Meet Caleb Hafen

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caleb Hafen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Caleb, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

I developed my ability to take risks by nurturing faith in my ability to achieve goals while carefully navigating my expectations of actually achieving those goals. I’ve noticed that expectations tied to results outside of my control can lead to feelings of disappointment, frustration, and entitlement. Expectations tied to results within my control lead to high levels of motivation, measurable action, and satisfaction. For example, I believe I am capable of submitting for 20 auditions, attending 5 classes, and networking with 3 new industry professionals in a month. It is helpful for me to expect myself to achieve these things because these goals are all within my control. I also believe that I am capable of booking a dream job. However, it is not helpful for me to expect that goal because the achievement thereof is more out of my control. That result, if achieved, would be a gift. I can still do things that would make the achievement of that goal more likely (by submitting for auditions, attending classes, networking, etc.) but the actual result would depend upon the casting decisions of other people.

When my faith in my own ability is connected with the proper expectations, I am propelled to go places I otherwise would not go, achieve goals I otherwise would not achieve, and take risks I otherwise would not take.

It is also helpful for me to consider the worst possible outcomes before taking on certain risks. Becoming prepared for the worst possible outcomes, or changing my circumstances so that the potential outcomes become more manageable, empowers me to take risks without fear. For example, a recent risk I have taken is to professionally pursue a career in performance in NYC. At first, I was afraid of getting lost in survival jobs without ever actually performing at a satisfactory capacity. I was not comfortable with that worst case scenario. Therefore, I changed my circumstances in order to enthusiastically take on the risk. I decided to finish my pre-med classes and take the MCAT so that the worst case scenario became pivoting career paths and applying to medical schools. That circumstance felt not only manageable, but exciting for me. Preparation empowered me to take the risk of moving to NYC without fear.

Ultimately, I have faith in myself, faith in the process, and faith in outcomes without expecting anything beyond my control. I believe everything happens for a reason. Taking risks is a great way to grow, whether we achieve what we hope to or not.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am currently understudying Albus Severus Potter, and playing Cedric Diggory / James Potter Jr. & Sr. on the first National Tour of Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (come see us in Chicago, LA, or D.C.!). I’ve been living in NYC for a little over a year now with my partner, McCall McClellan, who is a dance maker and photo/video artist. While in the city, I’ve worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Server at Hillstone Park Avenue. I’ve performed in feature films, regional theatres, TV shows, audiobooks, and short films.

I auditioned for my first musical during my sophomore year of high school after being cut from the basketball team. I remember that being a really hard day, but that may have been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was a recent move-in to New Jersey from Seattle, Washington. I was seeking community, and while I hoped to find more of it on the basketball team, the Theatre was a great place to find it. My initial involvement is all thanks to the encouragement of my sophomore English Teacher and first Theatre Director, Jeff Hogan. During my time in NJ, I became acquainted with The Paper Mill Playhouse through their Rising Star Awards program and got a scholarship to their Summer Theatre Conservatory. There, I met an entire community of people that were serious about pursuing performance professionally, a career path I had never considered before, and still wouldn’t for another few years. Through the Paper Mill Playhouse, I received intense training that prepared me for university level performances. I met a network of people that I am still connected with today (one of them is in the Cursed Child with me!)

Upon graduating from highschool, I figured medicine was a good career path for me to follow. I felt strong in my STEM classes, and enjoyed learning about subjects related to healthcare. I declared myself a Biophysics major after being accepted to Brigham Young University (BYU). In my new student orientation group, I serendipitously met Luke Rands (currently a vacation swing on the Mrs. Doubtfire National Tour) and Ben Raymant (LAMDA MFA). They were both part of BYU’s Music Dance Theatre program, which I had not heard of nor looked into before. They encouraged me to audition for the university’s production of Mary Poppins. During that production, I learned that medical schools accept any major, so long as applicants complete a specific list of pre-med classes. After speaking with Clark Johnsen (BYU alumni, Original Broadway Cast member of The Book of Mormon, and currently practicing physician) I decided I would audition for the program and strive to graduate with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre, two minors in Chemistry and Microbiology, and pre-med classes completed.

After my freshman year, I went back to the Paper Mill Playhouse to intern for the same summer theatre conservatory that had given me so much. I then spent two years in the Philippines as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I learned Tagalog, connected with incredible people, and had experiences I will never forget.

When I returned from the Philippines, I started to feel an immense amount of support and encouragement from my peers and the beloved MDT faculty at BYU. I started to cast a wider audition net outside of University productions. I found open calls posted on Utah Film Facebook pages, where I got cast as the lead in a couple feature films. I auditioned for local and regional theaters. I heard of a Salt Lake City Talent Agency called Talent Management Group (TMG) through my university friend Ally Choe (Shrek National Tour). After signing with them, I began auditioning for commercials and even more TV/Film projects.

