We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kathryn Horan. Check out our conversation below.
Kathryn, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
One of the first things I do every morning is go for a walk. It’s usually just 20-25 minutes, but I get to go out, enjoy the cool of the morning, possible see the sunrise depending on the time of year, and get some exercise in. I usually have a podcast that I listen to and enjoy the sites and sounds of my neighborhood. Then I take a shower, eat breakfast, and head off to work! It’s a great way to start the day off with some invigoration.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kathryn Horan, and I’m the Senior Casting Director at The Voicecaster. I’ve been here since 2012, and we are a one-stop shop for everything in voiceover. We’re a casting house, but we also produce demos, do recording sessions, teach classes, and record auditions for actors. What make us so different from other places is we all wear many hats–we are all involved in the casting, teaching, and recording. We also come to our projects from a casting director perspective. We always have something going on, whether it’s casting, producing demos, or do session records. Right now, I’m recording an audiobook with someone. I love recording audiobooks because it’s a chance for me to “read” or learn something new while still working!
I myself come from an acting background. I graduated with my B.A. in Theatre Arts from New Mexico State University. I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue an acting career. I did a lot of indie films, student films, and extra work. I finally found my footing by working at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, I worked in the box office there and worked backstage on many of their productions. It was by doing that that I made the connections that eventually led to my job at The Voicecaster, and I was able to apply all the things I had learned from my years as an actor and technician to a successful career in voiceover.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a wild child! I think back to my earliest memories, and I was always getting into something. People who know me now find it hard to believe I was such a trouble-maker and someone who would get into trouble because I tend to be quiet and reserved until I get to know people. But I had no fear as a kid. I would never back down from a challenge or necessarily thought about consequences before I would jump into something. I think a lot of people are like that when we’re young. While I don’t want to completely go back to those days, I do think we need to be less afraid as adults. We need to be willing to just try or go for something without worry about what “might” happen. The biggest rewards often come from bigger risks. If you’re too afraid to go for something, you’ll never know if you can do it!
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I always worry too much about what people think of me. I worry if they’re going to laugh at me, or make fun of me, or say something snarky. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to care less about these things, but it is something that I still feel from time to time. I never want to make a bad impression or have people think less of me, and sometimes it does dictate what I will say and do. Sometimes I want to speak out or say something, but I second guess myself and the impression I would make and I don’t. It’s something I constantly struggle with, but something that as I have gotten older, I start to worry less about.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Because I work in the entertainment industry, there’s such a perception that you have to be perfect or that you have to do things in a certain way. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Before I started working at The Voicecaster, I thought only people with big booming voices, or deep smooth voices did voiceover work. But what this industry really wants are people that sound human! We want people who sound like our friends, family, and neighbors.
Another misconception about this industry is that there is a set order in which you need to do things. While certain things are definitely helpful and will give you a huge leg up (like taking classes and getting the proper training), you don’t necessarily need an agent or need to be a union actor in order to be successful. Especially since Covid, the voiceover world has really opened up. If you have a good home studio, you can be almost anywhere and pursue a career in voiceover. With that said, this is a highly competitive industry, so the more training and connections you have, the better off you will be.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I think so! I have always taken so much personal pride in my work–doesn’t matter what I’m doing. I pride myself in doing a good job, being efficient, and making people happy. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than knowing I helped out or made a difference, even if my boss doesn’t know. Sometimes it’s the little things that no one but me will even notice, but it makes things run smoother, and that makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.voicecaster.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-horan-945495279/
