting, directing, stage managing, and more with various organizations and community theatres. While living in Michigan, Jan co-founded a song-and-dance troupe specializing in vintage American popular music and was a producer, performer, and Board President for nearly twenty-five years. Now based in Boston, she is also an architectural sociologist and wayfinding expert, writer, speaker, and co-author of two award-winning books, Design that Cares: Planning Health Facilities for Patients & Visitors, and Directional Sense: How to Find Your Way Around. Her Armin Lear debut book, co-edited with Mary Ann Nichols, is Comedies for the Virtual Stage.