Shipley Stories

Elizabeth Wiederseim ’03: One of Variety’s 2024 Power Women of Hollywood

Ali Schwartz ’10
Elizabeth Wiederseim ’03 was named one of the “Power Women of Hollywood 2024” by Variety. As an agent at William Morris Endeavor (WME) in Los Angeles, CA, Elizabeth has guided multiple clients through career highs. We caught up with Elizabeth to learn more about her time at Shipley, the path that led her to a career in entertainment, and the lessons she’s carried with her along the way.

Describe your academic experience while you were at Shipley. Were there any impactful teachers or moments that stand out? Did you participate in any extracurricular activities? 
I was a shy kid who liked to read books. I gravitated towards a studious and clever group of friends. The smaller class size and intentional curriculum helped me with getting comfortable with speaking up in class, which is something that I used to struggle with. I had a lot of impactful teachers, but I particularly remember Mrs. Wampler (Lura Coleman Wampler ’56) who used to call me by my mother's name, Meg, because they knew each other. I didn't correct her because it made me happy. I was not great at—nor that passionate about—Chemistry, but she helped me through it, and I was grateful for her.
I did participate in the school plays and musicals as well as Ms. Miller's (Madeline “Emmy” Miller ’96) Shakespeare Club which I enjoyed immensely. My most memorable moments were not from my consistently mediocre performances but from hanging out before, during, and after the shows. I liked being in the same room with other people who liked theatre, which has proven somewhat prescient for my future career.

What core Shipley values have stayed with you throughout your life? How did Shipley shape you personally or professionally?
Shipley helped me realize that in any new situation (switching schools is not wholly unlike leaving one agency to go work at another) you have to find your people. I was lucky enough to find my people relatively early on and thus I was able to lean on others when navigating what then felt like an intimidating workload and a higher academic standard than to what I was accustomed. So, when I'm feeling challenged and unsure, I'm not afraid to ask my peers for help and I believe that Shipley taught me that.

How did Shipley prepare you for college and for your career at one of the top talent agencies in the entertainment industry?
When I left Shipley for NYU, I was more than prepared because my work ethic was airtight. I had read dozens of books and analyzed literature for hours on end and had honed my creative taste with the help of my friends. I didn't need to figure out what my “lane” was. I already had one. I was ahead.

What led you to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, and what excites you most about your work as a talent agent?
I went to New York University Film School (NYU Tisch School of the Arts) and originally planned to pursue a career in writing for television. Really good writers have unlimited patience and the ability to singularly focus on one thing for years on end. I admire those qualities but do not possess them myself. I always liked actors. I didn't want to be one, but I liked hanging out with them. 
So, I stayed in New York City, NY between my freshmen and sophomore years of college and interned for a talent manager named Lisa Loosemore. Lisa was the friend of a friend of Shipley classmate Julia Stroud Offinger's ’03 aunt. She ran a tight ship and curated a small and unbelievably talented group of actors who would jump from theatre to film to television and back. At the time, I didn't realize how rare and difficult this was to achieve. I ended up working for her part-time during all four years of college and she helped me get my first “real” job as an assistant at Innovative Artists. 
I've now worked at four different agencies and finally moved to Los Angeles, CA from New York City in 2020. I get a lot of joy from this work. Every day is a disaster. Every day is also a triumph.

Reflecting on your career so far, what is a standout moment or achievement that you are especially proud of? Is there an aspect of your work you’re particularly passionate about?
I'm especially proud of my very small part in helping the recent Academy Award-nominated film Sing Sing (2024) to fruition. It's an extraordinary work and I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to support and champion the artists involved.

The entertainment industry can be challenging and fast-paced. How do you stay grounded, and what lessons have you learned along the way? 
I really do try to lean into the challenging and fast-paced work environment. This stuff is fun. One way to stay grounded is to lead with joy. We're at the Oscars! Or, we're in a staff meeting! Same attitude. Sure, I have to read a lot of scripts and watch a lot of films and television shows but if Shipley-aged Elizabeth heard me complaining about having to watch movies, she'd be disappointed in her future self. 

What advice would you give to Shipley students or fellow alumni interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry or talent representation?
I hear from a lot of young people that they love movies and TV shows, but that isn't enough to just love them. You have to get specific and stick to your guns when someone challenges your taste. What are your favorites? Start learning who the filmmakers are. Who the producers are. Who the composers are. Who the cinematographers are. Is there a film that everyone claims to “love” but you don't actually think is that good? Chase that feeling. You're probably not alone. 
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The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.