It’s Spotlight Saturday – a time to celebrate the brilliant people, places and elements that make the performing arts industry so dynamic. This week, we’re turning our attention to a group of incredibly talented individuals who are often heard but not seen – voice artists.
Voice artists bring characters, messages and entire worlds to life using nothing but their voice. From commercials and animations to video games, audiobooks, and radio dramas, their work spans a wide variety of platforms. They may never step into the spotlight in the traditional sense, but their impact is profound, and their craft deserves to be recognised and celebrated.
What exactly does a voice artist do?
A voice-over artist lends their voice to productions across media such as television, film, theatre, advertising and online content. They might narrate a documentary, guide listeners through a podcast, voice characters in a video game, or deliver lines for an animated series. Their job is to connect, entertain, inform and inspire—purely through vocal expression.
Do you need qualifications to get started?
Not at all. While formal training isn’t a requirement, acting experience or voice coaching can provide a strong foundation. Key skills include vocal control, clarity, diction, emotional range and the ability to interpret scripts effectively. Many successful voice artists have backgrounds in performance and build upon this with specific voice-over training.
How can you begin a career in voice-over?
Start by exploring your voice. Work with a voice coach to identify your strengths and improve your technique. Create a professional voice reel to showcase your abilities—this acts like a showreel, but entirely audio-based. With the rise of remote recording, setting up a home studio is now both accessible and essential. You don’t need a huge budget to begin—just a decent microphone, editing software and a quiet, treated space to record in.
Equally important is understanding the business side. Most voice artists are freelancers, so building an online presence, learning how to market yourself and networking within the voice-over community are crucial steps.
Why might voice acting be right for you?
Voice-over work offers variety, flexibility and the chance to keep performing in new and exciting ways. It fits beautifully alongside other creative work and allows you to work from anywhere. It’s a career path that supports continuous learning and can lead to deeply fulfilling collaborations with clients across the globe. Whether narrating an audiobook, voicing an animated hero or guiding users through a corporate explainer video, voice artists bring projects to life with skill and passion.
Celebrating voice artists
To every voice artist—those who are seasoned professionals and those just beginning—we celebrate your artistry. Your ability to convey meaning, emotion and character through your voice alone is a powerful gift. You enrich productions and engage audiences in ways that are often invisible but always impactful.
And for any performer considering this path, know that your voice has the potential to do extraordinary things. With dedication, training and a love for storytelling, voice work can become a valuable and rewarding part of your creative journey.