In her capacity as a filmmaker, Shawn Tolleson is putting the finishing touches on financing her film, Shakespeare’s Henry IV, which she adapted and will direct with Martin Sheen, Angela Bassett, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Alexander Siddig. Her original screenplay Yazoo Cryin’, with Sophie Okonedo attached, is in the process of packaging and financing. She recently finished co-writing the pilot Scrapyard Barbie for Grammnet and is co-writing Down, Boy! for production company Little Engine. She has directed theatre, including the world premier of the Sam Shepard play It Wasn’t Proust and three short films that have played around the world in festivals. Shawn is classically trained and holds her B.F.A. from North Carolina School of the Arts in both directing and acting.

As a coach, Shawn has worked with actors to create such breakthroughs as signing with representation, being mentored by Oscar-winning actors, securing readings and productions for a debut play, being cast in pilots as well as noteworthy film and television roles, and enrolling investors in film and theatre projects created by and starring clients who are actors.