All the while, I continued to become a stronger Medical School applicant, and in turn, I think I became a much more well-rounded human. I was one of Dr. Jason Adam’s teaching assistants for Anatomy (which I believe should be a required course for every human being-seriously, our bodies are amazing), I became a CNA, and volunteered at Encircle, an LGBTQ+ community resource center for youth, young adults, and families in Provo, UT. I am passionate about the intersection of faith and sexuality and promoting allyship through advocating for everyone’s right to choose love and pursue happiness. All three of these experiences have contributed to parts of me that would be missing had I not chosen to pursue medicine in addition to performance.

As graduation from BYU was approaching, my old friend from New Student Orientation, Luke Rands, nominated me for the TV/Film section of The Link Program, a two week workshop/showcase in front of NYC industry professionals led by Ricky and Danny Loftus-George. After getting accepted into this program, I began to feel like a career in performance was actually becoming a possibility. I met Katie Murphy of Pantera Murphy the Agency (PMA), Jason Thinger, associate casting director at Carnahan Casting, and Conner Wilson, associate director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Through these connections, among others I made at LINK, I felt I had a solid launching pad that would help me navigate NYC as a fresh graduate seeking performance opportunities. Katie, my agent, kept a lookout for auditions for The Cursed Child while submitting me for a variety of other projects as I moved to NYC and continued to build a network. I took classes through Actors Connection, HB Studio, and the Bob Krakower Gang. I taught Aerial Silks at the Norwalk Conservatory (led by the same team that started the LINK Program), and interned at the conservatory’s Pre-College program. I continued building relationships with people I had already met during LINK. After taking a class with Jason Thinger via Actors Connection, he invited me to be a reader for him during his Dear England auditions. From there, I met other Carnahan Casting associate directors and they invited me to be their reader in a variety of auditions over the next few months. I absolutely adore everyone at the Carnahan office. It was around this time that Katie submitted me to the Carnahan Office via Actors Access to audition for the National Tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

After several rounds of callbacks that lasted over a month, I finally received the offer, and the rest is history. I love trying to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. I love trying to connect with characters and other people. I love perfoming.

I was recently featured in an episode of Mega-Brands That Built America on the History Channel. The episode is titled “Sneaker Head-to-Head.” It is available via Philo and other platforms.

I recently narrated a fictional dystopian trilogy, Fates Inmate, that is available on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Audible, ect.).

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be in Chicago from September 2024 – February 2025, Los Angeles from February 2025 – June 2025, and Washington DC from June 2025 – August 2025.

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?

Faith. I don’t necessarily mean religious faith, though that is included. Believing in people, ideas, places, dreams, etc. can drive me to go places I otherwise would not go, see places I otherwise would not see, think things I otherwise would not think, and become someone I otherwise would not become. I think action is required to build this quality. If you act on your faith, you will do things you otherwise wouldn’t, and see results you otherwise wouldn’t. Your faith can build from there. “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).

Work Ethic. If there is somewhere you want to be down the road, figure out how to get there-then go. Ask yourself: “What do I need to do to get there? What would give me the best chance of getting there?” Don’t wait for someone to give you a ride. Make it happen. Be the change you want to see. My dad once told me, surely quoting from someone else, “there are three types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder “what happened?” Be someone that makes things happen. A great place to start is with goals that lie entirely in your control.

Striving to “Uplift, Encourage, Inspire, and Bless” through every interaction. This is a slogan I learned from Mary and David Koster while I lived in the Philippines. They were our leaders as missionaries, and personified this slogan. More important than anything else was leaving someone more uplifted, encouraged, inspired, and blessed than before meeting them. To increase this skill, practice it! It can be helpful to think of people who you feel do it well for inspiration. Love people in the way they will feel it.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Throughout my life, and in every city I’ve lived in (Chicago, IL, Dayton, OH, Battlecreek, MI, Seattle, WA, Hackettstown, NJ, Provo, UT, Quezon City, Philippines, and NYC), I’ve struggled to find a balance between different areas of interest. I’ve always been simultaneously involved in multiple extracurricular activities, whether they be sports, bands, choirs, clubs, productions, or community events. As I’ve aged, it seems I’ve had to slowly narrow my passions.

Deciding on an ultimate career is hard. I’ve heard it said, in reference to performing, “if you can do anything else, do that.” Yet, here I am, embarking on my first National Tour, while currently building a spreadsheet with matriculation information from 179 different medical schools to help me to decide which ones I should apply to.

I don’t know if I ever will end up going to medical school, but I want to keep this option open. It is something I would love to do-but would I love it more than performing? Would I love it 5 years from now more than I would love performing 5 years from now? Possibly. It’s hard to tell. While not many have taken this nontraditional path to medical school, there are some, and their mentorship has been invaluable. In the meantime, I will keep all of my options open for as long as I can.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

McCall McClellan
Gabriel Mayberry
Gage Peterson
Leavitt Wells
Weston Childers
Brandon Carraway
Hannah Grace
Dave Bresnahan
Megan Morrison

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made