The intriguing biography of Shaw, a woman whose heritage is deeply rooted in the steel industry and the pulpit, with the only connection to the world of theater being her distant relative, Sir Henry Irving. However, it was Irving's wife who posed a question that would change the course of Shaw's life forever, asking if she would be foolish enough to dedicate her life to the theater, a query that Irving himself answered by walking out the door, never to return. This turning point in Shaw's life can be attributed to the principles of destiny, faith, and courage that have guided her ever since.
Following her student days in Switzerland and at the University of London, Shaw returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, where she initially intended to pursue a career in teaching. However, this path did not ultimately unfold as planned, and instead, she found herself in New York City, where she began to explore the world of commercials. Her journey continued with a summer at the infamous LCT, where she was able to express herself freely through her art.
Shaw's early career in Off-Broadway productions included the critically acclaimed "Death of a Miner," which drew upon her coal mining roots, and "Never Say Die," which introduced her to her future husband, Bill Smitrovich. Over the course of the past thirty years, Shaw has rekindled her passion for acting, finding joy and success in her roles as a crone, matriarch, and queen, and she welcomes the challenges that come with age.
