Jane Siarny is dedicated to uplifting the human spirit through creativity, community building, and body-wise practices. Jane burst into the Chicago dance scene in 1985 by joining the Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble and the Faculty at MoMing Dance & Arts Center where she also performed her original works. She also toured two children’s programs to Chicago-area schools & community centers and offered workshops & performances through the Sacred Dance Guild.

In 1991 at the National Sacred Dance Guild Festival, Jane discovered InterPlay and its co-creators, Phil Porter and Cynthia Winton-Henry. Jane was looking for something that would integrate her love of voice, music, improvisational movement and storytelling. With InterPlay she was able to integrate all these expressions and find a community based in affirmation, authenticity and the celebration of the human spirit. In 1992 she co-founded OUTABOUNDS Performance Company that was housed at the Chicago Cultural Center where Jane directed the Hedwig School of Dance and created the Dance Discovery Series.

Since co-founding InterPlay Chicago in 19941992 Jane has been instrumental in leading the Life Practice Program to help people integrate the InterPlay philosophy and practices. She also serves as a Mentor in the InterPlay Leader Training Program and as Coordinator of the Life Practice Program. She was thrilled when the InterPlay Art and Social Change Program came to Chicago in 2024 and is happy to see many participants pursue InterPlay Leadership Certification.

In 1985 Jane participated in a Sacred Dance Guild workshop at Granville Avenue United Methodist Church in Chicago. Now 40 years later, having moved into the neighborhood, she incorporates InterPlay into Granville’s Children’s Ministry. Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s she had the freedom of big lawns, wild woods, skating, dancing, singing at church, and cavorting along the trail with the Girl Scout Troop. With the rest of her days, she strives to cultivate creative communities where all beings can have the freedom to express who they really are and grow into who they want to become.
On the eve of her 70th birthday and 34 years with InterPlay, Jane is grateful for the support of the InterPlay Chicago Community, Granville Avenue United Methodist Church, and so many other organizations and persons: especially InterPlay co-creators Phil Porter and Cynthia Winton-Henry, Jane's family and friends around the world who continue to encourage her along this journey of life.

Diane holds an undergraduate degree in Dance Education from Ohio State and an MFA in performance and choreography from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has served on the dance faculties at the University of Akron, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Northwestern University. Currently Diane is on the faculty at Loyola University of Chicago coordinating the Masters In Education/Dance Endorsement Partnership with the Chicago Public Schools. From 1991-2021 she taught dance, fine arts, and yoga at Wheeling High School in Illinois and uses InterPlay within the curriculum. Diane has introduced thousands of teens to InterPlay both at Wheeling and in workshop settings for dancers, poets, and theatre students in at state and national level conferences. She has also presented numerous workshops for educators on local and national levels. She is proud to be one of the first leaders certified by Phil and Cynthia...way back when... Diane is a wife, mother (of two adult sons), and was an active volunteer on Chicago's Dance for Life. She was a contributing editor/writer for Dance Spirit and Dance Teacher magazines (NYC) since from 1997-2019 with over 100 articles published. In 2002 she was named the NDA (National Dance Association) Midwest Dance Educator, in 2007 she was named University of Wisconsin Madison School of Education Distinguished Alumni Award receipient and credits InterPlay as the unique part of her work in the schools. In 2014 Diane was awarded Chicago's Ruth Page Award for her work as an advocate, mentor and educator. Diane is currently facilitating the InterPlay in Education initiative.