From her roots in Kailua-Kona to the smoky stages of New York City, Shannon's path has always been lit by art, intimacy, and defiance. In Soulmate—a raw and spellbinding off-Broadway play she doesn’t just act—she co-writes, composes, and conjures. Her performance as Cyrene blurs the line between character and confessional, fusing sensuality with spirituality and truth with theater. In this interview, she opens up about building her world from the ground up—through kink, music, and the firelight of her own unapologetic voice.
I am still surprised by the entire experience to be honest. It feels like I'm putting my foot forward and stepping into my true self more and more. I am so grateful to be receiving the support from my community as well as my friends and family. The journey towards off-Broadway has been so insightful and a huge learning experience. For example, I was able to quickly write the lyrics and musical melodies for our songs. Finding and building a team of people you can trust to build a production with has been very rewarding.
We started working on the music together for Soulmate in a very casual jam session. Doug played some different chords and we recorded voice memos of the ones I liked best. I love that I got to be part of every process of the making of the music and I would listen to the songs and hum over them while driving and taking a bath. Living and breathing through the play score helped me internalize the message and story I wanted to tell through songs.
The show Soulmate brings elements from my past work and was written for me to bring that to my character Cyrene.
I have never feared sharing a light on my experiences. The story of Soulmate encompasses many of mine and Doug's personal experiences with modern dating and apps.
Throughout my childhood, I had always felt that I didn't fit in. I believe that most of my life, I dared to follow my path and listen to my heart when it came to my dreams despite what people might think. The character Cyrene is shaped by my unapologetic personality.
The wildfires in LA were truly heartbreaking. Soulmate became a safe haven for the community as we persevered to bring forward the story of the show. We're excited to bring Soulmate to NYC with the commitment of our lovely cast.
The character I play in Soulmate, Cyrene, is a very dominant female role and is modelled after my personality traits. I believe that sharing my vulnerability through the story of Soulmate is a leading example to stay true to your heart. Soulmate truly honors the power of the higher feminine.
I am interested in collaborating most with people who share a similar vision to provide resources to help women or help the dynamics in relationships. My art which includes modeling, dancing, and now acting stays true to my authentic self and I have hopes to empower anyone around me to be fearless with their message and using art as a medium to express their voice.
I believe that Cyrene is a true representation to many parts of me. I'm excited for the audience to see that side of me as well.
The through-line that keeps me grounded through my shifting and changing life is that life is so short, every moment is fleeting. Don't live life with regrets, or what if's. If you find that you like something, explore it. Indulge it. Release it. Be grateful for everything you have and love hard because nothing lasts forever.
