Shawn Carter Peterson

Shawn Carter Peterson Actor/Director
Shawn Carter Peterson is a native of Baltimore, MD. He graduated from Vassar College cum laude with a dual degree in Drama and Africana Studies. With a strong background in theatre, last summer Shawn performed the title role in Oxford Shakespeare Company’s workshop of Macbeth in Edinburgh and Birnam, Scotland! Malcolm MacKay (director, RADA & BBC) said that Shawn’s Macbeth was “...exceptional in every respect, powerful, intelligent and charismatic!” In June of 2018 Shawn performed the role of Bassanio in the Oxford Shakespeare Company’s workshop of The Merchant of Venice in Venice, Italy! Of his performance in Venice, director Ron Song Destro said,” Shawn Carter Peterson’s Bassanio was a Masterful Portrait! He handles Shakespeare’s verse with ease, and exhibits a dynamic presence onstage. Shawn’s performance was filled with a wit and sensibility that proved he is a talent, smart & charming leading man.”
Also a classically trained pianist, in December of 2017, Shawn performed at Carnegie Hall. Studying the piano from the age of 4, Shawn attended the Peabody Preparatory of Music in Baltimore. He has won numerous competitions and was training to be a concert pianist. After a few years of not performing in public, he entered the American Fine Arts Festival’s Golden Era of Romantic Music competition upon the suggestion of his former teacher, Dr. Nancy Roldán. He was one of the winners and performed at the Winners’ Concert at Carnegie Hall!
Since moving to Los Angeles, Shawn has made a name for himself by becoming a recognized staple in tons of national commercials, and print ads. As one of young Hollywood’s up and coming actors, Shawn's appearances on television have varied from 1 hour dramas like HBO’s Entourage, F/X’s The Shield & FOX’s House to half hour sitcoms like CBS’ How I Met Your Mother & TVLand's Hot in Cleveland. Shawn landed roles ABC's CASTLE, The CW's Hart of Dixie, F/X's Southland, CBS’s NCIS: New Orleans and was last seen on Guest Starring on TV Land’s TEACHERS.
Broadening his breadth of acting work to also encompass film, Shawn worked on the Lifetime movie Midnight Bayou with Jerry O'Connell & Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway. He also shared the screen with teen sensation Miley Cyrus in the hit film Hannah Montana-The Movie as well as with Billy Bob Thornton in the film The Baytown Outlaws. Shawn made

his blockbuster debut as "Wes" in Stephanie Meyer's THE HOST directed by Andrew Niccol. His most recent film role is as “DAX” in PITCH PERFECT 2 which was the #1 Opening Weekend box office film in The US, UK & Australia grossing more than $264 Million worldwide! He recently filmed The Jade Earring with Hugh Jackman & Thandie Newton in New Orleans. The film was directed by Westworld Co- Creator &Executive Producer Lisa Joy and is set for release in 2021.
Shawn Carter Peterson also has his own production company, Maestro Entertainment, LLC. With Maestro, Shawn has produced and directed various content. He has directed multiple music videos, which have aired internationally on MTV Europe as well as VH1-Soul, Centric & Logo stateside. He currently has a music video for Sy Smith’s CAMELOT in rotation on BET SOUL His short TRUE GRITS (written by Blaine Teamer) starring Tony© Winner Tonya Pinkins, Victoria Tilford & Sy Smith screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France as well as at the Hollywood Black Film Festival. He produced, directed and starred in the short biopic The Untitled Bob Marley Project about the late reggae icon Bob Marley to much acclaim. Adding to Maestro’s catalogue, Shawn has various television pilots that he has developed, produced and directed which include reality, lifestyle as well as scripted series. FOREVER YOUNG AT HEART is a comedy pilot he also produced and directed starring Ruta Lee, Marianne Muellerleile, Patricia Belcher and BernNadette Stanis about senior citizens living in a senior living facility. He also produced and directed the reality pilot HARMONY: The Background Singers of Los Angeles. Most recently, Shawn produced the web series 2 Black Dudes created by J Lee (The Orville). Most recently during the quarantine, he was written, produced, directed, edited and starred in a Variety Show entitled Shawn & Sy’s Variety LIVE!. Alongside his wife, Sy Smith, the two present sketches, pre-recorded shorts and live musical performances. The shows are broadcast live via Facebook. With three episodes in, they are currently working on the next installment. He is also currently developing a feature film as well as more television projects. With a full slate, he doesn’t plan on slowing up any time soon.