Shannon McDonough

Growing up in the Toronto area, Shannon was bitten by the show biz bug in kindergarten when she had to perform a rain dance wearing a medicine man mask for the Grade 4 class next door - unfortunately there were no eyes cut out of the mask and she did a face plant in the sandbox…but that wasn't going to stop her - she was hooked! Shannon continued in theatre and trained with the fabled Second City comedy troupe before branching out into television, film and voice work. Shannon is a performer, writer, and producer who devotes herself to helping others see and appreciate the funnier side of life.

Shannon's writing debut, the dark comedy "Ring," about working in a phone sex office, met with critical acclaim: "The simple set, lighting and minimal music mean that the play relies on its strong dialogue for effect. The performances in this ensemble cast are gutsy. 'Ring' even manages to give the finger to both the politically correct and the Progressively Conservative at the same time." (eye Weekly)

Her other plays, "Talking To Mom in Colour" and "Southern Belle" were audience favorites at The New Ideas Festival at Toronto's Alumnae Theatre. Shannon made her directorial debut with and acted the lead role in "Every Night's Hot At The Va Va Voom," a brash and sassy musical about lesbian love in a 1940's New Jersey burlesque house. "Co-written with David Jagger, McDonough's 'Va Va Voom!' scores high on skin, sass and spunk. Forget little girls - thank heaven for big, beautiful women!" (eye Weekly)

Shannon has also been seen on stage in "Fruit Cocktail", "Jonesing," "Talking to Mom in Colour," "Tony 'n Tina's Wedding," and recently, "Criminal Hearts." "McDonough...is alternately tough, sympathetic, spirited and demanding. She's also good near the play's end, at showing us the distrustful Bo's own pain and numbed anger." (Now Magazine)

She's done countless radio & television commercials from "Lava Cakes" to "Meow Mix," and it's her sultry voice now announcing the latest erotic films on Bell Expressvu's "Venus Channel". Shannon's film credits include "Mat Leave" and "Detour" and she's a familiar face to the LGBT people across Canada as one of OUTtv's popular "Gay Jays," hosting events and touring with "Bump!"

"Host Shannon McDonough is a real find, one of those rare people who actually looks happy on camera." (Capital Xtra)

For more about Shannon, visit www.shannonmcdonough.net.