Kristine Knowlton

Nash and Monkhouse Productions present a Merry Sketch In Sketch Out Christmas
Join the Sketch Players as they return to perform a series of sketches from the bizarre to social commentary. There’s something for everyone. CONTENT WARNING: Strong language and sexual references.

December 14th

Location: Zoom

Time: 3PM EST

Event: https://www.facebook.com/share/16pKKS2up2/

Come see Royally Flushed perform at the Woodstown Festival with the Blue Moon Theatre at 2PM on September 27th!

Don’t Call Me Shirley presents Live Stand Up Comedy Sunday August 31ST 7-9PM Come vote for me!!! 100 South White Horse Pike Waterford Works, NJ at Sum Place Else Bar and Grill

#comedy #comedyshow #competition #comedians 

The Sprite Challenge

I paired up with an amazing comedy partner, A-A-Ron of ​⁠ to present to you, The Sprite Challenge.

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#comedy #standupcomedy #spritechallenge #challenge

In the world of voiceover, having a great voice is only part of the equation. What truly sets you apart is your ability to bring characters to life — not just the ones written for you, but the ones you create yourself. Whether you’re breaking into animation, gaming, audiobooks, or comedy skits, character creation is a game-changer.

Here’s why creating your own characters is one of the most important skills a voice actor can develop:

1. It Showcases Your Range

When you create your own characters, you’re no longer limited to casting calls or typecasting. You get to explore:

• Different vocal tones and accents
• Unique personality traits
• Specific physical quirks (think: the way a pirate limps AND lisps)

This shows potential clients or casting directors what you’re capable of beyond your demo reel.

2. It Sharpens Your Acting Skills

Every great voice actor is also a great actor. Creating a character means building their backstory, motivations, fears, and desires. Even if you’re voicing a talking banana with anxiety issues, giving it depth makes it believable and memorable.

This kind of work strengthens your instincts, emotional delivery, and spontaneity — all crucial for auditions and bookings.

3. It Fuels Original Content

Original characters are goldmines for content creators.

• Want to stand out on TikTok or YouTube?
• Need fresh material for your podcast or live show?

Your own quirky detective, alien barista, or overworked fairy godparent can become a recurring favorite. Comedy, drama, horror — your characters can drive entire storylines.

4. It Builds Your Brand

The entertainment industry thrives on originality. If you’ve got a few signature characters, they can become part of your personal brand. Think of them like mascots:

• They make you more recognizable
• They help audiences connect with your work
• They give people a reason to come back for more

If someone says, “You’re the one who does that gremlin who loves snacks,” you’re already halfway to being remembered — and hired.

5. It Gives You Control

Waiting for auditions can be frustrating. But when you create your own characters, you’re not waiting — you’re building. You can:

• Make your own sketches
• Animate your own shorts
• Record character monologues for your reel
• Sell or pitch them to shows, games, or production studios

It’s empowering. It’s proactive. It’s how you turn “aspiring” into “working.”

Final Thoughts: Let Your Imagination Be Your Casting Director

Creating your own characters means you’re never boxed in. You can be a dragon one day, a cranky grandmother the next, and a toaster with commitment issues by Friday.

In a competitive industry, originality is your superpower. So dream big, go weird, get wild — and give your characters a voice only you can bring to life.

Need help developing characters?
Start small. Give a voice to your pet, your coffee mug, or that weird neighbor you only see at midnight. Then grow from there. The more you play, the stronger your voiceover muscle becomes.

Happy creating — and keep talking to yourself (it’s called practice)!

Written by Kristine Knowlton – actor, voice artist, and lover of oddball characters with heart.

Whether you’re just getting started in voice acting or looking to expand your range, practicing character creation is one of the most fun and creative ways to develop your voiceover skills. It’s not just about changing your pitch—it’s about crafting believable, compelling personalities using only your voice.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build unique characters and bring them to life behind the mic.

1. Start with a Concept

Before diving into how your character sounds, think about who they are. This doesn’t need to be a full-blown backstory (yet), but give yourself a few basic traits to work with:

• Age – Are they a child, teenager, adult, or senior?
• Species – Human, robot, talking toaster? Go wild.
• Occupation – What do they do? Teacher? Pirate? Space courier?
• Personality – Are they grumpy, excitable, nervous, snobby?

