Catching up with Scholarship Winner Lauren McDowell at VO Atlanta
- Anne Ganguzza
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
I recently had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the 2025 VO Peeps (now VO BOSS) National Scholarship winner, Lauren McDowell, to chat about her experience at VO Atlanta this past March. VO Atlanta is one of the largest and most impactful voiceover conferences in the world, and we're so proud to support Lauren on her voiceover journey!
Lauren’s experience at VO Atlanta was transformative, and she’s here to share all the incredible lessons she learned, the challenges she overcame, and how the conference shaped her direction in the voiceover industry.
Lauren’s journey to VO Atlanta wasn’t easy, but it’s a perfect example of persistence paying off.
“I’ve been wanting to attend for years,” she said. “But financially, it just didn’t make sense at the beginning of my voiceover journey.” Living in Atlanta, the conference felt within reach, but still too far out of grasp. Winning the scholarship opened the door to her attending, and she left with a wealth of knowledge and a solid direction for her career.
“It was overwhelming in the best way possible,” Lauren says, reflecting on the conference. “I’ve been going through my notes and figuring out my next steps. It gave me the confidence I needed to make this a full-time career.”
From Stage to Studio: Lauren's journey into voice over
Lauren’s transition into voice over came after a background in theater and on-camera acting in Iowa. When she moved to Atlanta, Lauren pursued on-camera acting, but something about voiceover clicked for her in a way she hadn’t expected. “Voice over is this beautiful blend of acting, but with an added challenge,” she says. “It’s all about telling a story with just your voice.”
For Lauren, this challenge was exciting. She realized how voice acting allows you to use every aspect of your acting training but in a new way. “It’s all about the physicality—how you use your body, even when it’s just your voice,” she explained. That’s when she truly fell in love with the craft and began training at Atlanta Voiceover Studio in the fall of 2022.
This business requires so much more than on-mic skills!
One of the more surprising aspects of voice over for Lauren was the tech side. Coming from on-camera work, she didn’t anticipate the steep learning curve of building a home studio and managing audio quality. “I’m not a tech person, but I’m learning,” Lauren laughed. “The tech was overwhelming at first, but it’s easier than I thought once you break it down.”
It’s a familiar story for many of us, especially for those who are just starting out. And once Lauren conquered that hurdle, she realized that it was all part of the process, letting her focus more on the craft of voice over. We've all been there, right?!
Diving into new voiceover genres
What really surprised Lauren at VO Atlanta was how much the conference expanded her horizons. While she had mostly worked in commercial and corporate narration, she attended a political voiceover panel on a whim. And guess what? She loved it. “I never considered political voiceover before, but after that panel, I realized it could be a great fit for me,” Lauren said. “I’m passionate about politics, and I think there’s a gap for younger voices in that space.”
It was a revelation for Lauren, as it reinforced the importance of exploring different genres. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places!
The true magic of VO Atlanta is definitely the people!
One of the most rewarding aspects of VO Atlanta for Lauren was meeting voiceover artists and connecting with other professionals in the industry. “Meeting you, Anne, was really cool!” Lauren gushed. “You’re one of my voiceover idols, and it was amazing to finally meet you in person” (I'm blushing over here!).
Lauren talked about what it was like to meet the Nava panel and be around colleagues she really admires, not just people she looks up to from a distance. "It was awesome to be in the same room with folks who work in the same industry as me. In voiceover, there's none of that gatekeeping you sometimes see in on-camera acting," she said.
For Lauren, one of the most valuable takeaways from VO Atlanta was gaining confidence in herself and her abilities...
“Winning the scholarship was a huge confidence boost,” she shared. “It validated that I’m in the right place. I asked questions, interacted with people, and took every opportunity to learn.”
After the conference, Lauren realized that while her performance skills were strong, she needed to focus more on building her voiceover business. “I need to focus more on things like CRM systems and marketing,” she said. “I realized that business is just as important as performance. Without it, no one will know you’re out there.” She's right - it's so important to remember the business side of voice over!
In addition to her journey as a voice actor, Lauren has a deep passion for helping others.
She works with two nonprofits focused on the stuttering community—Say, the Stuttering Association for the Young, and Space, the Stuttering People’s Arts Community and Education. “I’ve been working in the stuttering community for eight years, and it’s one of my greatest passions,” she shared. Lauren’s dedication to these causes reflects her commitment to making a positive impact beyond her own career.
Lauren's advice for anyone starting out in voice over...
When I asked Lauren what advice she’d give to someone just starting out in voiceover, she didn’t hesitate: “Take in all the information, but don’t let it overwhelm you. You’ll get to it all eventually. It’s okay to take it one step at a time.”
Lauren’s journey is a beautiful reminder that voiceover isn’t just about talent—it’s about growth, learning, and being willing to step out of your comfort zone. She’s already well on her way to carving out her niche in this industry, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next!
Lauren, it was such a joy to have this conversation with you. I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do in the future! Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep sharing your incredible voice with the world.
Until next time—stay inspired!
Connect with Lauren
Learn more about Lauren HERE
Follow her on Instagram HERE
Want More VO Atlanta Scholarship Information?
If you’re looking to take your voiceover career to the next level and want to apply for a scholarship or contribute to helping the next generation of voice talent, visit the VO BOSS Scholarship page. You’ll find all the details on how to apply for future scholarships or contribute to helping others achieve their voiceover dreams!
More from Anne Ganguzza
She's a powerhouse voice talent, producer, and host. Book time with Anne to get your voiceover career in gear or focus on a specific genre. Catch her each week on VO BOSS or Register for an EVENT >>
