Voice Actor Audition

What equipment do I need to be a voice actor on QN?
You will need access to a quality recording set-up. Nothing ridiculously fancy, but not a built-in laptop microphone, either. (It’s extremely difficult to successfully combine various voices, if one is recorded in very low quality, and one is recorded in high quality.)

A basic setup will include a mic (the higher quality headphone mics work as well) and recording software such as Audacity (free for Mac and PC), Garage Band, Camtasia, etc.

For audio gear recommendations, read the Studio FAQ.

What kind of pieces do you run on QN?

Short Pieces
These are easy to read and run less than 5 minutes. I’m a terrible eavesdropper; I write down the conversations I hear, and then you get to play them out for the show.

Improvised Pieces
For the more adventurous volunteers, I run improvised shows, like Mr. and Mrs. Suburbia.

Audiosketches
Short pieces. These run from 5 to 10 minutes and often involve voice direction. Brand Loyalty is a snarky audiosketch.

Audiodrama
These single-run audiodramas run as long as 20 minutes and often involve voice direction as well. (Don’t worry, I won’t throw one of these at a new volunteer.) The parody Is Your Husband Gay? and 1 Necklace, 13 Socialites, and a Very Stupid Idea are two recent examples.

What are you looking for, in an audition?
1. Self confidence.

2. Following directions. It sounds basic, but you wouldn’t believe how many people ignore what I say in the instructions in the beginning (and how that ALWAYS translates to not paying attention to instructions for later scripts).

3. Embodying the character. When you read for a character, I should believe you’re that person.

4. Emotional commitment. Be emotionally affected by the scene, by what happens to your character.

5. Varying speeds and volumes. It makes an enormous difference in making your voice compelling to the listener.

Audition
If you would like to audition, please contact me. I’ll send you text to read that will showcase your abilities. Want to know what the audition involves? Have a look.