ABOUT ME
MY STORYActor, Writer, Producer, Director, Educator
Shannon was also one of the core writers for Chicago’s annual hit, The Fly Honey Show for the past 15 yeares. Shannon is also author of four solo performances, She Think She Grown, We Gotta Eat, The Saga of the Return, and Heartbreak Hotel: Whitney.
Shannon has produced live events and festivals such as Urban Word NYC’s Grand Slam finals at the Apollo Theater (NYC), Brave New Voices International Teen Poetry Festival (Multiple Cities), and the Life is Living Community Festival (Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Oakland). Shannon created and was host of Queer Abstract, a monthly QTPOC variety show in Brooklyn which ran for three years.
Shannon has worked professionally for many mission based organizations such as Young Chicago Authors, Youth Speaks, Urban Word NYC and The Center for Cultural Power in many roles such as Teaching Artist, Program Director, Communications & Social Media, Event Production, Grant Management and others.
Originally from Berkeley CA, Shannon has lived in New York, Chicago, and now resides in Los Angeles. The eldest of 5 adopted children Shannon has made a way and a name for herself.
Shannon Matesky and has been seen on Broadway in Jordan E. Cooper’s Aint No Mo, Steppenwolf Theater, La Jolla Theater, and in many non traditional venues. Shannon was a member of the 2018 Directors Lab at Lincoln Center in New York and has been an Assistant Director at Chicago’s Court Theater and Goodman Theater, among others. Shannon was also a featured performer in BARS presented by The Public. Shannon holds a BFA from DePaul Theatre School.
As a poet, she has featured in venues across the country and has been seen on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Nylon Magazine, and BET Online. She has taught writing workshops, led panels, and been a featured speaker at many universities including Yale, Juilliard, and University of Wisconsin, Madison.
SERVICESWanna work together? Let’s do it! So many great ways to collaborate!
Speaking Engagements and Panels
Theater or Solo Performance Workshops
Production Direction or Project Management
Acting and Voiceover
“The most impactful experience for me may have been coming across folks like Shannon (and others) who could be doing anything with their lives but are so serious about their work. I think my dreams have always overwhelmed me because I'd never seen anyone older than me care about the things I care about. I know folks exist, but I hadn't come across them. It's nice to know that you can have a sustainable life even when following your heart and passion, and really just wanting to help others.”
Young Adult Participant - Artist as Catalyst Program