Why Playing It "Safe" Is Holding You Back
- Anne Ganguzza
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 10
with Stacia Newcomb
BOSSes, get ready for an inspiring conversation with a true powerhouse of performance. In this episode of the VO Boss Podcast, we welcome the incredibly talented Stacia Newcomb, a veteran voice actor and performer who has been lighting up the mic and screen for over 20 years!
Stacia's diverse voice acting career spans television voiceover, radio commercials, video games, audiobooks, and even puppetry. You might recognize her iconic voice from Sprout's The Good Night Show or her work with top brands like Disney, Nickelodeon, GEICO, and Dunkin'. In this episode, Stacia shares her unique journey, expert tips on how to infuse every voiceover read with authentic connection, and her secret to silencing that inner critic, the "self-limiter," to unleash your full creative potential in voice acting.
In this episode of the VO BOSS Podcast, Anne Ganguzza sits down with the incredibly talented Stacia Newcomb. Join them as they delve into Stacia's unique journey, from her diverse career spanning television voiceover and puppetry to her expert tips on infusing every voiceover read with authentic connection. Discover her secret to silencing the inner critic and unleashing your full creative potential by embracing play, not "safety," in the voice acting booth.
Chapter Summaries
A Life Dedicated to Performance: Stacia's Journey Begins
(02:15) Stacia Newcomb, a seasoned voiceover talent with over 20 years in the voice acting industry, shares her lifelong passion for acting. She recounts her early professional experience as an improv actor at a Gilded Age mansion, showcasing her diverse performance background that informs her voice acting skills.
Taming Accents and Embracing "Neutral" Voice
(04:22) Anne and Stacia discuss regional accents in voiceover and the historical emphasis on "neutralizing" them. They share personal anecdotes about managing accents and the balance between achieving a neutral voice and retaining authentic regional inflections for character voiceover.
Quitting College and Forging a Unique Path
(06:33) Stacia opens up about her bold decision to leave college despite studying musical theater. She details how she carved her own path in performance through internships and touring one-woman educational shows, highlighting the non-traditional routes to a successful voice acting career.
Navigating the Creative Grind & Parental Support
(10:16) Stacia reflects on the financial realities of a creative career and the invaluable emotional support from her parents. This segment emphasizes the importance of a strong support system for voice actors pursuing their dreams.
Staying Fresh: The Power of Beginner's Mindset in Voiceover
(11:38) Stacia emphasizes continually trying new things and embracing a "beginner's mindset" to prevent stagnation in a long-term voiceover career. She shares how this approach revitalizes passion for voice acting and brings fresh perspective to voiceover reads.
The Pandemic Shift and Embracing Openness
(12:41) Stacia discusses how the pandemic led to significant changes in her career and lifestyle, balancing city life with her studio in the Berkshires. She advocates for an open, intuitive approach to voice acting in an ever-evolving industry, advising against rushing the voiceover journey.
From Puppetry to Sprout: A Magical Detour for a Voice Actor
(15:51) Stacia shares the fascinating story of how watching Avenue Q ignited her passion for puppetry, leading her to train and eventually land her star role as "Star" on Sprout's The Good Night Show. This showcases her unique path into character voiceover and children's content voice acting.
Every Read is a Character: Connecting to Voiceover Copy
(20:31) Stacia explains her approach to character creation for all types of voiceover copy, including commercial voiceover. She emphasizes bringing her authentic self, exploring musicality, and using visualization to enhance voice performance and engagement in the booth.
The Art of Self-Direction & Playing for YOU in Auditions
(23:25) Stacia shares her unique audition strategy: recording a "for me" take that aligns with her personal interpretation and enjoyment. This powerful approach to voiceover auditions fosters authenticity and helps voice actors stand out.
Silencing the Self-Limiter: Embrace Play, Not Safety in Voice Acting
(32:16) Stacia reveals her "secret sauce" for voiceover performance: identifying and "sending away" the judgmental inner voice (the "self-limiter"). She powerfully states that the voiceover booth is a place for brave play and freedom, not safety, a lesson reinforced by her own life experiences that transformed her actor mindset.
Top 10 Takeaways
Embrace Diverse Performance Experience:
A broad background, from improv to puppetry, enriches your voice acting skills and marketability.
Strategic Accent Use:
While clarity is key, understand when to embrace or neutralize accents for specific voiceover roles.
Passion Triumphs over Degrees:
Success in voice acting often stems from dedication and talent, not solely formal education.
Value Emotional Support:
A strong personal support system is crucial for navigating the creative career landscape.
Cultivate a "Beginner's Mindset":
Approach every voiceover read with fresh eyes to maintain enthusiasm and creativity in your long-term voice acting career.
Trust Your Intuition in Voiceover:
Be open to where your gut leads in a dynamic industry; don't force your voiceover journey.
Treat All Copy as Character Work:
Infuse even commercial voiceover with intention and personality by embodying a character.
Visualize for Enhanced Performance:
Use mental imagery or on-screen visuals to deepen your connection to the script and improve your voice delivery.
Record "For Me" Takes:
Prioritize an authentic, personal interpretation in your voiceover auditions to showcase your unique style.
Conquer the "Self-Limiter":
Learn to quiet your inner critic. The voiceover booth is for bold, free, and connected performances, not self-judgment.
Referenced in this Episode
Direct links to things we brought up ++
Love the episode? Let our listeners hear from you!
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 on VOPeeps.com >>
ROCK YOUR BUSINESS LIKE A BOSS!
New episodes every Tuesday...
Please rate & review us on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon
★★★★★
