SHANA WRIDE
Actor | Director | Educator
"An accomplished San Diego actor-director and a veteran of many demanding roles"
-San Diego Union-Tribune
"Wride is one of the lucky few to possess the comedy gene… her delivery is laugh-out-loud hilarious"
-L.A. Times/Daily Pilot
“A local favorite... She’s first-rate… Every light, spontaneous move feels just right.”
-San Diego Reader
ABOUT SHANA
Shana Wride is a San Diego based actor and director who has worked with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, Diversionary Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, The San Diego Symphony, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Intrepid Theatre, Moxie Theatre, Compass Theatre, The Colony Theatre, Open Fist Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Gaslamp Quarter Theatre, and Sledgehammer Theatre.
As an educator, she is currently on faculty as an acting instructor and director at Grossmont College and Southwestern College. She is also a private actor coach for those looking for professional and college audition preparation. Previously, she worked as Program Coordinator for The Old Globe/University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Acting program, regarded as one of the top graduate programs in the nation.
She is a two-time recipient of the San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award, first for her solo performance in 2.5 Minute Ride at Diversionary Theatre, and later for her performance as Amanda in Cygnet Theatre’s Private Lives. She holds a master’s degree in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University.
While living in Los Angeles, she co-hosted the nationally syndicated radio show, “Women Aloud” with actor/comedienne Mo Gaffney.
NEWS
COMING SOON:
Sonia in
VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE
Cygnet Theatre
October 8 – November 2, 2025
By Christopher Durang
Directed by Anthony Methvin
RECENT WORK:
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
North Coast Repertory Theatre
By Heidi Schreck
Directed by Shana Wride
February 26 - March 30, 2025
REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
“Shana Wride gives a magnificent performance… She’s captivating, riveting, drawing us in, then pulling back, providing a case study in subtle shading. The performance covers a wide range of emotions and tones — from loving to resentful, angry to tearful, joyful and funny to incredulous and uncomprehending”
Times of San Diego review for 2.5 Minute Ride at Diversionary Theatre
"Wride's vulnerable and more self-deprecating Michael is a good foil, she has lots of questions in need of some answers... Together (with co-star Terry Burrell)...they deliver a very entertaining show, that also speaks to the similarities and the stark differences in these two women's lives"
BroadwayWorld.com review for Shutter Sisters at The Old Globe
"...played with endearing vulnerability and in-the-moment responsiveness..."
San Diego Union-Tribune review for Shutter Sisters at The Old Globe
"Wride is fun as the more cynical but loving Aunt Terri, who takes her coffee with a hefty dose of Irish liquor. She also has a delightful impish glee while she cleverly spars with the priest (also Dugan) in a truly standout confrontation scene.
BroadwayWorld.com review for Incident at our Lady of Perpetual Help at North Coast Repertory Theatre
"Director Shana Wride has crafted a stylish, thrilling production with a strong ensemble of six actors.”
-San Diego Union-Tribune review of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
"A beautifully attuned, funny and lay-it-all-on-the-stage performance... An accomplished San Diego actor-director and a veteran of many demanding roles"
San Diego Union-Tribune review for 2.5 Minute Ride at Diversionary Theatre
“A riveting and just about pitch-perfect production... Director Shana Wride and her cast do many things right in this demanding piece”San Diego Union-Tribune review of The Whale (Shana Wride as Director)
"Wride is one of the lucky few to possess the comedy gene...her delivery is laugh-out-loud hilarious"
L.A. Times review of Indoor/Outdoor at the Colony Theatre
"What a wonderful treat during this artistically parched summer...a refreshing and clever play made more, well, 'purrrrfect' by a charming quartet of actors"
Backstage.com review of Indoor/Outdoor at the Colony Theatre
"Directed by Shana Wride, the play has a good pace and seamlessly transitions from comedy to tragedy and back again with intelligence. It allows this play structure to feel like a conversation between those on stage and the audience.
BroadwayWorld.com review for What the Constitution Means to Me at North Coast Repertory Theatre
"(Shana Wride) steals the show with her arch sensibilities, priceless facial expressions and body language"
North County Times review of Private Lives at Cygnet
“Wride glides through this carnival of heartache and horrid behavior with a fixed smile and a crisp intuition for Coward’s quintessentially British banter”
San Diego Union-Tribune review of Private Lives at Cygnet
"A local favorite... She’s first-rate as the stylish, mercurial free spirit. Every light, spontaneous move feels just right."
San Diego Reader review of Private Lives at Cygnet
"How fortunate…for British playwright Caryl Churchill's masterpiece to find its Southern California premiere with such an eminently capable, careful ensemble... Shana Wride calmly and pleasantly brings to life Shirley, the most solid and grounded of the group, who serves as a kind of ballast for this otherwise turbulent world."
Backstage.com review of Fen at the Open Fist Theatre
"Superb production... beautifully, sensitively directed by Shana Wride"
PatLauner.com review of The Whale (Shana Wride as Director)
PRODUCTION GALLERY
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RADIO DEMO
Demo from Shana Wride's nationally syndicated radio show,
“Women Aloud” co-hosted with actor/comedienne Mo Gaffney.
INTERVIEW
Interview with Shana Wride, director of THE WHALE at Cygnet Theatre.
