Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Mangram.
Hi Troy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a performer. Some of my earliest memories are of me reciting Langston Hughes and Nikki Giovani poetry in kindergarten. Growing up in a large family, I have 8 siblings and over 50 first cousins on my mother’s side of the family; performing arts were as much a part of my childhood as cartoons. We would put on our own talent shows frequently. That’s where I got my start…at home amongst family. As for voiceovers and voice-acting specifically, I began that journey in 2020. For years, family, friends, and random strangers would tell me I had a “voice for radio”, but I never pursued it as a career until I found myself at home and yearning for a new creative outlet.
As it turns out, for this pastor, poet, rapper, speaker, storyteller, and actor, voice acting was a natural fit.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been an incredible journey, to be honest. Once I started auditioning, I was booking. They were small-scale gigs, but gigs, nonetheless. Voice acting is a very competitive world, filled with incredible people working very hard, so I am grateful for each and every opportunity I get. Aside from me learning the “business side” of things on the fly, there haven’t been any major hurdles along the way. For that, I am extremely grateful.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a voice actor/voiceover artist. But that feels a little reductive. I like to think of myself as a storyteller. I get to partner with some incredible creators to tell amazing stories. I am blessed with a unique voice, but that’s only part of the equation. I am also blessed with the story of my life and all the unique experiences, relationships, and knowledge that have shaped me, and I bring that to the table every time I am privileged to read or write a script for a client. I have a well of joy, sorrow, hope, grief, triumph, and love to draw deeply from…so there is seldom a project that come my way that I feel ill-equipped to bring to life. I bring me to the table 10 times out of 10. No one else can do that. No one else can be me, so that sets me apart from others. Not above, but definitely apart.
This has afforded me the opportunity to work on some pretty incredible projects that I am extremely grateful to have been a part of. Perhaps the one I am most proud of is my role as Batwing for a DC Kids motion comic series. I am a father of 3 and a lifelong Batman fan. The project was published on the DC Kids YouTube page a few months before the late great Kevin Conroy passed away, which made it even more special to me. His work in the Batman Animated series is second to none. So, for me to live into his legacy in a very small way was a tremendous honor…plus it earned me huge brownie points with my kids…who can tell all their friends that their dad is a superhero.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in this journey is to embrace the gift of limits. I cannot live and die with every yes and no. Nor can I pile so much on my plate that I have no time or capacity for the people that matter most to me. This is a wonderful gift, but the gift of my wife, children, friends, community of faith, and rest are far greater gifts.
Embracing that truth helps me to continue to enjoy what I do and the life I live.
Contact Info:
- Website: troymangram.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troydejzohn_vo/
- Other: rezoundvo.com
Image Credits
Rodney Richards
Garrison Thompson
Megan Rowland
