Sharon Lieblein, CSA, Partner at Champion/Lieblein Casting. Prior to returning to the freelance world, she most recently served as vice president, casting and talent development, for Cartoon Network Studios. Lieblein oversaw live-action talent and casting for the Studio and served as the executive liaison between talent and the different divisions within the studio and network. She was responsible for identifying, casting and managing talent appearing on Cartoon Network Studios scripted and alternative live-action projects. She reported directly to Rob Sorcher, chief content officer for Cartoon Network, based in Burbank, California.
Prior to Cartoon Network, Lieblein was on staff for 13 years at Nickelodeon, where she served as vice president of talent & casting. In this capacity, she oversaw all live-action casting for Nickelodeon Networks, including pilots, TV movies, specials and promos. Among her projects were such signature Nickelodeon shows as iCarly, Big Time Rush, Victorious, Zoey 101 and Drake and Josh, and she helped discover such talent as Emma Roberts, Lily Collins, Josh Peck, Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice and Gabriel Iglesias. She also oversaw animation casting at the network for two years.
Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Lieblein worked as a freelance and in-house casting director on various feature and television projects including the Witt-Thomas Productions of The John Larroquette Show (NBC) and Pearl (CBS).
Lieblein has been a working member of the Casting Society of America (CSA) since 1995 and an active Television Academy member since 1999. Additional affiliations include serving as vice chair of the Advisory Committee for “Looking Ahead,” a division of the Actors Fund of America.