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Shellen Lubin

Birth Place: United States

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BIO

Shellen Lubin is a director and teacher/coach, songwriter/singer, advocate for women in the arts, actor/singer, and writer of many things, including plays, musicals, and Monday Morning Quotes, a think piece she distributes and posts online first thing each week.

ADVOCACY: Shellen Lubin is the Co-President of the Women in the Arts and Media Coalition which she has been an integral part of since its inception. The organization works with advocacy, networking, and events to support women and the image of women in the arts and media. She is also the Co-Secretary of the League of Professional Theatre Women, a membership organization for women in theatre. She is currently in the studio with her longtime friend and collaborator, Elsa Rael, recording their newest song, “50/50 in 2020”—a rock anthem to support the new 50/50 in 2020 movement, which is a joint collaboration of LPTW, the Women’s Project, and New Perspectives Theatre. Shellen performed the song with Ilene Kristen at the Coalition’s VintAge event at Symphony Space in 2010.

PLAYWRIGHT and SONGWRITER: Shellen and two of her songs were featured in Milos Forman’s first American film, TAKING OFF, and were on the soundtrack of the film. She just wrote music and lyrics for the Musical Ghost Story BETWEEN PRETTY PLACES, play by Susan Merson, which she directed at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice, CA and at Here Arts Center in NYC starring Carolyn Mignini and Tuck Milligan. Her play, IMPERFECT FLOWERS, was written for and performed by Gretchen Cryer and James (Jimmy) Wlcek. It played to rave reviews in Omaha, Nebraska, as part of SNAP!Fest (“a night when acting and lights and music and a glorious script all come together into something bordering on magic,” Omaha World-Herald.) The first act of the play, a one-act entitled ANTHESIS, also received raves in L.A. when it played at the West Coast Ensemble. When she first arrived in New York City, she was commissioned by the American Jewish Theatre to create two pieces: one a collection o fpoetry, prose, and song entitled JEWISH DAUGHTERS; and MOLLY’S DAUGHTERS, a musical about three generations of Jewish women. She then wrote the music for BAD NEWS (book and lyrics by Harmon Dresner), which premiered at the New Jersey Public Theatre’s Celebration Playhouse and is published by Dramatic Publishing. Her one acts have been performed at Manhattan Class Company, Henry Street Settlement, Six Figures Theatre Company, Harold Clurman Theater, and Stepforward Productions. Other plays and musicals have been performed in staged readings at the Public Theatre, Henry Street Settlement, Manhattan Class Company, and the Dramatists Guild. Her songs have also been performed by numerous singers in shows, cabaret acts, and auditions. She is currently collaborating with Anthony J. Fusco on a new musical. She just completed writing THE QUALITY OF RESPECT, her own take on the story of William Shakespeare’s THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.

DIRECTOR: Shellen has directed numerous plays, musicals, and cabaret acts in productions, workshops, and readings, most recently the 28th Annual Bistro Awards for Sherry Eaker, Producer. Other recent credits: a concert reading of BELLE BARTH: IF I EMBARRASS YOU, TELL YOUR FRIENDS(by Koch, Levinson, and Kalt) at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank starring Lainie Kazan, Susan Merson’s I BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE starring David Rasche at New World Stages, ON THE LINE at 78th STREET THEATRE LAB (including the writings of Leah Kornfeld Friedman, Maxine Kern, Elsa Okon Rael, Marilyn Rockafellow, and Dana Zeller-Alexis); and staged readings of Susan Merson's BOUNTY OF LACE for Judith Shakespeare Company's Resurgence Festival, Jule Selbo’s LAKE GIRLS for EST, and Stephanie Satie's LEON'S DICTIONARY at 78th STREET THEATRE LAB.

TEACHING ARTIST and VOCAL AND ACTING COACH: As a teaching artist, Ms. Lubin has not only developed and taught theatre, music, and writing programs for schools and libraries, but has worked as a consultant and professional developer for a number of institutions and organizations, including Teachers College, Marymount Manhattan College, Lincoln Center Institute, Nashville Institute for the Arts, New York Public Library, Arts Horizons, and Artscape. As a vocal and acting coach, she teaches professionals for stage, screen, and recordings, and has taught and performed at a number of colleges and professional and private schools, most notably Marymount Manhattan College, Mannes School of Music, and Bennington College, her alma mater, where she was a guest artist in the Black Music Division for Bill Dixon.

