about

shalanda sims

is an arts practitioner with a focus in writing, acting, singing, and directing, and has more than twenty-five years of experience in arts education and advocating for youth.  Her work centers around family, faith, social and environmental issues, womanhood, motherhood, sisterhood, and the human experience.  Shalanda is a happily married wife and proud mother to three adult children and two dogs.   She enjoys spending time with family and friends, impromptu trips to the beach, warm weather, visiting museums and historical places, playing kickball, or catching a summer baseball game at T-Mobile or Oracle Park.  She is a Portland native with deep family roots in Oregon.


Shalanda is a bold leader, a humble team player, and a practical visionary. She is known for her commitment to excellence and her love of community. She exemplifies"Black Joy" through her interactions, work ethic, and conversations – creating a sense of belonging for youth and adults who may otherwise feel isolated and unsupported.  Shalanda’s work includes advocacy, collaboration, and building partnerships. She creates artistic work that not only entertains but challenges, critiques, and celebrates history through culturally relevant storytelling and arts education. Her work as founder and executive director of World Stage Theatre offers space and opportunity for participants of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to imagine, explore, create, and grow.


Shalanda is a vocalist who has had the privilege and honor of touring the country and abroad singing on stages small and grand. Her voice has afforded her local opportunities to sing with the Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony, and Portland Center Stage to name a few.  As an actor, she has appeared in print ads, commercials, stage, and screenplays. 


She is the author of one children's book, The Hooded Quilt, and seven plays including Church Girls which received an honorable mention in the Writer's Digest playwriting category.  In 2022, her play Vanport was commissioned by the Vanport Mosaic Festival.  The play ran for three consecutive soldout weeks at Northwest Children's Theater, receiving both local and national coverage. 


Shalanda is a Fields Artist Fellowship finalist, member of the Actors Equity Association, Dramatists Guild, and American Guild of Musical Artists.  She has also served as a PTA president, on the Portland Actors Equity Association Committee, the PPS MAEP Steering Committee...


"Shalanda makes the invisible, visible. She amplifies the stories that don’t get told enough and through the arts, gives young people an opportunity to practice activism by using their talent to speak out about injustice and put their own stories on record.  She has incredible creative energies and a refreshing idealism."

*Headshot and resume available upon request