Example: A nervous raccoon librarian who’s always whispering to avoid making noise.

2. Choose a Vocal Placement

Vocal placement is where the character’s voice “sits” in your body:

• Nasal: Great for nerdy, annoying, or eccentric characters.
• Throat: Good for tough, gruff, or villainous types.
• Chest: Often used for heroic or calm, grounded characters.
• Head: Light, airy voices—often used for whimsical or childlike roles.

Experiment with shifting your vocal resonance and see how it changes the personality of your character.

3. Play with Pitch and Tone

Pitch and tone can dramatically change how your character comes across:

• High pitch: Great for young or hyper characters.
• Low pitch: Can sound menacing, wise, or slow-moving.
• Breathy tone: Adds mystery or softness.
• Gravelly tone: Useful for older or worn-down characters.

Combine vocal placement and pitch to start sculpting your character’s sound.

4. Add Vocal Quirks

A believable character has idiosyncrasies. Try adding:

• A stutter or catchphrase
• A lisp or unique way of pronouncing words
• Rhythmic or melodic speech patterns
• Pacing variations (fast talkers vs slow drawlers)

Don’t overdo it—but a touch of individuality makes your voice more memorable.

5. Develop the Character’s Emotional Range

Your character needs to feel real, which means they should be able to express:

• Joy
• Fear
• Anger
• Surprise
• Sadness

Pick a simple monologue or write a few lines and practice reading them with different emotions. This is where your character truly comes alive.

6. Record and Listen Back

Recording yourself is essential. It helps you:

• Hear what’s working (or not)
• Stay consistent with the voice
• Tweak the tone, pacing, and quirks

Use free tools like Audacity or paid DAWs like Adobe Audition to track your progress.

7. Create a Character Library

As you build more characters, keep a character sheet with:

• Voice notes (description, pitch, quirks)
• Sample recordings
• Notes on emotional range and strengths

This library becomes a great reference for auditions or future practice.

8. Practice in Context

Put your characters in scenes! Practice:

• Reading scripts in different genres (commercial, animation, video games)
• Improvising conversations between two characters
• Narrating a story as your character

This improves your fluency, spontaneity, and versatility.

Final Thoughts

Creating characters for voiceover practice is part technique, part imagination, and all heart. The more you experiment, the more confident and creative you’ll become. Don’t worry about getting it perfect—have fun, be bold, and let your voice play.

Bonus Tip: Join online VO communities or voiceover challenges on platforms like TikTok or Reddit to test your characters in the wild and get feedback.

Happy voicing!

So you’ve been watching shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, or maybe you caught a local improv performance that left you crying with laughter. Now you’re wondering: Could I do that? The answer is 100% yes.

Improv (short for improvisational theater) is for everyone. Whether you’re an aspiring performer, a shy introvert looking to break out of your shell, or someone just looking for a fun new hobby, improv has something to offer.

Here’s how to get started in the wonderful, weird world of improv:

1. Find a Class or Workshop Near You

The best way to learn improv is in person. Most cities have at least one improv school or theater offering beginner classes. Just Google “[your city] improv classes” or check places like Meetup, Eventbrite, or local community centers.

Why classes rock:

• You learn the rules and games of improv in a safe, supportive space.
• You’ll meet like-minded people and build instant connections.
• You get to practice consistently, which is the fastest way to grow.

If in-person isn’t an option, many online improv classes have popped up in the past few years—Zoom improv is a real thing!

2. Watch Lots of Improv

To get a feel for how improv works, watch different performers and styles. You’ll start to recognize the “yes, and” mindset, character work, and how scenes are built from nothing.

Check out:

• Middle Ditch & Schwartz (Netflix)
• Whose Line Is It Anyway? (YouTube)
• Local theater shows (live or recorded)
• Improv podcasts like Hello from the Magic Tavern or Off Book: The Improvised Musical

Watching improv gives you inspiration—and shows that it’s okay to be silly, weird, and even make mistakes.

