Meet Shauna Earp-Ballinger | Casting Director and Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shauna Earp-Ballinger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shauna, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Freedom Lies in Being Bold: How Risk-Taking Built the Life I Love (and the Career I Never Planned)
They say life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. For me, it started with three suitcases, $500, and the phone number of a total stranger.

Back in 1992, I moved to New York City — a place I’d never even visited — with nothing but a gut feeling and a very questionable sense of direction. I landed in the city with wide eyes, big dreams, and absolutely no backup plan. And honestly? That leap of faith set the tone for the rest of my life.

Risk-taking isn’t just something I’ve done; it’s how I operate. Some people build five-year plans. I jump and build the parachute on the way down.

Leaping Into the Unknown — Over and Over Again
After a couple years in NYC, I found myself in a different kind of trap — one harder to escape than any tiny apartment with six roommates and no AC. I spent 8 years in an abusive and controlling relationship that slowly chipped away at who I was. Walking away wasn’t just a breakup. It was a rebellion. A rescue mission. A restart.

And then, just when I thought I’d sworn off anything involving risk or romance, I fell in love — long-distance. Because clearly, I wasn’t done leaping yet.

Next thing I knew, I was packing up again, this time heading to Denver, Colorado — another city I’d never set foot in. New town, new love, new life chapter. Same fearless (some might say stubborn) approach to trusting my gut over the odds.

The Artistic Leaps That Changed Everything
Throughout all these big life moves, I kept returning to one truth: my art is my anchor. Creativity wasn’t just an outlet — it was a compass.

There were so many moments where I could have played it safe:

Taking on a “real job” instead of launching that weird, wonderful creative idea
Keeping my art in the background instead of center stage
Saying no to collaborations that scared me (and excited me) in equal measure
But I said yes. I showed up. I cracked jokes when I was terrified. I leaned into connection — into humor — into the messy, unpredictable world of making things and putting them out into the universe.

And the results? Not always smooth. Not always profitable. But always worth it.

Every time I trusted my creative voice — even when it quivered — something opened up: a new opportunity, a surprising connection, a clearer sense of purpose.

A Career Built on Faith, Not Formulas
I didn’t follow a traditional path. I didn’t have a roadmap. I had instincts. Curiosity. And a slightly unreasonable belief that things would work out if I kept showing up authentically.

And they did. Not perfectly, but beautifully.

The gigs, the clients, the projects, the joy — they all came because I chose courage over comfort. Because I refused to edit myself into something more palatable. Because I believed, fiercely, that boldness is its own kind of magnet.

My favorite quote — the one I try to live by — is from Robert Frost:

“Freedom lies in being bold.”
And if I’ve learned anything, it’s this:
Boldness doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It just means you move anyway.

So if you’re sitting on a creative idea, a big decision, or a wild “what if,” don’t wait for the fear to disappear. Take the leap. The net will appear — or you’ll build one on the way down.

You never know… that one terrifying step might be the one that changes everything.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Shauna Earp-Ballinger, is a reputable casting director known for her exceptional eye for talent and dedication to finding the perfect match for every role. With over 30 years experience in the industry, she takes pride in offering personalized and professional casting services tailored to the unique dynamics of every project. ​
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After moving to Denver from NYC in 2005, Shauna identified the need for a culture shift to the casting approach in Colorado, leading to the creation of strategies for continuous development and positive coaching/directing methods. This change resulted in increased opportunities for actors delivering higher quality auditions, giving producers/directors more viable choices and better productions over all.
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Shauna’s background in theatre, film and comedy/improv translates to the casting world as a collaborative partner who approaches the craft with humor and a “yes, and” mentality. Her enthusiam and love for this industry are infectious. She proudly created an equitable casting process for all talent regardless of age, experience, gender identity, ethnicity, physical ability or technological skill and frequently offers free coaching to talent struggling to adapt to the changing world of digital casting.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh there are sooo many wonderful places to visit in and around town! I have a LIST!! It would be a fun filled week of insanity and all the things I love about living here.

Day 1) Water World! A whole day of stupid fun followed by tacos at Billy’s Inn and ice cream at Sweet Cow
Day 2) camping at Dowdy Lake – we’ll bring our kayaks and mountain bikes and climbing shoes, make camp pizza over the fire and watch the stars till snoozeville in the tent
Day 3) Meow Wolf and Casa Bonita!
Day 4) photogrphing animals at either Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or Denver Zoo followed by tapas at Linger and more ice cream at Little Man
Day 5) Float down the river in Golden, pizza at Woody’s and a show at MIners Alley Performing Arts Center
Day 6) DAM or DMNS then a show at the DCPA
Day 7) full dat at Red Rocks!!! Explore, food, then a concert!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out to a few people and organizations:

1) Sarah Liles with Futuristic Films
2) Big Fish Talent
3) Rick Ramage
4) Hamilton Casting
5) Jason Stoval
6) Duble Edge Films
7) Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
8) SCRIPTprov
9) Sylvia Gregory Casting
10) AEC Studio

Website: https://www.sebcasting.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seb.casting/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauna-earp-ballinger/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577777845450

Other: https://www.shaunaearp.com

Image Credits
Colleen Lee, Jeremy Rill