We recently connected with Callie Haun and have shared our conversation below.
Callie, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Thank you! I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of my parents being forces of good and engaging with me enthusiastically. I feel deeply thankful for them. Their influence has always been the most impactful to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m passionate about four things: storytelling, consciousness, moving my body and my friendship with my Grandma Vernie. Acting is my heart. It’s the most exhilarating feeling to visit the lives of others. When I joined SAG AFTRA it was a day I long dreamt of. Writing fuels my soul. Since I was young I’d help myself out of lostness by pouring my imagination from thoughts to paper with pen as my extracting weapon. Since early on in the pandemic I leaned to writing: screenplays, short stories and lots of poetry for reprieve and safety. When my industry shut down I needed to grow a new layer of thick skin and pivot for survival. A year ago I learned about living presently while in Bali for 500 hours of a yoga teacher training program. This experience changed my life. Since the pandemic I vow to not waste my time; to pursue everything that inspires me-especially when it feels hard. Currently, I have a film that I wrote in post production (VITA) that was made by the generosity of my peers in front of the camera and behind. Putting my work “out there” was always terrifying but that doesn’t feel like a good enough reason not to give it a shot. My third passion is my oldest discipline; sports. Seeking refuge has always been found for me in sports (USTA tennis player, running, swimming & 10+ years playing basketball & last month my first cycle race). As a kid, teen and adult I love a runners high with endless endorphins. I do my best to carve a couple hours out everyday to run, bike, yoga, &/or swim because I know when needing to work problems out I do best when I stop searching for the answer but allow it to come to me. My fourth passion is my best friend, Grandma Vernie. She’s the kindest human, with more integrity than anyone I’ve ever met. She grounds me, full of wisdom and inspires me more than anyone else. She’s like a lighthouse always shining to havens of goodness. She encourages kindness and bravery above all else. Something I’ve practiced in the last year when I get in my own way: stop caring what others think. The moment my concern involves approval from another then I know I have to do whatever it is without fear. For example I started a business during the pandemic (Callie’s Camp) where my peers and I teach acting, creative writing and self esteem building classes to kids and teens. I do my best to have my curiosity of the world shown so learning will always be an act of self love and exploration. It’s fun to learn something new and surprise ourselves that we’re capable of more than we think.
I’ve always kept my inner child alive. I’m a firm believer we all carry a piece…chunk…or version of ourselves from childhood into adulthood. “Little Callie” grew up very energetic and very shy (weird combo, I know) in a tiny town in Northern California. There weren’t theatre classes in my schools so I did what energetic + shy kids do… used my imagination. As a kid who LOVED visiting faraway lands through foreign films, or refused to go to sleep early when enticing music lingered the next room over in my parent’s room: acting looked like the most fun job. I often visualized how acting would feel if ever given the opportunity to study and learn about a craft I so admired. Fast forward to taking my first acting classes… I’m forever thankful for my scholarship to San Francisco State university to pursue my bachelors in a double major in Drama and Literature.
Things I’ve experienced the past few years have added depth to my well as a storyteller. For instance, moving to Bali in 2022 for my 500 hours of a Yoga Teacher Training program was a life changing experience I wouldn’t have had if I remained committed to my rigid rules of “acting or nothing.” In addition to becoming certified as a Yoga Teacher I also became certified to teach breath work and meditation classes. Without planning this I found serendipity in the gift of bridging yoga’s physical asana’s to my craft as well as breathing techniques to my tool belt as an actor. When not on set teaching private yoga classes has brought me so much joy the last year. Also, while in Bali I made a dear friend who’s become my “Soul Sister.” After we returned to our countries we kept in touch for a year and she generously invited me to visit her in her home of South Africa this year of 2023. Bridging my other love of cycling to life in being invited to join a cycling team her business sponsored. On March 12, 2023 I competed in my first sponsored 42km cycle race (Cape Town Cycle Tour 2023). I’m extremely happy I pivoted my thinking during the pandemic to make room for anything. I learned if we’re open to things that aren’t right in front of our faces we allow ourselves the gift of growth. I highly recommend the giddy-nervous feeling of traveling to new countries or strengthening your body (in any physical activity) or simply changing up your routine.. When I think of ‘Little Callie’ these days I smile because her desire to act was at the root of loving films alongside her parents. Becoming enamored in worlds different than my own, dynamics, relationships and dreams that dazzled to come to life on screen. Everything is possible in the movies. Being a working actor and compassionate human that learns about others are my two focusses.
Whether I’m on set, auditioning, swimming, writing, cycling, teaching, training for a race, exploring, yoga bending, or pursuing any curiosity I believe I’ll be alright because my attitude has always been full of gratitude. Life is more beautiful than ugly.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have helped me most: resilience, self-awareness, and time management. Resilience is essential when passionate about anything. To choose to persevere is to promise yourself quitting isn’t an option, nor is succumbing to opinions of how others value your craft, artistry, or view you as a person. Accepting feedback can be healthy for growth and development, as long as not sacrificing our integrity for sake of acceptance from others. Whether success is achieved or not (creative lifestyles or other professions) removing the pressure and desire for approval and instead committing to loving yourself no matter the outcome. Self awareness is the second quality I believe to be essential. How you speak to yourself, about yourself and to others is crucial. If we choose to represent ourselves with respect and love then mirroring that awareness to be loving and accepting of others will come naturally. If we have awareness over our thoughts instead of allowing our thoughts to control us then we’re capable of achieving anything. Lastly, Time Management is the third quality I believe to be essential. For years this has been a challenging quality for me because I’m passionate about so much in life. However, I believe if we’re able to visualize and organize our; hopes, dreams, goals, or daily to-do lists ahead of time than we’re setting ourselves up for the best possible outcome to achieve anything.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents have ever done for me is lead by example how to be excellent communicators. To this day this gift has been the most meaningful. My parents divorced when I was a kid, however the closeness I feel with them as a unit and separately is a testament to their insistence we work together as a team. Miraculously, they proved they can raise me together (even in separate homes). Today, we still maintain an active group text message where we’ll have 3-way phone calls and daily check ins. Their devotion to parent, be my ally’s and my friends has created an unbreakable bond. I respect them and love them above all else (and my Grandma Vernie). I believe being comfortable speaking up for myself personally and professionally is due to their insistence that communication is key for everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.calliehaun.com
- Instagram: @calliehaun
- Other: Callie Haun resides in Los Angeles, CA as a working actor-writer-athlete-and loving granddaughter to Vernie, She’s a professional SAG AFTRA actor and AEA E actor. Callie earned her BA with in theatre and Literature with honors as a double major. Callie Haun studied in an intensive post graduate program in Florence, Italy for acting on camera.
Image Credits
Muneeb Rehman. Franky Renteria. Trevor Cameron. Sam Tilson. Kenneth Dolin Photography.
