a little about me...
Sara Jane Sherman CSA
Casting Director
Sara is an Emmy Winning Voice Director and a three time Emmy Nominated Casting Director. She is currently casting and/or voice directing on projects for Apple, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Disney TV Animation, Fox, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros, Adult Swim, and Max.
Some of her recent projects include: RICK AND MORTY, SPIDERMAN: FRESHMAN YEAR, ANIMANIACS, THE CUPHEAD SHOW, SCOOBY DOO, LOONEY TUNES CARTOONS, MY DAD THE BOUNTY HUNTER, KRAPOPOLIS, HAMSTER AND GRETEL, and SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OVER.
Prior to starting her own company, she was Jon Stewart's Head of Casting for his animated project with HBO. However, the majority of her casting career was at Disney Television Animation, where she spent 12 years learning how to cast an animated series.
She was the Executive Director of Casting and Talent Relations before leaving at the beginning of 2017. She has worked on such hit shows as BIG HERO 6: THE SERIES, TANGLED EVER AFTER, MILO MURPHY’S LAW, PHINEAS AND FERB, GRAVITY FALLS, and STAR VS THE FORCES OF EVIL. Her credits also include MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE, YIN, YANG, YO, FISH HOOKS, CLUB PENGUIN, WANDER OVER YONDER, SUPER ROBOT MONKEY TEAM HYPERFORCE GO!, and many, many pilots.
Prior to joining Disney, Sara worked in development at Klasky Csupo known for RUGRATS and AS TOLD BY GINGER and at Gullane Entertainment known for THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE.
She started her career as Steven Bochco’s production assistant after attending the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.
Sara resides in the Los Angeles area.
meet the SJS Casting team!
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Amanda Ray
Casting Associate
Amanda Ray is best known for her work as a Casting Associate alongside Emmy Nominated Casting Director Sara Jane Sherman, on the hit animated FOX show KRAPOPOLIS. Ray recently helped recast Adult Swim’s RICK & MORTY, and was a Casting Associate on STRANGE PLANET for Apple TV & Netflix’s SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF. Her Casting Assistant credits include THE CUPHEAD SHOW!, ANIMANIACS & LOONEY TUNES. Ray started her career in television production on NBC’s INDEBTED, and Netflix’s ONE DAY AT A TIME & THE UPSHAWS to name a few.
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Lauren 'Lo' Smith
Talent Coordinator
Lauren ‘Lo’ Smith has been working in the animation and voiceover world for over 7 years and recently celebrated her one-year anniversary on the SJS team! She fell in love with the craft while working as the voice and studio director at Osbrink Talent Agency in the voiceover department. During her time at Osbrink, Lauren managed the vocal direction of over 500+ clients that led to numerous leads, recurring, and guest roles on animated series and features seen on Netflix, Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Pixar, DreamWorks, and countless others. Long before diving into the world of animation here in Los Angeles, Lauren was born and raised in Washington, D.C. After graduating from a small liberal arts college on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in history and media Production, Lauren started her television career working at NBC News at the Washington, D.C. bureau in the local and network sectors. After moving to Los Angeles in search of a more creative outlet, Lauren started working in the live events department at BET Networks as well as taking smaller assistant jobs to help grow her experience. To further study the art of film and TV, Lauren attended the University of California Los Angeles which eventually led to a script consultant position at Netflix and Miramax for several years. In 2016, Lauren pivoted to voiceover and fell in love with the animation and voiceover process. Lauren has found a wonderful home here at SJS and is excited for everyone to see what exciting projects we’ve been working on!
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Stephanie Mejia
Casting Assistant
Stephanie Mejia joins the SJS Casting team as Sara’s new assistant after working in unscripted casting for the past two years. As an associate, she helped find talent for CBS’ BUDDY GAMES, interesting and unique products for FOX’s SNAKE OIL, and other entertaining projects that will hopefully be released soon. She fell in love with the casting process during her time at Bunim Murray Productions where she was placed as a casting intern during an internship with the Television Academy Foundation. Stephanie has a passion for storytelling and is excited to bring her enthusiasm to the SJS team.
a little q&a...
What is your favorite part of casting?
