Schlanger grew up in a Jewish family in Thornhill, Ontario. She is a graduate of Ryerson University's program in radio and television arts. Prior to joining the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Schlanger was an actress, whose credits included the supporting role of Madison in Strange Days at Blake Holsey High, guest roles in System Crash and Degrassi: The Next Generation, and musical theatre roles in Mirvish Productions' Mamma Mia, the original Canadian company of Queen's We Will Rock You and the first national U