Actor

Janna Räsänen

I am a Helsinki-based actor, born in 1991, with roots in Savonlinna. I have over 20 years of experience in acting and I work as a freelancer in theatre, film and audio.

I am inspired by projects that involve collective and experimental collaboration and that push the boundaries of professional roles. My strengths as an actor include working with text, sensitivity, a powerful presence and a strong sense of rhythm and dramaturgy. I am ambitious and reliable, and I’m easy to work with, I treat every colleague with great warmth and respect.

Core values for me include nature and animals, ecocritical thinking, feminist approach and kindness. Photography, arts and spending time with my dog are close to my heart.

Contact

janna.rasanen@gmail.com
Ph: (+358) 50 329 1628

Helsinki, Finland

Education

Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama), BA&MA
Theatre Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki 2012–2018

Selected Coursework:

Character Method Workshop (A Gestalt-based Acting Technique) – Maria Funkens, Jukka Keinonen 2020
Chekhov Technique Workshop – Marjo-Riikka Mäkelä 2019

Film & Television

Film:

The Seal Mother – Agnieszka Trzos
Greenlit Production 2027
Hetki ennen valoa – Klaus Härö
Making Movies 2026
Sekasauna – Juuso Timonen
Aalto University 2026
Saimaan sylissä – Janna Räsänen
Saimaan Teatteri 2025
Naisten huone – Samuli Niittymäki
Aalto University 2015
Dagmamman – kaksi kotia – Klaus Härö
Kinotar Oy 2013

Television:

Helsinki Syndrooma season 2 – Juuso Syrjä, Marko Mäkilaakso
Fisher King Oy 2025
Helsinki Syndrooma – Juuso Syrjä, Lenka Hellstedt, Marko Mäkilaakso
Fisher King Oy 2022
Nofilter – kun puhelin paljastaa kaiken – Janne Lankoski
Yle (The Finnish Broadcasting Company) 2019
Sorjonen season 2 – Miikko Oikkonen
Fisher King Oy 2018

Stage

Pieniä hetkiä joissa elimme* – Janne Pellinen
Saimaan Teatteri 2025
llta Saimaalla – Maia Häkli
Saimaan Teatteri & Lappeenranta City Theatre 2024
Maaseutua etsimässä* – Janne Pellinen
Saimaan Teatteri 2023
Kostonkierre – Tommi Kainulainen
Lahti City Theatre 2022
Ripari – Riikka Oksanen
Saimaan Teatteri 2022
Kohtaamisia* – Janna Räsänen, Mari Naumala
Lahti City Theatre 2021
Kolme iloista rosvoa* – Aleksis Meany
Lahti City Theatre 2021
Sota ja rauha* – Pasi Lampela
Lahti City Theatre 2021
Saituri – Ilkka Laasonen
Lahti City Theatre 2021
Katto Kassinen* – Tuija Töyräs
Lahti City Theatre 2020
Saimaan demokraattinen tasavalta – Piia Peltola & Crew
Saimaan Teatteri 2019
Comeback – räpätessä roiskuu – Sakari Hokkanen
Helsinki City Theatre 2019
Vuoden perhe* – Riikka Oksanen
Teatteri Takomo 2018
Miten kävi ja terveisiä – Ilja Lehtinen & Crew
Teatteri Takomo 2017
Häät* – Riikka Oksanen
Saimaan Teatteri 2016
Paha äitipuoli – Kirsi Porkka, Marina Meinander
Finnish National Theatre 2016

*Lead role

Audio

Yle (The Finnish Broadcasting Company)

Malabar tulee – Juha Siltanen 202_
Lokki 2.0 – Kun Konsta kuoli* – Topi Marin 2024
Hirviön unet – Mirkka Kallio 2021
Asu – Katariina Numminen 2021
Ihmissyöjä* – Henri Tuulasjärvi 2020
Olipa kerran Kalliossa – Riikka Oksanen 2018
Ääniin säilötty – Suvi Sinervo, Niklas Nybom 2017
Tulevaisuus hanskassa – Antti Lehtinen 2017
Naapurissani asuu tiikeri – Riikka Oksanen 2016
Mustat morsiamet* – Johanna Vuoksenmaa 2015

*Lead role

Other:

Actor for audiobooks / 30+ audiobooks
Silencio Oy 2020–
Saimaan Teatterin podcast – Janne Pellinen
Saimaan Teatteri 2020

Languages: Finnish (native), English (fluent), Swedish (basics), French (ready lines)

Special Skills: Dance, Singing, Floor Acrobatics, Savo Dialect, Text Interpretation, Sensitivity, Photography, Dog Handling

Height: 160 cm / 5’3”

Eyes: Blue–green

Apparent age: 25–35

Recognition

Awards:

Suomi-palkinto (Finland Award) – Saimaan Teatteri
Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture 2025

Grants:

Work at Saimaan Teatteri
Kone Foundation 2025
Work at Saimaan Teatteri
Arts Promotion Centre Finland 2024
Work at Saimaan Teatteri
Kone Foundation 2020–2023

Additional information

Leadership & Service:

Theatre Secretary
Saimaan Teatteri 2023–2025

Memberships & Associations:

Finnish Actors Union, Saimaan Teatteri, WITF Finland ry