PERFORMER: Shellen has herself performed onstage—as both an actor and a songwriter/singer—for years, both in and out of New York City. She and her songs have been featured on radio (Woody’s Children on WQXR-FM, a one-hour special on WBAI-FM, and various shows on WABC, WOR, and WEVD-FM), cable television, and in Milos Forman’s first American film, TAKING OFF. MOTHER/CHILD, her one-woman musical, was called by WBAI-FM: “a dynamite show about the joys, agonies, conflicts, and concerns of combining new parenthood, person-hood, and artist-hood.” Her one-woman musical CLEANING UP was equally well-received. For years she performed on the cabaret circuit, appearing in most cabaret rooms including Reno Sweeney, Grand Finale, and Don’t Tell Mama. Other performing credits include stage (originating roles in Adam Kraar’s OFFICE MISHEGOSS directed by Maura Tighe, and at EST directed by Peter Zapp, and Michael Shurtleff’s WOMAN TO WOMAN at The Troupe), screen (including principal roles in the films GREEN CARD and OPERATION LYSISTRATA), and television (including an appearance on the Joe Franklin Show). She recently appeared in THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at Here Arts Center directed by Andrea Bertola.

WRITER: Her philosophical musings on living as an artist and living with artistry were commissioned by Sherry Eaker and have been read by thousands in five cover pieces for Backstage, the Performing Arts Weekly. She is the only person to have ever written on artistry from a philosophical perspective for Backstage, and her writing had a profound effect on readers across the country. She also writes a weekly reflective piece called the “Monday Morning Quote” which goes out on the internet first thing each week to an ever-increasing list of subscribers and is read by many others at www.mondaymorningquote.com, www.mondaymorningquotes.com, and on facebook.

Shellen is a member of the Dramatists Guild, SDC, BMI, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and the New York Singing Teachers Association. As well as her B.A. from Bennington College in Drama, Music, and Dance, Shellen also holds an MILS degree from Syracuse University with honors.

Photos

News


Photos: Opening Night of Pamela Weiler Grayson's New Play OBSERVANT at the Chain Theatre

Pamela Weiler Grayson’s new play Observant opened on Thursday, September 12 with a sold-out house at Spark Theatre Festival NYC. The New York Premiere is currently running until September 28 at the Chain Theatre in midtown Manhattan. Shellen Lubin directs. Check out photos from opening night here!
Photos: Emerging Artists Theatre's Spark Theatre Festival NYC Week One Shows in Rehearsal

Award-winning Emerging Artists Theatre’s (EAT) bi-annual Spark Theatre Festival NYC starts today, September 9. Check out rehearsal photos here!
New York Premiere Of OBSERVANT To Host Post-Show Discussions

The new play OBSERVANT by Pamela Weiler Grayson will feature post-show discussions with the playwright, director Shellen Lubin, and cast members. The limited engagement runs from September 12-28 at The Chain Theatre.
Emerging Artists Theatre's Spark Theatre Festival NYC Returns September 9 �" 29

Experience 60 new works including musicals, plays, and drag follies at Emerging Artists Theatre’s Spark Theatre Festival NYC from September 9-29, 2024, now at The Chain Theatre.
Pamela Weiler Grayson's New Play OBSERVANT Will Headline Spark Theatre Festival NYC

Pamela Weiler Grayson's new play OBSERVANT will headline the Spark Theatre Festival NYC with a limited engagement from September 12 - 28 at The Chain Theatre.
Submissions Now Open For The 2025 Women In The Arts And Media Coalition Collaboration Awards

Women in the Arts & Media Coalition is calling for submissions for the 2025 Collaboration Awards. Learn how to apply!
Cosmic Orchid's #∞ (HASHTAG INFINITY) Opening At Theater For The New City

