Coaching Philosophy
From Acting to Casting
Karen Maseng began her career as an actress in Los Angeles. Not long after she co‑produced and co‑starred on stage in Eastern Standard with Bryan Cranston, she met casting director Melissa Martin on the set of a commercial they both appeared in.
Melissa went on to become one of LA’s top casting directors, while Karen’s love of the acting process led her to running camera and directing actors in casting sessions.Years later, Karen founded Pogo Casting to serve discerning clients who wanted a casting director deeply involved in every step of the process.
Teaching is Karen’s way of giving back. As auditions evolved into virtual sessions and Self‑tapes, she realized that one‑on‑one coaching lets her focus on each actor’s specific needs in a way classes never could. Bringing an actor’s own experiences and truth to a role is crucial in a competitive field.
Most actors worry too much about what they think casting directors want, which can stifle creativity and authenticity. Directors, producers, and casting directors are looking for actors who can fully inhabit a character. With more than twenty years of experience auditioning actors and collaborating with directors, Karen brings a practical insider’s understanding of the casting process.