In late January of 2022, I ran an online Voiceover workshop for over 30 energetic and motivated members of the ACTRA Toronto Act Your Age (AYA) Committee.
My very talented peer John McGrath (now Ombudsman at ACTRA Toronto, our professional association) was the chair of the committee at the time. Although I knew some of the members, I was meeting quite a few for the first time. Mostly over the age of 60, this wonderful group opened their hearts and jumped right in to play. There was a lot of laughter and by the end of the session, I was so inspired, I knew I had to find a way to give these performers a chance to do more in audio.
As an actor nearing the end of my fifties, I’m already keenly aware of how things can change as we age in this business – not just on stage and screens, but on the air. I take pride in the age range I can bring to my characters in all areas of voice work. Yet, during the pandemic, I’d never had more requests to audition for grannies, crabby cakes and, well, hags.
Still filled up by the level of talent the AYA workshop participants brought to the process, I started to brainstorm…how could I gently remind engagers that the older and more experienced we get as performers, the more we have to offer?
I came up with the concept of a mock radio commercial campaign inspired by a brilliant video produced by the AYA Committee years ago called Misconceptions:
I called my idea This is what ___ sounds like.
We want to shake up people’s assumptions about how ageism exists within voice casting. In an entertaining, inspiring and efficient way, we’d like surprise the target audience - creative directors, production houses, casting directors, agents, copywriters & marketing folks - not only by the performance range of a group of seasoned voice actors between 50 and 90-something, but when they reveal their actual ages near the end of a series of mock radio ads.
John McGrath loved the pitch, so we ran it by ACTRA Toronto Council members Debra McGrath and Jocelyne Zucco, who took it (with one of my sample scripts) to ACTRA Toronto Council. They gave us the go-ahead soon after.
With John as my co-producer, I approached Thomas Neuspiel of Toast + Jam Sound + Picture, who generously donated a day at his beautiful recording studios in downtown Toronto.
ACTRA Toronto footed the bill for the services of my friend and gifted recording engineer Andrew McCready, who helps me make demo reels for actors at Toast + Jam Sound + Picture.
I wrote four more spots with absolute ease. John wrote one called “Horseback Ride” that still makes me laugh out loud whenever I think of it.
In early fall we sent out a notice to the AYA members, who generously self-taped their auditions for us from home. The casting process began.
In late November, we gathered at Toast + Jam to record our four favourite spots, including John’s. Each cast arrived in carefully scheduled turn for welcome, masked reunion hugs, rapid testing with the help of John’s daughter Laura and lots of safely distant laughter in the recording studio. It was a joyful day that kept me smiling for weeks.
At long last, I’m thrilled to share the results of this little idea that grew, with the hope that the people who hire us might hear for themselves that we only get more confident, creative, hilarious and, yes, sexy as we mature…when we’re invited into the booth to play.
Here’s what ACTRA Toronto shared on their Act Your Age (AYA) Committee page about the project:
“This Is What…Sounds Like (Challenging Ageism in Voice Casting)
Reflect our Diverse Society by Including Senior Voices
“Seniors in Canada are a rapidly growing segment of the population and are living longer and healthier lives than previous generations. By 2030 seniors will number over 9.5 million and make up 23 percent of Canadians.”
- Statistics Canada
Why Advertisers Should be Speaking to Seniors:
“The number of people aged 65 and over is projected to double to more 1.5 billion by 2050, greatly increasing their economic impact. The total spending power of the older population globally … is expected to grow to US$14 trillion over the next decade.”
- BNN Bloomberg
As a society we can put seniors in a box based on pre-conceived notions. But what does today’s senior really sound like?
Check out these AYA “This is What ___ Sounds Like” spots. ACTRA Toronto’s AYA Committee recorded this series of promotional audio spots to showcase (and sometimes surprise) the listener.”
I hope you enjoy the work of these wonderful artists as much as I did. If you do, please feel free to share them. We’re all trained, ready and waiting to help tell your stories.
With huge thanks to ACTRA Toronto, the AYA Committee, John McGrath, Toast + Jam Sound + Picture, Andrew McCready and the wonderful talent you’re about to hear.
“Spin Class” - Written by Tracey Hoyt
Instructor: Cari Haim
Client: Mike Hanson
Announcer.: Valeri Kay
“Horseback Ride” – Written by John McGrath
Son: John McGrath
Mom: Pam Hyatt
Wife: Patricia Wright Domingue
Announcer.: Tony Fletcher
“Overqualified” – Written by Tracey Hoyt
Boss: Heather Dick
Applicant: Elva Mai Hoover
Announcer: Mike Hanson
“Speed Date” – Written by Tracey Hoyt
Female: Nina Keogh
Male: Gord Milroy
Speed Date Moderator: Sylvan Valladares
Announcer: Jorie Morrow
Yours truly with seasoned (and hilarious) ACTRA Toronto voice actor Mike Hanson, who voiced the Client in “Spin Class” and the AYA Announcer in “Overqualified.”