Cosmic Orchid has announced that their new production, #∞ (Hashtag Infinity), is opening at Theater for the New City with Crystal Field, Executive Director, presenting.
The League of Professional Theatre Women Will Present the 2023 Rachel Crothers Leadership Award to Anna Deavere Smith

The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) announced that its 2023 Rachel Crothers Leadership Award® will be given to Anna Deavere Smith, multi-award-winning playwright, actress, professor, and author. 
WHEN ZAYDEH DANCED ON ELDRIDGE STREET is Now Playing at the Museum of Jewish Heritage

Dance over to the Museum of Jewish Heritage for two more opportunities to catch the Concert Presentation of 'When Zaydeh Danced on Eldridge Street', a musical adaptation of Elsa Okon Rael's award-winning book.
Theater Breaking Through Barriers to Present Hybrid Playmakers' Intensive in November

Theater Breaking Through Barriers will presentthe first  Hybrid  Playmakers’ Intensive:  Dramatis UbQTous,  featuring seven new, short plays created specifically for digital platforms. This year’s presentations will take place online as well as live and in person.
The Museum Of Jewish Heritage Presents WHEN ZAYDEH DANCED ON ELDRIDGE STREET

The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust will host a series of concert readings of When Zaydeh Danced On Eldridge Street from Thursday, November 17 to Sunday, 20, 2022.
Theater Breaking Through Barriers to Present 6th Virtual Playmakers' Intensive: VPI6: STAR CHANGERS

Theater Breaking Through Barriers has announced their 6th Virtual Playmakers’ Intensive — VPI6: STAR CHANGERS, fifteen new, original short plays created specifically for digital platforms. Each play will be presented live, twice each evening.  A talk-back with the artists will follow each performance.
New Perspectives Theatre Company Presents SAFE SPACE: THREE READINGS FROM THE NYC ARTISTS CORPS

New Perspectives Theatre Company (NPTC) is pleased to announce SAFE SPACE, readings of three new plays under the auspices of the NYC Artist Corps Grant program, hosted by NPTC's Women's Work Project.
Photo Flash: See Estelle Parsons, Stephanie Berry, Taylor Reynolds & More at the Virtual 2021 Theatre Women Awards

On Monday, June 7th the League of Professional Theatre Women presented the 2021 Theatre Women Awards, dedicated to promoting the visibility of the theatrical work of women artists, across all genres
Photo Flash: The Women In The Arts & Media Coalition Presents the 2020 Elsa Rael VintAge Award

The Women in the Arts & Media Coalition hosted a digital presentation of the 2020 VintAge Award, which celebrates the voice and vision of women in the arts and media as they age, on Saturday, November 14 via Zoom. 
LPTW To Present Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program

The International Committee of The League of Professional Theatre Women (Mary Hodges and Shellen Lubin, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been championing women in the professional theatre for over three decades, will present a week-long virtual presentation of the 2020-21 Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Program, co-presented with the Martin E. Segal Theatre Center via Howlround. 
Dame Rosemary Squire To Present Martha Richards With 2020 Women In the Arts & Media Coalition VintAge Award

The Women in the Arts & Media Coalition will host a digital presentation of the 2020 VintAge Award, which celebrates the voice and vision of women in the arts and media as they age.
Theater Breaking Through Barriers Presents Third Virtual Playmakers' Intensive: INUNION

Theater Breaking Through Barriers Artistic Director Nicholas Viselli today announced the Third Virtual Playmakers' Intensive: INUNION, scheduled for October 19th through November 1st, on YouTube nightly at 7:30pm or Facebook at 8:15pm, via ZOOM.
The League of Professional Theatre Women to Present 2020 Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award Virtually

The International Committee of The League of Professional Theatre Women (Mary Hodges and Shellen Lubin, Co-Presidents), an organization which has been championing women in the professional theatre for over three decades, will present a virtual presentation of the 2020 Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
League Of Professional Theatre Women Announces 2020-21 Season

The League of Professional Theatre Women, an organization which has been championing women in the professional theatre for over three decades, announces their 38th season of programming, events, and advocacy along with new officers and board members. All events this season will be presented online via Zoom, unless otherwise noted. 

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