June Angela

June Angela Profanato (born August 18, 1959) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her best-known role is that of Julie, the mainstay member of the Short Circus band that was featured in the PBS children's television series The Electric Company during its entire six-year run. Early years Working since age 5, she considered her American-Asian self, half culturally inhibited and reserved, and the other half brazenly bold with a New York state of mind as an East Coaster. In the attempt to straighten out her pigeon-toed feet, she was first-assigned to ballet lessons by her supportive parents. Plowing a trail beyond her early beginnings of ballet, jazz and tap, she always knew what she wanted to do. However, her parents had rules. There was no room to be a show biz brat or she would be out. She also had to do well with her school work. She adhered to household parameters and graduated from SUNY Empire State College at the age of 18. There were no Asian-American role models specific to her being initially inspired to map out a plan. She, as a young child was the live version of the Jan Doll in a commercial of the [Remco] Asian toy, who would raise her hand to wave hi. She didn’t think so much at that age about representing Asian girls as she entered the field. She focused on what was in front of her. With determination to endure in the industry by simply doing what she loved, she pushed herself forward at the beginning of her career. However, it was her heart, dedication and the hard work which she had applied to her show business craft that had her juggling a very busy and full life before becoming an adult. The Short Circus As Julie, Angela grew up on The Electric Company. She was awarded an Emmy of Honor for her work on the series. Angela sang on the Grammy Award-winning 1971 soundtrack album of The Electric Company as well. Angela said she named her Short Circus character Julie after her idol at the time, Julie Andrews.