Mic’d Up For The Planet: An Interview with Audrey J. Williams
Introduction
What genres of voiceover (VO) do you work in?
I primarily work in e-learning, medical and technical narration, corporate video, live hosting, and audiobooks.
Why do you love being part of VO4TP? What motivated you to join VO4TP?
When I first heard about VO4TP, I immediately thought that I needed to make it a goal to be a part of this group. I was following a number of members already on social media and knew that I appreciated their talent and their dedication to meaningful work. I love being a part of VO4TP because I am part of a group of humans who care…about the planet, about their role in keeping it healthy and whole, about their work as artists and creatives, and about supporting others who feel the same.
What are 3 words your best friend would use to describe you?
Funny, Smart, Inclusive
Additional Work Insights
What aspects of your job bring you the most joy?
Working with a creative team, exploring the possibilities within a script, and, actually, I really enjoy the audio editing aspect quite a lot.
How did you get started as a voice actor?
I have always been interested in using my voice, and that started when I was a radio DJ back in college on both the college station and a local FM station. A few years before I planned to retire from my career in education (where you use your voice a LOT), I knew I wanted to give voiceover a try, so I started my training. Then, after I finally did retire – I jumped right in!
If you hadn’t pursued voice acting, what career path might you have explored instead?
Well, I did have a career path before VO, but for a hot minute, after I won a comedy contest in college, I did consider trying the standup comedy route as a career. That thought didn’t last too long.
Environmentalism
Which organizations are you most passionate about giving to with your time and money?
I believe in the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally” and love to support groups that work for systemic changes to societal problems, as well as animal welfare and habitat protection.
- Community Shares has long had my support through their workplace giving program as well as volunteer hours over the years. Community Share provides support to 28 progressive non-profit organizations, called Member Groups, that work every day to make Tennessee more equitable and just.
- I also support Habitat for Humanity through donations and on building projects in my city. Affordable housing is so important in every community.
- And, as a birding fan, I also support Cornell Lab of Ornithology, both through their citizen science projects as well as donations. Their McCauley Library and research on Bioacoustics are amazing – technologically and ecologically. It’s 100% techy-feely!
Any great tips on being sustainable in your work and/or life?
In working to be sustainable in life, it’s all about our choices. Every small bit helps – recycling everything I can, eating local food with as much plant-based as possible, driving a hybrid car, supporting green power with the local utility, and buying used/repurposed when I can are all choices I have made and do make. As much technology as we use in our work, I try to choose lower-impact options where possible, such as rechargeable LED lighting in my booth and configuring my computer to go to low power mode after a certain amount of idle time.
Just For Fun!
If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be and why?
My 18-year-old cat will be unhappy with me (and I’d never, ever choose another pet over him), but I’d probably want a raptor – a hawk or owl. They are such amazing creatures, and to have the opportunity to be with one so closely would be a gift.
Imagine you’re creating a playlist for a road trip through the world’s most beautiful landscape. First, where would you be, and second, what would be the first song on your playlist?
I have been fortunate to travel to all 50 states in the US and to many countries around the world. There is beauty EVERYWHERE. When pressed to just one place, it would probably be on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, and the first song would be “Sweet Surrender” by John Denver.
Learn more about Audrey J. Williams.