Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun Baer.
Hi Shaun, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sure! Gosh…where’s this extroverted hypochondriac supposed to start as we come out of a pandemic? I’ve been performing in one form or another for most of my adult life, at first in musical theatre throughout the country, including New Hampshire, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and then back to Chicago where I grew up.
Soon after, I got the “content creator” bug, and wrote, starred in, and co-produced a web series called “Humane Resources.” We were accepted in a handful of festivals, including the LA Indie FilmFest and the Austin Webfest. This also starred Austin Pendleton (My Cousin Vinny). We also won the award for “Best Cast” for the Web Series Festival Global (Online festival).
I moved to Los Angeles in 2019 and was working as a Universal Studios Tour Guide. I participated in the Universal Actors Showcase a year later and signed with the CCA Agency.
And then Covid happened.
During this time, I wrote and produced a short film called “Heart of Stone.” It’s a modern twist on the Jewish folk legend of the Golem that explores the isolation and loss in the pandemic and delves into issues of identity and family history. My partner, Daniel Ellis, is a director so even though I was working on it in Chicago, he collaborated with me and was directing the film via zoom. We have started submitting to film festivals.
Last year, Daniel was hired as an Academic Professional in Opera and Musical Theatre for the University of Georgia Athens. With all the great film work happening here, I decided that it would be the best of all worlds to join him and explore the Atlanta market. I’m currently represented by Carol Shaginaw Talent here in Atlanta.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with everyone, the pandemic has created a number of unexpected struggles. I spent almost a year and a half on unemployment because literally every job I was working disappeared. In addition, my father was diagnosed with cancer just before the pandemic started, so I found myself having to assist my parents with some major life events, including downsizing and selling my childhood home during a time in the pandemic where donations weren’t being accepted, many places that would buy items were closed, and I was challenged to find the help I needed. That’s actually where the inspiration for “Heart of Stone” came from.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m so excited to be able to say that I’m a series regular on the animated series “Bossy Bear” where I play Bossy’s Dad. He’s a tech genius with a PhD in Dad jokes. The 30-episode first season is set to premiere in 2023. I joke with people that my Chicago agency (Shirley Hamilton) booked me an amazing LA show that I recorded in a closet in Atlanta.
I’m also very proud of “Heart of Stone.” This is a piece that speaks to my family, my experience in the pandemic, and I am using my full voice as a queer, Jewish artist to bring this piece to life. Giving the Jewish folk tale of the Golem a slightly new twist, we explore issues of identity and isolation. All of the artists were recorded remotely and the entire film was shot on an iPhone X.
In my work, I get excited when I have the opportunity to bring fully realized queer characters to life. I am inspired by roles that have depth and avoid stereotypes and tropes. Whether it’s been the film “Scotty and Josh Get Enlightened” (Scotty) or the digital series “Dudes” (Tyler), or the stage production “The Boys Upstairs” (Ashley) with Pride Films and Plays, I’ve had the chance to really explore some rich, gay characters. I put a lot of that into my writing as well. I have two pilots and a feature film I’ve written and hope to either pitch or produce myself.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Choosing to be an actor is inherently choosing risk on a daily basis because there is no sense of job security. You are always looking for work. You are always being told “no.” Additionally, I am not only out as a queer artist personally but also professionally. For some, this can be a deterrent, and for others, it can create an expectation of performing a certain way. I choose to bring my authentic self into the conversation because being true to yourself is empowering. We must find ways as actors to stay empowered and be grounded in ourselves. It’s one of the only ways to sustain a healthy mindset in this business. I also believe that, in this time right now, it is important for queer artists to play queer characters and bring our legacy and experience to the storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaunbaer.com
- Instagram: @shaunbaer
- Twitter: @shaunbaer
Image Credits
Tyler Core
