Meet Shannon Hamm | Actor | Producer | Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Hamm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, why did you pursue a creative career?
I don’t know that I ever consciously chose a creative career. It always felt like the thing I was meant to do.

My parents enrolled me in dance classes when I was three years old, and I still remember the excitement of stepping onto a stage for the first time. I didn’t know what acting was yet, and I certainly didn’t know where that path would lead, but I knew I loved performing. There was something about connecting with an audience that completely lit me up, even as a little kid.

As I got older, that love of performing expanded. I became deeply involved in dance, musical theatre, color guard, and eventually marched with a Drum and Bugle Corps that toured across the United States. Looking back, I think that was my first real introduction to acting. I remember people commenting on my stage presence and the way I committed to the characters and themes of our performances, even through something as simple as a facial expression. I loved finding ways to tell a story without saying a word.

It wasn’t until I moved to New York City to study Musical Theatre at AMDA that I truly fell in love with acting. I had teachers who challenged me in ways I wasn’t expecting, but they also helped me recognize something that had always come naturally to me. I had an ability to connect with emotions that weren’t my own and genuinely ask, “What if this were me?”

That curiosity eventually led me to study Meisner at the Maggie Flanigan Studio, where I was introduced to Sanford Meisner’s philosophy of “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” Everything clicked. Acting stopped being about pretending and became about listening, connecting, and experiencing truthful human moments. From that point on, I wasn’t just interested in performing. I became fascinated by storytelling and the way it allows us to experience life through someone else’s perspective.

As my career evolved, I realized that if I waited for someone else to create opportunities for me, I might spend more time waiting than creating. That’s what led me into producing. It wasn’t because I wanted to leave acting behind. It was because I wanted to help tell stories that mattered while continuing to pursue the work I love in front of the camera.

Today, whether I’m acting, producing, or developing my own projects like *Burnout*, my purpose remains the same. I want to tell honest, human stories that invite people to see themselves, and each other, a little differently. If someone walks away feeling more connected, more understood, or with a new perspective they didn’t have before, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: stories have the power to shift perspective. Whether I’m stepping into a character, producing a film, or developing an original series, my goal is always the same. I want to create work that sparks conversation, evokes emotion, and reminds us of our shared humanity.

What sets me apart is that I’ve never wanted to wait for permission to create. Acting has always been my first love, but I realized that if I only waited for opportunities to come my way, I’d be limiting the stories I could help bring to life. Producing became a natural extension of that mindset. It wasn’t about changing careers. It was about expanding the ways I could contribute to meaningful storytelling.

The journey certainly hasn’t been easy. Like so many artists, I’ve experienced rejection, uncertainty, financial challenges, and moments where I questioned whether I was on the right path. But every obstacle has taught me something valuable. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs. It’s about continuing to move forward while giving yourself permission to rest, grow, and trust that every season is shaping you into the artist and person you’re becoming.

I’m incredibly proud of the momentum that’s been building. Booking a national State Farm commercial that aired during the Olympics was a milestone I’ll never forget. I recently produced an independent short film alongside a Sundance director, and I’m currently shopping my original television pilot, *Burnout*, for a full series order. Those experiences have reinforced something I’ve come to believe wholeheartedly: creating your own opportunities can be just as powerful as being given one.

More than anything, I want people to know that I care deeply about people. I believe kindness, curiosity, and authenticity are creative superpowers. I want to tell stories that challenge assumptions, encourage empathy, and invite audiences to see the world through someone else’s eyes. If a performance or a project leaves someone feeling a little more understood or inspires them to look at their own life differently, then I know I’ve done my job.

At the end of the day, I hope my career is remembered not just for the work I created, but for the way I made people feel along the way. I want to be known as someone who led with heart, lifted others up, and used storytelling to leave the world a little more connected than I found it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The funny thing is, all of my best friends either live in New York or have visited enough times that we’ve already checked off most of the “must see” attractions. At this point, it’s less about sightseeing and more about sharing the places that have become part of my life.

One of the newest additions to that list is the New York Botanical Garden. Some dear friends introduced me to it this past spring, and even though I’ve only been twice, each visit has felt magical. There’s something almost otherworldly about walking through acres of gardens while knowing you’re still in the middle of New York City. Every time I leave, I feel inspired, recharged, and reminded of how important it is to slow down and notice the beauty around us.

I’d definitely spend time walking through the Upper West Side, where I went to school. That neighborhood will always feel like a second home to me because it’s where my dream of becoming an actor really started to take shape. I love wandering through Central Park, discovering little neighborhood restaurants, grabbing coffee, and simply walking without a destination. There’s something about that part of the city that feels both inspiring and comforting at the same time.

Of course, we’d have to see a Broadway show or another live performance. Theater is one of the things that makes New York unlike anywhere else in the world. I never get tired of sitting in an audience and watching artists pour their hearts into telling a story. Whether it’s a Broadway production, a concert, or another live event, there’s an energy here that’s impossible to replicate.

For food, we’d absolutely make our way to Bono Trattoria in Washington Heights. It’s one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants with incredible Italian food and an atmosphere that instantly feels like home. We’d also have breakfast at WaHi Diner because every city needs a great neighborhood diner, and this one never disappoints.

More than anything, though, I think the best part of New York isn’t a specific place. It’s the people you experience it with. Some of my favorite memories have come from wandering a neighborhood without a plan, stumbling into a great conversation, discovering a new restaurant or coffee shop, or simply spending hours catching up over a meal. New York has taught me that sometimes the most meaningful experiences aren’t the ones you schedule. They’re the ones you leave room for.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
One of the greatest lessons my career has taught me is that no one builds a meaningful life alone. Every opportunity I’ve had has been shaped by people who believed in me, challenged me, encouraged me, and reminded me who I was when I forgot. This journey has never been mine alone.

First and foremost, I have to thank my husband, Cory. We’ve been together since we were teenagers, and he’s been my biggest supporter through every chapter of my life. He’s celebrated every win, stood beside me through every setback, and has an incredible way of reminding me who I am whenever self-doubt starts to creep in. Having someone who believes in your dreams as deeply as you do is one of life’s greatest gifts, and I never take that for granted.

I also owe so much to my parents. They raised me with unconditional love, kindness, and the confidence to pursue a path that wasn’t always conventional. They never tried to tell me who I should become. Instead, they gave me the freedom to discover that for myself while loving and supporting me every step of the way.

Finally, I want to recognize the incredible community of friends, mentors, and fellow artists I’ve been fortunate enough to find. They’ve become my chosen family. They’ve celebrated with me, picked me up when I needed it most, challenged me to grow, and reminded me that none of us are meant to do this alone.

One of the things I value most in life is choosing quality over quantity when it comes to the people I surround myself with. I’ve learned to invest in relationships with people who genuinely celebrate one another’s wins, who show up when it matters, and who believe there’s enough room for all of us to succeed. I think we spend far too much time comparing ourselves or competing with one another, when the real magic happens when we choose collaboration over competition and encouragement over jealousy.

The people in my life inspire me to be a better artist, a better friend, and a better human being. If there’s any secret to my journey so far, it’s that I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by people who lead with kindness, generosity, authenticity, and heart. I hope I’ve been able to do the same for them.

Website: https://www.shannonhamm.com

Instagram: @shanthehamm

Image Credits
Jessica Osber Photography, Jeffrey Mosier Photography, Cory Esper, Spite (Film), Burnout (Pilot)