Helen J. Shen (born 28 January 2000) is an American musical theater actress known for originating the leading role of Claire in ''

Maybe Happy Ending ''Maybe Happy Ending'' () is a South Korean musical with lyrics written by Hue Park, music composed by Will Aronson, and book written by both Park and Aronson. The musical, which is performed without intermission, follows two life-like helper-b ...

'' on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

Early life and education

Shen was born and raised in the Basking Ridge section of

Bernards Township, New Jersey Bernards Township () is a Township (New Jersey), township in Somerset County, New Jersey, Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 27,830, an increase of 1,178 (+4.4%) f ...

to Chinese immigrant parents from

Shanghai Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...

. Shen graduated from

Ridge High School Ridge High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from Bernards Township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as the lone secondary school o ...

in 2018. In her childhood, she studied piano, but pivoted to musical theatre performance upon studying at

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

, where she received the Earl V. Moore Award.

Career

In 2023, Shen made her professional stage debut as JJ in the world premiere of musical ''The Lonely Few'' at

Geffen Playhouse The Geffen Playhouse is a not-for-profit theater company founded in Los Angeles, California by Gilbert Cates in 1995. It produces plays in two theaters in Geffen Playhouse, which is owned by University of California Los Angeles. The Playhous ...

in Los Angeles, California. She then appeared

off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

Playwrights Horizons Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit American Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work. ...

's world premiere of the musical ''Teeth'' as Promise Keeper Girl Keke; she left the role later that year reprise her role as JJ in

MCC Theater MCC Theater (Manhattan Class Company) is an off-Broadway theater company located in New York City. The theater was founded in 1986 by artistic directors Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler. Blake West joined the company in 2006 ...

's 2024 New York debut of ''The Lonely Few.'' In November 2024, Shen originated the leading female role of Claire in the Broadway production of the musical ''

'', which premiered in Korea in 2016. For her performance in the role, she was nominated for the 2025

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical The Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements in theatre across collective Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City. F ...

Filmography

Films

Stage

Personal life

Shen has been dating fellow Broadway actor

Andrew Barth Feldman Andrew Barth Feldman (born May 7, 2002) is an American actor and singer. He began his acting career in musical theater by participating in local productions as a child. Feldman won a Jimmy Award for his high school's production of the musical ''C ...

since 2021.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shen, Helen J 2000 births 21st-century American actresses 21st-century American singers American actresses of Chinese descent American non-binary actors American musical theatre actresses American stage actresses Actresses from New Jersey Living people Non-binary actors People from Bernards Township, New Jersey Ridge High School alumni Theatre World Award winners University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance alumni