Sonal Shah has been a proud teacher and coach at JRS for 10 years. Originally from Chicago, she was one of the first Indian-American women to appear in a major role on a network comedy (Scrubs). Named a “scene-stealer” in Netflix’s Definition Please, other notable acting credits include The PTA (Series Regular), Superstore, New Girl, Young Sheldon, Better Things, The High Note, Mira Royal Detective, The Powerpuff Girls, and, in theatre, Untitled Baby Play, for which she received the Performance of The Year Scenie Award. She currently stars in the critically acclaimed comedy Four Samosas on AMC+. The accomplished, spirited, funny-with-heart actress is an NBC Diversity Showcase alum, a member of the lauded IAMA Theatre Company, and has a development deal with Disney+. She co-hosted the APAICS Gala in DC attended by President Obama. A highly trained versatile professional, Sonal most recently worked as the onset acting coach for the star of the upcoming series Clean Slate on Amazon Freevee. She also teaches and directs “Showcase” at the Art of Acting Professional Conservatory. After earning her BAS in Theatre from Loyola University in Chicago, she continued her acting education with the Moscow Art Theatre School at Harvard University, UCB, The Groundlings, Improv Olympic, and of course, JRS.
Sonal LOVES actors and desires to be a part of the revolution in creating the next generation of artists because it’s so important, especially considering the current state of the industry and world. We need actors to be able to bare their soul and tell the truth within the given circumstances of the stories they are telling. Sonal believes representation matters and everyone has a story to tell.
