LA mom Shannon Noel is no stranger to Expressing Motherhood. We’ve been lucky enough to have had her talent as part of our show for years now. Shannon was also the friend who started the ExMo Challenge with me over wine and food in July. She’s awesome and we are delighted to have her in our Chicago show.
This is me and boys – we love cowboy boots.
Where do you live, how many kids do you have, ages?
I live in Silverlake, an awesome little neighborhood in the hills not far from downtown Los Angeles. I have a 3 year old son named Riley and a 4 year old son named Booker.
How are you creative post children? How has it changed since pre-baby?
Pre-babies I performed sketch comedy, improv and stand up all over Los Angeles. Most of my shows didn’t even begin until 9 or 10pm at the earliest. And then there was a lot of hanging out afterwards until the very wee hours of the morning. It was a lot of fun but these days if my boys are asleep (which is rare) I like to be asleep as well. I find that writing on my own time is much more conducive to my working mom schedule. When Stacie and I plan ourI’m Not From Here But My Kids Are shows we always consider our audience – mostly moms – and try to have them out the door no later than 10!
This is my gang! This picture makes me so happy. We have a lot of fun.
When do you find time to create?
My commute to work is an hour each way. I do a lot of creating while on this drive. You can see me pulled over to the side with my notebook and pen on any given morning. If by some miracle my boys go to sleep before 9pm, I try to write until I just can’t keep my eyes open anymore.
A recent photo of Shannon with her friend Amy Levinson. Both have done and/or are doing the ExMoChallenge.
How did you hear about ExMo?
I got an e-mail from a former writing teacher, Amy Friedman. She had heard about the show and knew that I was focusing my efforts on “writing what you know” ie; breast pumps and pacis – so thought it would be a good fit for me. She was right! It has been a life changer for me. I really want to thank her for that first e-mail!
Do you have a background in acting/writing?
Yes. I have been performing and writing in some capacity since I was 8 years old, when I played the role of Hildegard Hamcocker, a toothless, singing, town flirt in the school play. When I heard my brother, who never laughs at anything, laugh at something I said on stage, I was hooked. I love the theater. Honestly, I cannot imagine my life without it. I’m still singing but luckily I still have my teeth.
What creative projects are you up to?
I’m doing a lot of work on my blog, www.lullabiesformommy.com. I really love this outlet and want to get more active on my site. I’ve been doing it for 4 years but am still very much a beginning blogger. Stacie Burrows and I are having a blast writing songs for our next I’m Not From Here installment. We have so much fun creating together it’s ridiculous. She really is my comedy soul mate and I cannot imagine my life without her. She also has (energetic) 2 boys and is my mommy mentor! We are both Southern too and we like our cowboy boots and mason jars – I’m will be forever grateful to ExMo for introducing me to one of my best friends. I also love to create and write with Lindsay for her Fix the Toaster Blog. Her passion for road safety is contagious and I am so happy to be a part of her movement. I’m a contributor on Felicity Huffman’s WhattheFlicka.com as well. My goal for this next year is to write more!
This is a benefit of my day job at the Geffen Playhouse. Who doesn’t love this guy?
My boys and Stacie’s boys enjoying a feast during a camping trip we took together last summer!
These are my superheroes!
Another benefit of my day job. I was the assistant to the Producer of this Oscar show. He’s one of my faves! Super fun!
