Biography
The oldest of four girls. Growing up in the Texas panhandle, Shondale spent lots of time working on cars, playing sports, branding cattle, and listening to music. She was a cheerleader and always on the go. She loved being in front of people and participated in prose, poetry and duet acting as part of the high school speech team but never saw herself as an actress. "I dreamed about being a famous singer and dancer when I was little, but we didn't have money for lessons".
Shondale attended West Texas State University, majoring in business administration with an emphasis in accounting, minoring in English. After graduation she moved to California, working in public accounting in one of the Big 4 firms.
Bored with accounting, Shondale started acting and modeling training, earning an honorable mention in both runway modeling and dramatic acting at IMTA. However, newly engaged, she put her career change on hold to raise a family and work in hospital administration and as turn-around consultant.
During 2003, Shondale took a brief retirement from business and she volunteered to teach English to kids in grades 1-6 in Zhangjiagang, China. She spent 6 months living in China with her daughter, Jaz Kemp. And, in 2005, she spent a year designing and building a 'castle' home. And, she started Taekwondo lessons!! This break from working in an office, reminded Shondale that she loved to learn new things, create and to share her creativity. So, while supporting the budding talents of her daughter, she became involved in community theater and took on both lead and supporting roles, re-viving the thought of a career change from some 20 years earlier.
Today, Shondale enjoys working on set, being on stage, singing, directing, or anything else involving the arts. She's a member of Inner Circle Theater, The Avery Schreiber Playhouse, and the LA Comedy Connection.
