Nee Planden, a highly accomplished and seasoned theatre professional with an impressive career spanning over three decades, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to successfully balance and excel in a multitude of roles within the industry. Her diverse range of skills and expertise includes acting, producing, directing, designing, writing, and arts administration, solidifying her position as a multifaceted and versatile individual.
Notably, her impressive resume boasts a remarkable achievement, one that is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit, financial acumen, and unwavering dedication to the world of theatre. In 1999, she proudly acquired the historic Sunset Theatre in Wells, British Columbia, a significant milestone in her career. This impressive feat was accomplished while she was still serving as the Executive Director of the Vancouver Fringe Festival, a position that required her to juggle multiple responsibilities and priorities.
The acquisition of the Sunset Theatre is a remarkable story in and of itself, one that showcases her ability to think outside the box and take calculated risks. With the aid of her credit card, she was able to secure the theatre, a testament to her resourcefulness and determination. This bold move not only solidified her position as a leader in the theatre community but also provided her with a unique opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the industry.
Karen's remarkable career has been marked by a series of notable collaborations with prestigious theatrical institutions scattered throughout Canada, her adopted homeland. Her professional journey has taken her to the vibrant cities of Toronto, Stratford, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, where she currently makes her home.
Karen possesses a profound admiration for the First Nations community, a sentiment that has been further solidified through her recent collaborative endeavour with Marcel Gagnon, a talented musician who has received a Juno Award nomination.
Karen's appreciation for the First Nations community is multifaceted and runs deep, and she has recently had the opportunity to bring her passion to life through a groundbreaking fusion of theatre, ceremony, concert, and storytelling.
This innovative project has allowed Karen to tap into her creative energies and explore new ways of sharing her enthusiasm for the First Nations community with others, and her collaboration with Marcel Gagnon has been a particularly fruitful and fulfilling experience.
Marcel Gagnon's impressive credentials, including his Juno Award nomination, have undoubtedly added to the prestige and appeal of the project, and Karen has been thrilled to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and accomplished artist.
Through her work on this project, Karen has been able to draw upon her own experiences and perspectives, as well as those of the First Nations community, to create a truly unique and impactful artistic expression.
The fusion of theatre, ceremony, concert, and storytelling that Karen and Marcel Gagnon have created is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of sharing and celebrating different cultures and perspectives.
Karen's dedication to the First Nations community is evident in her work, and her collaboration with Marcel Gagnon has been a significant milestone in her artistic journey.
Karen's passion for acting remains unwavering, despite her multifaceted roles as a theatre owner, producer, jewelry maker, artist, and provider. Amidst her numerous responsibilities, she has made time to perform in various small productions and films.
Karen's personal life is just as vibrant, as she has co-parented two stepchildren, Daniel Jeffery, a skilled filmmaker, actor, editor, and Michaela Jeffery, a celebrated playwright. Her husband Dave has been a constant support in her life.
The couple's younger children, Kelk Jeffery, a violin performance student at the University of British Columbia, and Lucy Jeffery, a talented singer-songwriter with a filmography that rivals her mother's, will be attending Studio 58 theatre school in the new year.
In the midst of her close-knit family, a cinematic masterpiece can be discovered, aptly titled Free Range, expertly directed by the visionary Daniel Jeffery. This visually stunning film presents a captivatingly darkly comedic narrative that offers a poignant glimpse into the intricacies of life within the Jeffery family, masterfully weaving together a complex tapestry of relationships and experiences that are at once both deeply personal and universally relatable.
