In their
own words.

“Shawn has completely changed the way I understand acting, my craft, and even myself. Through working with him, I’ve grown not only as an actor but as a person.

One of the biggest things he taught me was to stop trying to get an audition “right” and instead focus on bringing my own version of the character to life.

That mindset played a huge part in my SCOOBY DOO: ORIGINS audition process and filming preparation. His coaching helped me trust my instincts, make choices that felt authentic to me, and actually enjoy the process.

Not only did it help me book the role, but it changed the way I approach every audition. Shawn brings a depth of knowledge, honesty, and passion to his teaching that challenges you to do your best work. Working with him’s a gift.”

“Working with Shawn has helped me approach material more honestly and be present when self-taping and working on set. He’s also helped me develop tools to deal with being anxious before callbacks and become more introspective and in tune with myself. He’s extremely empathetic and a great mentor.”

"Shawn is a brilliant coach who gets RESULTS! I've gotten several callbacks and bookings as a direct result of coaching with him. He helps me get out of my head and stay PRESENT."

"As the great acting coach that he is, Shawn helps the artist to be sensitive to each moment, regarding it as utterly new and unique, and having the mind open and wholly receptive."

“I’ve been working with Shawn since college, and it’s honestly hard to put into words how much he’s impacted my life. The growth I’ve experienced under his mentorship goes far beyond becoming a better actor. I’ve gained confidence, learned emotional regulation, and become more authentically myself.

What makes Shawn so special is that he truly sees you. I’ve always felt safe, supported, and understood in our work together. He meets you exactly where you are while also knowing when to challenge you. Over the years, I can genuinely say I’ve blossomed under his guidance. Shawn is one of a kind, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything he’s poured into me. He’s the best.”

“Over the years, we have worked with many acting coaches for both of my children, Ruby and Max Matenko, and from the moment we met Shawn, we knew he was someone special. He quickly became the coach we trusted and wanted to continue working with whenever possible. Shawn has an incredible ability to connect with actors and bring out their very best work. He is exceptionally knowledgeable, patient, kind, and encouraging, while also knowing exactly how much to challenge an actor to help them grow. He has a remarkable instinct for finding the truth in a scene and helping performers make strong, authentic choices that elevate their auditions and performances.

What sets Shawn apart is his attention to detail. He takes the time to understand each actor's strengths and areas for growth, and he tailors his coaching accordingly. His notes are thoughtful, insightful, and always constructive. He has a gift for helping actors feel confident and prepared while still pushing them to reach a higher level.

Beyond his talent as a coach, Shawn is simply an amazing person. He genuinely cares about the actors he works with and is invested in their success. His professionalism, positivity, and dedication make every session productive and enjoyable. I would wholeheartedly recommend Shawn-Caulin Young to any actor looking for a coach who is skilled, insightful, supportive, and truly committed to helping performers succeed.

— Beth Matenko, Mom

“I couldn’t be happier to sing Shawn’s praises. My biggest bookings, break-throughs and “ah ha” moments have come from my work with Shawn. It is hard work. He is no bullshit. Do not come to him if you are not ready to get deep into your own emotional capacity and experiences that connect you to the work. He opens the actor up to their own vulnerabilities and connects that directly to the work. You truly feel what the character is going thru because you understand it from your own perspective. Even things you’ve never experienced or have no clue about- he draws from who you are to get you to a point of understanding. He fully commits to his clients and the material and demands they bring that same commitment to the work.

He explores the material in different ways to drop you in and connect you to it. Sometimes throwing things at you that seemingly make no sense for the scene or tone. What happens is you discover and find something new and different. It makes you ready for quite literally anything a decision maker might throw at you in an audition or call back. He prepares you in a way that gives you nothing but confidence going into your audition because you have already experienced the material in so many different ways.

He also makes it fun again! You look forward to crafting a performance with him and then delivering that work to decision makers. The work with Shawn instills confidence. The kind of confidence that has you so excited to perform takes the pressure off, and prepares you to get the role- or not. If you’re ready to dive deep, grow, and enjoy the audition process again- book with Shawn.”

“Shawn understands that great acting is never just about acting. He believes, as I do, that the work we do as artists is directly connected to the way we move through life. At the center of his teaching is a relentless pursuit of truth, authenticity, and human connection, and most of all, empathy.

One of Shawn’s greatest gifts is his ability to translate spiritual, emotional, and psychological insights into concepts that are both profound and accessible. He has a unique way of helping people understand themselves more deeply while simultaneously strengthening their craft.

What makes Shawn such an exceptional coach is that, at his core, he is far more than a coach. He is a writer, director, creator, and visionary with extraordinary empathy and emotional intelligence. He leads with integrity, professionalism, grace, and a level of emotional mastery that is rare to encounter.

Having Shawn in my life has been a gift. Working alongside him has been an honor. Calling him family is an even greater one. Any artist, creator, or human being would be fortunate to learn from him and work with him.”

“Shawn has been working with Ásíyih since November 2024, and I can honestly say that her growth as an actor is a direct reflection of his guidance, mentorship, and belief in her.

What stands out most to me is how much he cares about the whole child, not just the performance. I've watched him take Ásíyih into emotionally difficult scenes, help her do the work truthfully, and then bring her back safely. As a parent, that level of care matters immensely. After one of her first sessions, Ásíyih told me, "I didn't realize this was going to be like therapy." She felt seen, challenged, and supported all at the same time.

Shawn is preparing his students for much more than the audition in front of them. He's teaching them how to understand themselves, trust their instincts, advocate for their choices, and build a foundation for a lifelong career if that's the path they choose.

I've always appreciated that Shawn respects Ásíyih as an individual. He listens to her, values her voice, and empowers her to make decisions about her work. His investment in her well-being is just as evident as his investment in her success.

We are grateful to have Shawn as part of Ásíyih's journey. The growth we've seen in her as an actor is remarkable, but even more importantly, we've seen her grow in confidence, self-awareness, and trust in herself. As parents, there is tremendous comfort in knowing she is being mentored by someone who genuinely cares about both her development as an artist and her well-being as a young person.”

- May N’Dobe, Mom

“Working with Shawn is simple: he leads you straight to the heart of the craft. It's the very reason that made me fall in love with this industry in the first place. He creates a space for radical honesty, bringing every authentic piece of yourself to the role.

As actors, we all have moments where the work feels hollow—where we drift from why we chose this path. But every time I work with Shawn, he reignites that spark. He reminds me why storytelling matters and why I love it so much. The craft is messy and beautiful, and having trusted hands like his guiding the piece is always an adventure worth taking and something I'm truly grateful for each time.  “