Faculty Bios

Peggy Shannon

Directing

Peggy Shannon has taught theatre at the University of California, Davis for the past four years.  Previously she taught at the University of Southern California (where she was the Head of Graduate Directing and the Artistic Director of the School of Theatre) and the University of Washington, among other universities. She has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of California and an M.F.A. in Directing from the University of Washington.

Professor Shannon is the Artistic director of the Sacramento Theatre Company. Her STC directing credits include Cinderella, Shedding The Tiger, Tea, Kokoro, We Are Family, On The Way To Love starring Patti Austin, The Gin Game, Three Tall Women, Picasso At The Lapin Agile, Burning Patience, Always…Patsy Cline, Having Our Say, A Christmas Carol, and Old Wicked Songs. Shannon has directed at countless professional theatres across the country. They include Atlanta's Alliance Theatre (where she was also an Associate Artist), the Seattle Repertory Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre (where she was also the Artistic Director), San Jose Repertory Theatre, Los Angeles Theatre Center, L.A. Theatre Works (where she also served as the Associate Producing Director), Mixed Blood Theatre, the New Jersey, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, California and Oregon Shakespearean Festivals, the Portland Repertory Theatre, and the Old Vic National Youth Theatre in London.

Professor Shannon trained as an actress in London , where she lived and worked professionally for six years. In 2000, Peggy launched a retreat for theatre students and theatre professionals in Greece . The course, titled “Playing to the Gods,” takes place each July. It is now offered through the University of California for 8 units of college credit. Along with various European theatre professionals, Peggy leads a series of Master Classes and seminars. She is currently at work on a book about her experiences with this course. Locally, Peggy serves on the Wells Fargo Community Advisory Board. She is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and British Actors Equity.