3. Learn the Basics (Yes, And, etc.)

Here are a few golden rules of improv:

• “Yes, and…”: Accept what your scene partner says and add to it. This is the foundation of every scene.
• Make your partner look good: It’s not about being the funniest; it’s about building something together.
• There are no mistakes: Everything is an opportunity. Even “messing up” can lead to hilarious scenes.

These aren’t just stage rules—they’re great life advice too.

4. Start Playing

You don’t need a stage or an audience to start practicing. Grab a few friends and play classic improv games like:

• Zip Zap Zop
• One Word at a Time Story
• Party Quirks
• Freeze Tag

Or just try making up scenes together with the only rule being: say “yes, and” and commit 100%.

5. Don’t Worry About Being Funny

This might sound weird, but being funny isn’t the goal. Being present is. Funny happens when you’re listening, responding honestly, and having fun. The laughs come naturally when you’re truly in the moment.

6. Stick With It

Your first few scenes might feel awkward. You might freeze up. You’ll probably say something weird. That’s totally normal! Improv is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. Keep going. Keep showing up.

Before you know it, you’ll be surprising yourself—and having an absolute blast doing it.

Final Thoughts

Improv is more than comedy—it’s confidence, creativity, collaboration, and connection. Whether you’re looking to perform, make new friends, or just try something new, starting improv might just be one of the most fun and freeing things you ever do.

So… ready to say yes, and?

If you’ve spent any time behind a microphone, you know that voiceover is more than just reading lines—it’s about bringing words to life. And if you’ve ever stepped onto an improv stage, you know that it’s about creating something out of nothing, in the moment, with confidence and creativity.

Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly), the worlds of improvisation and voiceover are deeply connected. Whether you’re voicing a wacky animated character, narrating a heartfelt commercial, or punching up a video game script, improv training can give you a serious edge in the booth.

Here’s why improv is a voice actor’s secret weapon—and how you can start using it to elevate your performances.

1. Improv Sharpens Your Instincts

Voiceover sessions often move fast. You’re given a script, a quick brief, maybe a character image—and you’re expected to deliver. Improv teaches you how to make strong choices quickly. That means trusting your gut, committing to a character, and jumping in with confidence, even if the direction is vague or the copy is unfamiliar.

2. Characters Come Alive Through Improv

Character work in VO isn’t just about funny voices—it’s about point of view, motivation, and personality. Improv helps you build unique, believable characters from the inside out. Through improv games and scene work, you learn how to create fully formed characters on the fly—and that makes your reads stand out in auditions and recording sessions.

3. It Keeps You Loose (and Funny)

Whether you’re recording dialogue or trying alternate takes in a commercial read, directors love when voice actors can play. Improv keeps you mentally flexible and creatively open. You’re better at trying new things, making bold choices, and not clamming up when a line falls flat.

Plus, you’re more likely to drop a hilarious ad-lib or a surprising take that ends up making the final cut. Many of the most iconic animated lines were improvised by actors who were just playing around in the booth.

4. It Builds Confidence and Presence

Improv demands that you be fully present and unafraid to “fail.” That kind of mindset is powerful in voiceover work, where rejection is common and direction can change on a dime. With improv training, you’re more comfortable taking creative risks and bouncing back quickly if something doesn’t work.

5. It Makes You More Fun to Work With

At the end of the day, directors want to work with people who are collaborative, responsive, and adaptable. Improv-trained actors tend to bring a positive energy to the room, take direction well, and elevate the material by contributing creatively. That kind of vibe makes you memorable—and rehirable.

Getting Started with Improv for VO

You don’t have to become a full-time improviser to benefit. Here are a few simple ways to build improv into your voiceover routine:

• Take a class (in person or online) at a local improv theater.
• Warm up with improv games before auditions or recording sessions.
• Practice riffing on a script: Try different takes, add lines, or invent backstories.
• Improvise characters out loud—give a voice to the objects around your house. (Yes, even your coffee mug.)

In Conclusion:

Voiceover is about connection. So is improv. When you blend the two, you don’t just sound better—you feel better behind the mic. You become more versatile, more engaging, and more creative. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, adding improv to your toolkit can unlock new layers of performance and fun.

So next time you’re in the booth, remember: don’t just say the lines—play with them. That’s where the magic happens.