Acting: My Theatre Roots

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Hello all,

Many people on the internet (yes… YOU!) have wondered “How do I get started in Voice Acting?”

The answer: ACTING!

Acting on Stage, Improv games, and Singing form the foundation of my skillset that I use daily in voice acting.

“But, Joe”, you might hypothetically say, “Where is the proof that you’ve been on stage?”

Thanks to my friends and family, I managed to pull together a short demo of a few of my past Musical Theatre productions. And now, the movie, folks!

These are just a few of the dozens of shows I was in over the years. I was fortunate to have gone to a High School that did 3 shows per year. And was near a community theatre that did 1 or 2 more. By the time I was out of school, I’d been in over a dozen shows. After high school, my day job was computer programming, but by night I did theatre. Usually 3 or 4 shows a year. That adds up over the decades.

For me, stage acting (and improv and singing), gave me all the tools I need to deliver a believable performance in voice over, as well as a large stable of characters and accents.

Now it’s your turn: Tell me what you’ve done on stage!
(or if. you haven’t – get involved with a theatre near you and have some fun!)

Cheers,
Joe (actor)

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De Pronto Seymour

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De Pronto Seymour

This week I’m posting a cover version of “Suddenly Seymour” from the musical Little Shop of Horrors… but in Spanish!

Here’s the song, with my Audrey voice pitch-shifted up by an octave (yes, I sound like Miss Piggy):

      De Pronto Seymour (pitch-shift cover song by Joe J Thomas)

… and one with just my original singing:
      De Pronto Seymour (cover song by Joe J Thomas)

There were several challenges that went into this song:

  • Transcribing the Lyrics (couldn’t find an official version online)
  • Singing in Spanish, with correct pronunciation and emphasis
  • Harmonizing with myself
  • Pitch shifting my voice for Audrey’s part

I got a lot out of the exercise. Learned some new Spanish words, a new song, and some new production techniques. More tools for the toolbox. Or at least toys for the toybox.

Hope you enjoy it!
Joe

~~~ Lyrics: ~~~
“De Pronto Seymour”
Spanish version of “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors
(transcribed from a version performed in Buenos Aires)

SEYMOUR
No estés así. Toma mi pañuelo. Limpiate el rimmel, los labios también.
Quiero mirar el alba en tus ojos. Estamos muy juntos, ya todo está bien.

De pronto Seymour está a tu lado. No más maquillaje, no más que esconder.
De pronto Seymour llegó para darte dulces palabras. Cuenta con él.

AUDREY
Yo a la ternura no conocía. Mamí era pobre, papá se nos fue.
Y cualquier hombre que aparecía; “vení” me decía y yo qué iba a hacer?
De pronto Seymour está a mi lado. A nada me obliga. Me sabe entender.
De pronto Seymour llegó para darme dulce consuelo, cuento con él.

SEYMOUR
Dime que esto que siento es eterno. Que ya ha pasado mi tiempo infeliz.

AUDREY
Seymour comprende que a los perdedores. No les es fácil gritar: “soy feliz”

AUDREY
De pronto Seymour
SEYMOUR, CRYSTAL, RONNETTE, CHIFFON
De pronto Seymour

AUDREY
Me purifica
SEYMOUR, CRYSTAL, RONNETTE, CHIFFON
Te purifica

AUDREY
De pronto Seymour
SEYMOUR, CRYSTAL, RONNETTE, CHIFFON
De pronto Seymour

AUDREY
Dice Podés
SEYMOUR, CRYSTAL, RONNETTE, CHIFFON
Sí, Podés!

AUDREY
Ser esa…
TODOS
Chica!

TODOS
La que soy por dentro

SEYMOUR
Él te comprende
AUDREY
Él me comprende

SEYMOUR
Muy tiernamente
AUDREY
Muy tiernamente

TODOS
Muy tiernamente

AUDREY
Mi hombre es Él!
OTROS
Tu hombre es Él!

 

All content written and voiced by Joe J Thomas online at: JoeActor.com

 

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