The Listen Closely Production Team
Alana Sheeren
Producer/ Director
Listening is one of Alana Sheeren's superpowers. A natural listener, in her early life she gravitated to work where listening was an essential component – actor, bartender, Pilates instructor. In her 30's she honed her skills, earning a Masters Degree in clinical and community psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. Her passion for listening grew exponentially with the birth of her daughter and she worked with new parents to help them understand, respect and listen to their children from birth. Alana understands listening from the inside out, through personal experiences that required immense compassion, forgiveness and the willingness to listen through grief and pain, as well as through her work with her coaching clients. She hosted a year-long interview series on her website about grief and transformation and was invited to host an interview based podcast for Web Talk Radio, called Create Your Magical Life.
Her knowledge of and passion for listening, her curiosity and excellent interviewing skills make her uniquely suited to bring this film to life. She also brings her experience in multiple performing arts and a lifelong passion for learning to the table. As someone who listens with her whole being, Alana is committed to bringing the topic to a bigger stage. She believes in the power of listening to change lives, organizations and the world. She knows this film is part of that change
Sarah Jane Burton
Associate Producer
Sarah Jane Burton has spent a lifetime in the arts. After touring with the Chicago Opera Ballet Company and Ruth Page’s International Ballet Company across the U.S.A., SJ was chosen by famed choreographer Agnes de Mille for the role of “Jeannie” in Brigadoon at New York City Center. Following that she performed many principle parts in NY City and environs, such as “Liat” in South Pacific at the Jones Beach outdoor amphitheater (produced and conducted by Guy Lombardo), and “Dancing Laurey” in Oklahoma! at PaperMill Playhouse.
Following her Canadian husband to Guelph, Ontario, after 3 years in West Africa, Sarah Jane, with her B.A. & M.A. in Dance, developed and taught college/university courses in movement and dance for actors, musicians, visual artists, and dancers at York University, University of Toronto Faculty of Music, George Brown College, Sheridan College Musical Theatre program, and movement for Orff music educators at the University of Manitoba, Wilfred Laurier University, and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
She has choreographed, directed or was movement coach for over 50 professional productions including Canadian Premieres, Musicals, Operas, Plays, Dance Works, Television Specials, Television Series, and Environmental productions, in Canada, USA, France & Ghana.
Shortly after retiring from teaching in 2014, Sarah Jane founded Park’n Dance, providing dance classes to seniors with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2018 she produced and was featured in the award winning documentary short film, “Moving Journeys”, about a collaboration between professional dancers and seniors with Parkinson’s, culminating in a community performance. Sarah Jane has spent a lifetime listening to words, music and the language of the body and she is thrilled to be lending her creativity and expertise to the Listen Closely project.
John Phaneuf
Director of Photography
John Phaneuf is an accomplished and sought-after filmmaker and editor residing in Ojai, CA. He promotes conscious companies and organizations on a mission to create a more sustainable, healthy, and just world. He has done extensive work with Patagonia, The Center for Mind Body Medicine, spiritual teacher and author Ram Dass, and countless local businesses and international charities. He is known for his dedicated passion, creative vision, and high skill level.