I love giving actors their first job in animation. This goes for actors who have been in the business a long time, but haven't booked as well as actors that had no idea acting in cartoons was a "thing." Many performers don't think about voice over. It isn't even on their radar. So when I bring it to their attention and then they actually book something, it is very exciting.
Any advice you would give to actors?
Take improv classes! Find your funny!
Anything else?
Take the time to listen back to your audition before submitting it. I know a lot of time there is a fast turnaround, but taking one final listen is always worth the extra minute. I can't tell you how many auditions I discard because of poor editing or recording quality. Edit out any false starts. Don't record when the trash is being collected out front. Don't record in your bathroom or any other room that echoes.
Press
Jan 14, 2023
Join JayBee, Sophie & Tore as we speak with Ms Sherman about her time directing Frank Welker, Grey DeLisle, Matthew Lillard and others on Trick or Treat Scooby Doo and work on the Mystery Pups.
March 7, 2023
A show brought to you by Kyriaki Katie Elizabeth Chonacas. Each episode will surely inspire you to live your own creative life through the arts, entertainment, wellness, and education.
Episode 84
March 4, 2021
"I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sara Jane Sherman and it was an absolute blast! Listen to our conversation as we tackle warm up questions and find out what she likes to watch, that is the opposite of Animation! She is a 3 time Emmy Nominated Director and gives killer advice on auditions and demos!"
Episode 45
Feb 8, 2021
Our industry continues to evolve, but what remains is the power of art & community! My goal is for each episode to feel like a masterclass; giving actors a better understanding of the creative conversations & business decisions that bring to life the industry we love!
May 27, 2020
A great interview with CD Sara Sherman as she discusses:
What her casting process is like;
What actors should know about auditioning for her;
What indicates that an actor can do voiceover, even if they’re known for live action?
And advice for actors who want to get into voiceover or add more voiceover work to their résumés -- And so much more!
Oct 16, 2020
The VO Meter is the Official Podcast of The Mini MAVO 2020 conference! We'll be bringing you great content both before, during and after the show so stay tuned!
July 30, 2020
The VO Meter is the Official Podcast of The Mini MAVO 2020 conference! We'll be bringing you great content both before, during and after the show so stay tuned!
2019
You don't want to miss this very special episode of Two In The Solo Booth because we stuffed an extra person into the booth with us! It's THREE in the Solo Booth with prolific VO casting director, Sara Jane Sherman. We discuss life, all things voiceover, and answer lots of listener questions. We hope you enjoy!
August 19, 2019
Episode 66: "Character Sides are Different Sides of the Character" with Sara Jane Sherman
Jan 15, 2019
#TipTuesday from Sara Jane Sherman: Get the job or get remembered!
You probably don’t book every audition… BUT every audition is a chance to be heard and hopefully remembered by a casting director. Give every audition everything you’ve got! VO is about the long game. Each audition is an opportunity. Use it.
September 18, 2017
The Voice Over Body Shop interviews Sara Sherman on episode 86!
June 29, 2017
Sara Sherman and Aaron Drown know a thing or two about casting voiceover performers in television animation series'. They have impressive credits, years of experience in the field and they have brought some of the most memorable animated characters to life by casting a long list of talented new and established actors to voice them. During this talk they will share their perspectives on the casting process, what they look for in voice actors, working with animation studios and program creatives and perhaps other things about animation you would never know. Join us for this special evening and add some new tools to your tool box. Moderated by Aric Shuford, National Director of Voiceover Programs for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation
September 02, 2016
Sara Sherman has been casting cartoons for Disney Television Animation for the past decade and has worked in the world of animation for 15 years.
April 5, 2015
Emmy Nominated, Superstar Casting Director, Sara Jane Sherman joins us to talk about her amazing career and advice on what voice actors can do to be more successful in their cartoon auditions!
She shares her tips for success on staying focused and finding a balance in life between career and family!
October 03, 2014
If you’ve dreamed of voicing characters for an animated TV series, or imagined crying out in pain as your video game character is felled by a hail of bullets, here’s some advice: before you schlep your family, pet ferret and collection of Stars Wars action figures across the country, read what four influential members of the animation industry have to say.
Testimonials
If you love Sara and would like to write a testimonial or review-- please send via the contact page. Thank you!
