Photo by DJ Corey
About Me...
Hi, I'm Shana! I am an actor, director, and dramaturg whose passions are ignited by new works, rich texts with socio-political relevance, and stories with a little grit. I believe that theatre is a place to build collective care for humanity, highlighting people that are multi-dimensional, complex, and difficult to define. I care deeply about my communities and have found that theatre is unique in its power to open the ears, hearts, and minds of those who engage with it. That is why I focus my energy on work brought to life by the incredible artists that surround us now who have been underrepresented and present a fresh perspective to share with the world.
I was born and raised in Chicago and currently live in the beautiful city of Washington, DC. I have had the pleasure of working with many theaters in this community such as Arena Stage, Round House, Mosaic, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Theater J, and many more. I graduated from Wesleyan University with majors in Theatre and American Studies, and a minor in African American Studies.
My Artistic Values...
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
I am committed to creating art that will last in the minds and hearts of viewers for its powerful imagery, language, and conceit.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVE CONVERSATION
I am determined to teach as much as I learn, sending the audience home not only with a valuable communal experience, but insight to a new worldview, perspective, or concept they hadn’t considered before.
SOCIAL RELEVANCE AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY
I am fiercely passionate about creating discourse between my work, the audience, and the world around us. I approach every story with reverence, respect, and an effort to learn as much as possible from those around me.
UNFLINCHING INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
In a country falling deeper into the grips of censorship and fascism, stifling the voices of its opposition, I am loudly proud to be a megaphone for the stories of resilience, perseverence, and triumph of the 99%.
Up Next...
RORSCHACH THEATER'S MAGIC IN ROUGH SPACES: Lost Girls by Paige Conway
I am so excited to finally making my directing debut with Rorschach as a featured part of their Magic In Rough Spaces New Play Lab this year. As one of three presenting finalists, I will have the pleasure of working with Paige as well as a full cast and theoretical designer to present a staged reading of this gorgeous new play and a vision for how it could be produced. Rorschach has been an artistic home for me and I'm so grateful to Randy and Jenny for trusting me with this beautiful story and the giving me the chance to help tell it. Reserve your tickets here and I'll see you there!
Nathan Pugh,
Wesleyan Argus review of The Wolves
"Laski plays the role with a steely attitude and a brashness, which we come to understand masks an unshakable insecurity. It’s remarkable that although #7 is the most confident person on the team (especially about her body and sexuality), it is through her domineering presence that we can identify her vulnerability."
Amanda Gunther, TheaterBloom review of Closer
“Playing the hardened and enigmatic Alice, Shana Laski is one of the more fiery elements of this performance quartet... Laski presents a perpetually jaded and aloof frontage to the character of Alice, which is a marvelous mask to the deeply disturbed inner life of Alice. "
Mary Lincer,
Broadway World review of The Pliant Girls
"Shana Laski's choreography, for the women especially, helps visually mark the many shifts in the text. "