Raised in quaint, bucolic Berkshire County, Massachusetts, my passion for storytelling propelled me to Boston, New York, Edinburgh, London and Bristol, where I received my MFA in Acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Because drama school in London would be way too predictable – Clifton proud!     

 

Not wanting to limit myself to one obscure craft nor one pocket of the world; I’ve trained in clown, combat, classical text, puppetry, dialects, and voice at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Boston University, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Shakespeare and Company, and St. Ann’s Warehouse.​ 

 

What are the origins of Shalan, you ask? So does everyone else! Like any good story, judging the book by the cover doesn’t tell the whole tale. A true melting-pot American, my heritage is Eastern European (Ashkenazi), Mediterranean, North African (Mizrahi), and North Western European. I’m always happy to engage in conversations about my life experience, heritage, and identity.     

 

When not out exploring this beautiful planet or diving into fantastic stories; you can find me making music with my partner; taking our Frenchie puppy Edith out on adventures; watching British TV; listening to audiobooks and podcasts while experimenting in the kitchen; and, like any elder millennial, enjoying biodynamic wine, fumbling through TikTok, and practicing yoga daily.