Did you see that another Basking Ridge resident hit the silver screen, sharing the screen with Basking Ridge’s Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada 2? Meet Basking Ridge’s HelenJ. Shen.
On the Devil Wears Prada 2 set, Shen and Hathaway bonded over their experiences at the prestigious youth theater program at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, where they both trained as teens (though at different times). Between takes, they would sing the Paper Mill Playhouse song as they gabbed about their experiences and spoke fondly of their former teacher Mickey McNany, who passed away several years ago.
Early Years in Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Helen J. Shen was born on January 28, 2000, and raised in the Hills (Liberty Corner) section of Bernards Township to parents who immigrated from Shanghai, China. Growing up in Somerset County, Shen developed an early passion for music, art, and theater. She began studying piano at age 5 and by age 8 was competing in international piano competitions, a demanding discipline she continued through high school.
Shen attended Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, graduating in 2018. During her youth, she also trained locally at Annie’s Playhouse in Far Hills and the renowned Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, where she sharpened her stage and musical theater skills. Reports from Broadway circles noted that she blossomed during her middle school theater years before deciding to pursue acting professionally.
The young musician began studying piano at the age of 5 with Lana Ivanov of Bridgewater, who, with her mother, Yelena Ivanov, co-founded the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey (YPCNJ), which promotes music and piano education for young artists. Helen would go on to spend five years at Mt. Prospect Elementary School in the hills, three years at William Annin Middle school, and then four years at Ridge High School.
Helen at age 12, during a piano recital.
At Ridge High School, one of Helen’s final high school performances included songs from Cabaret. It’s so great we have a video to share. Ridge High’s 2018 “Cabaret” was a student showcase/revue-style performance where students performed individual songs and scenes. Helen J. Shen performed the song “Cabaret” as a featured senior vocalist. Her “role” was essentially herself as a featured performer, not Sally Bowles or any other character from the original musical “Cabaret.”
Papermill Playhouse
Several students from the Somerset Hills area were selected for the Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory for 2017 by directors at the Paper Mill Playhouse of Millburn. Among the students participating were Helen Shen, Libby Schmidtt, Chance Friedman, and Samantha Rascio of Basking Ridge, Maeve Touhey of Gladstone, Nicole Streger of Peapack, and Elizabeth LeClerc of Martinsville.
Members who earned coveted spots were directed and choreographed by Paper Mill Playhouse’s professional artistic staff in a fully produced, original concert on the Paper Mill main stage titled “New Voices of 2017: Everyone Loves an Underdog!’’
On to College
After high school, Shen attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater. While she originally appeared destined for a career as a concert pianist, college became the turning point where she shifted her focus fully toward theater performance. At Michigan, she received the prestigious Earl V. Moore Award for musical achievement.
She is known as “Shel” by her friends and family, a nickname that started in college when she shared a dorm with another person named Helen. (To differentiate herself from her roommate, she jokingly started going by “Shelen Hen”.)
Helen’s earliest known stage appearances included productions of “Mamma Mia!” and regional theater work before making her professional debut in 2022 in “Man of God” at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She quickly gained recognition through performances in “The Lonely Few,” “Teeth,” and finally the Broadway musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” where she originated the role of Claire and earned major award nominations.
Helen’s Jump to Feature Films
In 2026, Shen moved into mainstream film with her first major movie role in The Devil Wears Prada 2, appearing alongside Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. Her rise from a young performer in Basking Ridge to recognition on Broadway and in Hollywood has made her one of New Jersey’s newest entertainment figures.
Helen Shen’s Acting Career Summary
January 28, 2000
• Born at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, and raised in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Father Liu Yu and mother Shen Haiyan
2001 – November 1, moved to Patriot Hill Drive, Bernards Township, New Jersey
2005
Age: 5
• Took her first piano lessons. She played Gretel when she was five years old.
2008 to 2012
Age: 7 to 12
• Attended Mt. Prospect Elementary School
2012 to 2014
Age: 12 to 14
• Attended William Annin Middle School
2014 to 2018
Age: 14 to 18
• Attended Ridge High School.
• Became active in school theater and vocal performance.
• Appeared in the school production of Cabaret, one of her notable early stage performances.
• Developed a reputation locally for strong singing and acting ability.
2018
Age: 18
• Graduated from Ridge High School.
• Entered the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance to study musical theater.
2019
Age: 19
• Appeared in Mamma Mia! as Lisa at Connecticut Repertory Theatre.
• Appeared in Sunset Boulevard as Betty Schaefer.
• These productions marked some of her earliest professional theater credits.
2020
Age: 20
• Continued conservatory training and professional theater development during the pandemic period.
2021
Age: 21
• Expanded professional auditions, workshops, and New York theater connections.
2022
Age: 22
• Cast in Man of God as Kyung Hwa.
• Graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre.
• Began gaining broader industry recognition.
2023
Age: 23
• Appeared in The Lonely Few as JJ.
• Continued establishing herself in contemporary musical theater.
2024
Age: 24
• Cast in Teeth as Keke.
• Returned in the Off Broadway production of The Lonely Few as JJ.
• Achieved breakout Broadway success starring as Claire in Maybe Happy Ending.
• Received national recognition from Broadway audiences and theater media.
2025
Age: 25
• Announced in the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2 as Jin Chao.
• Transitioned from rising Broadway talent into mainstream film exposure.
Have a Story to Share?
Please, if you worked or were friends with Helen, post a comment below. We’re also still looking for any “early years” programs showcasing Helen and her work.
