Shannon Rayne leads an active double life in Winnipeg. By day, she works as a health researcher and is active in women's health policy advocacy issues. At night, she can be found writing or performing her original poems, spoken word pieces and theatrically driven prose and poetry. Shannon has been very involved in Winnipeg's lively spoken word and slam poetry scenes. She has performed in a variety of events that showcase spoken word and performance poetry; Shannon frequently performs her work at open-mic and spoken word events. Shannon was the co-organizer and founder of Words Performed, an event that encouraged spoken word artists to add performance elements to their work. Shannon has recently returned from an eye-opening performance experience in Toronto: she participated in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word as part of the Winnipeg Slam Poetry team. Shannon loves the freedom and collaboration that performing with the Young Lungs Dance Exchange brings her.