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Producing Artistic Director
As Producing Artistic Director and Literary Manager at Theatre NOVA in Ann Arbor, Shelby champions bold new plays and the artists who create them. She has directed Death of a Driver and In Search of the Mothman. She served as lead producer on Kayak, The Year Without a Panto Claus, Jorge Luis Borges Gives a Lecture on Anatomy, and the Michigan Playwrights Festival (2024, 2025, 2026).
She created Theatre NOVA’s New Play Development Residency, Director Mixer, and the NOVA Workshop Series. She represents Theatre NOVA within the National New Play Network and has read for the NNPN Showcase.
Shelby has helped secure over $90,000 in grant funding while collaborating on artistic direction, season programming, organizational strategy, creative staffing, artist support initiatives, and community engagement in a regional theatre.
Award-Winning Producer
Shelby produced “Sassafras and the Captain” for NYC’s Fresh Fruit Festival, which was awarded “Outstanding Production of 2022.” She recruited and managed a 17-member creative team, secured funding for free COVID-19 testing, raised $5,750, arranged free rehearsal space in downtown Manhattan.
Educator
Shelby was the Director of Theatre at Patrick Henry Middle School from 2017-2023, where she produced and directed 12 plays and musicals with the mission to engage, enlighten, and empower students through theatre. She taught workshops across southeast Michigan for students elementary age to adult at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, Engage at Eastern Michigan University, Theatre Nova/Ann Arbor Rec and Ed, the City of Farmington Hills, and the Woodhaven Recreation Department.
Actor
Shelby has acted for the University of Michigan's CRLT Players and PEAR Office, and the Michigan Shakespeare Festival Interstate Touring Company. She voices London and Monica in the award-winning podcast, The Call of the Void.
