Today we’d like to introduce you to FR Springer
Hi FR, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After earning my B.A. in theater and voice at S.U.N.Y. Plattsburgh…California inspired me, like so many others, to leave the frigid East Coast and pursue a career in entertainment. I was very fortunate to win a scholarship to American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, being inspired by character actor Bryan O’Byrne, who coached me on my undergrad one-man show, Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape.” The rest is history as they say, and I eventually landed (literally) in Los Angeles while working as a Flight Attendant to make my mark in Hollywood.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The Hollywood firmament is a very tricky pursuit. Survival included temping at Disney, MGM, Warner Bros, Fox, and then led to a ten year miraculous career as Chief concierge in the luxury hotel industry. There are no other places in the world so unique as in “Hollywood Hospitality.” You meet everyone, and if you’re lucky and have the flair, they will eventually help you. There is no formula to break in, it relies on talent, persistence, and relationships. Director Charles Lane (“Sidewalk Stories”) noticed “something” and gave me that break in “True Identity” for Disney-Touchstone, and boom! I got my SAG eligibility, however, it was not enough, I wasn’t ready to commit to the craft. Lacking the confidence, and fear of not having a consistent paycheck, I focussed on leaving hospitality, and working in the studio system. I literally campaigned to work at Paramount after meeting A.C. Lyles and Sherry Lansing. Sherry gave me a shot to work entry level at Paramount, which led to my mentor, John Wentworth, working for him in publicity. It sharpened everything I had, and to this day, his work ethic is with me on every project.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
“The right place at the right time,” it is true! My vocal talent was always in me, but asleep. Heidi Hoff and Ed Morales, with The Pasadena Tournament of Roses, hired me to voice the Rose Parade entry narrations for their digital platforms in 2016. It was a gift and resurrected my confidence in my vocal talent. Ed brought back the “live announcer” for the Rose Parade, and to this day, it is the love, pride, and joy of my voice career! Ed Morales (now the 2025 President of the Tournament of Roses) and Marketing guru and actress Mandy Denaux, sit at the helm of “America’s New Year Celebration,” and I am excited to work with them again with the 136th Rose Parade! I joke that I wish I had a Rose Parade every week to perform. The endless work involved with voiceover auditions, audiobook narrations, and other voice projects is daunting. I’m now focussing on taking my announcer skills to the next level (in between future Rose Parade’s.) Hello again “Hollywood firmament!”
It is uncanny what my voice can do, and it does set me apart, especially with my current audiobook projects live on Audible, where I voice every male (and female!) character you can imagine…try honing your vocal craft on voicing Truman Capote!
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
To not forget what we all went through that brought us together! We all supported each other, and learned to appreciate what we have in life, and how quickly we can lose it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://frspringervoice.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frspringer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frspringervoice/
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/8qZzU
