Michael is a Pittsburgh-based actor with more than 30 film and commercial credits, spanning independent features, shorts, and local commercial work.

On stage, he has taken on numerous lead roles across a wide range of productions, from comedies to dramas — including Greg in Silvia, George Hay in Moon Over Buffalo, Oscar and Felix in The Odd Couple, George in Alone Together, and Harry in The Sea Horse, among many others. His performance in Helping Out earned him Best Supporting Actor at the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

"Michael Shahen gives life to the somewhat clueless, amiable, sweet, confused [Greg]. His affection for and devotion to Sylvia is believable... Shahen makes [Greg] likable even when he appears to be somewhat ridiculous."
— Lonnie the Theater Lady, Burgh Vivant, on Silvia

"Ron (hilariously portrayed by Michael Shahen)... Shahen's Ron is a down-on-his-luck lunatic reeling from his broken romantic relationships. When he returns in act two, the laughs never stop while he's on the stage."
— Michael Buzzelli, Patch, on Stanton's Garage

"Michael Shahen's Frank is the exact irascible old coot he needs to be, and manages to score a few yuks himself."
— Ted Hoover, Pittsburgh City Paper, on Weekend Comedy

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema Production (Magna Cum Laude) from Point Park University — training that gives him a filmmaker's eye for character and story, both in front of the camera and behind it.