Thompson Howell: Award Winning Voice Actor and Freelance Organist

Jun 1

Welcome to Classically Minded!

I’m Garrett John Law, curator, and today I am joined by Thompson Howell.

I first crossed paths with Thompson through the organ scene in Los Angeles. Thompson is in high demand as a freelance organist, and he is also an accomplished voice actor with decades of experience. I asked Thompson to be on Classically Minded because his work embodies the multi-disciplinary and collaborative spirit of this blog.

So whether you're an aspiring voice actor, a seasoned musician, or simply curious about the intersection of creativity and career, Thompson offers valuable lessons and inspiration as someone who has carved out a unique path in the world of classical music and voice acting.

Let’s get to it.

You've had an extensive and varied creative background, from playing the organ to pursuing acting and radio hosting. How have these diverse experiences influenced your journey as a voice actor, and do you find any surprising connections between these seemingly different roles?

All of the activities you mentioned that I’ve been involved with in my life are really just different types of creative endeavors. Sure, they’re all different and may not seem connected on the surface but they do have creative expression as a common root. Playing the organ, using my voice to help brand a commercial client, or being a radio personality playing the hits on the radio are different versions of myself, I guess.

Most of my friends know me primarily through one of those versions without knowing much about my involvement with the other areas. If someone is an interesting person or has an interesting life, I like to think it’s because they can’t be easily defined and categorized. I’ve embraced being a Renaissance Man.

Your voice has been featured in numerous award-winning campaigns, including the 2023 Voice Arts Award-winning video for ESPN. Could you share some insights into the process of bringing a script to life with your voice, especially when working on high-profile projects like this?

In today’s world, the best communication between people results from telling a good story. Take this blog, for instance. You’re telling the stories of creative people. Why is that important? We all have our own paths…or own journey…and we can learn more about our own story when we see ourselves through the experiences of others.

The ESPN project aired only once – right before the start of an NFL game. But it told a good story about quarterback Tom Brady; his importance to the game of football and the challenges he faced when he switched teams.

The piece definitely has a heroic, anthemic, and dramatic quality to it which is a genre I feel my voice and my personality are best suited for. It’s a setup piece – setting the stage. The writing was very good and that always helps any voice actor take words that you’re reading off a page and speak them to be heard by the audience and to not sound like you’re simply reciting them.

Click play to listen to Thompson Howell's award-winning sequence, originally aired on ESPN

Transitioning from a successful career in radio to becoming a prominent voice actor is quite a leap. What motivated you to make that shift, and how do you think your background in radio has shaped your approach to voice acting?

Radio was how I discovered voice acting, actually. I gravitated more towards the freelance voice acting gigs – mostly because it provided a flexible schedule. You could essentially be your own boss. Over time, my interest (and income) in voice acting overtook that of being on the radio. When voiceover was going great, I’d quit a radio job. When things were slow on the freelance side, I’d pick up some regular weekend work as a disc-jockey.

My last day ever on the radio was October 1, 2006 back in Chicago…just before I moved to LA. When radio was good…it was good, fun, creative. Both the radio and voiceover industries are much different now.

You've mentioned that versatility was crucial in the early days of your voice acting career but that specialization has become more advantageous in today's industry. Could you elaborate on how you've adapted your approach to meet the changing demands of the voice acting landscape?

Well, back in the “old days,” voiceover was a much smaller and somewhat undiscovered business. The overall talent pool was far smaller, and the business tended to be more localized.

In Chicago, I had a Chicago talent agent who got auditions from Chicago advertising agencies, and we’d go to record at a local Chicago recording studio. The advance of technology (.mp3, ISDN, the Internet) over the past 25-30 years has turned voiceover from “a nice little business,” as one of my former agents once put it, into a global industry.

So, where being a versatile voice actor once served you, I feel it’s in no one’s best interest to showcase too much versatility. If everyone out there is super versatile and can do anything well, how is any one actor going to ever stand out?

Particularly since the pandemic, but even before it, you see social media feeds filled with advertisements for voice acting classes, coaches, demo producers, workshops, seminars, etc. The industry has been “discovered” by the masses who are being told how easy it is to work from home in your pajamas and make millions of dollars a year “just using your voice.” It seems like nearly every highly successful professional in other fields wants to quit their lucrative jobs and a regular paycheck so that they can become a voice actor.

I’m all for pursuing your dreams…but really, people – what are you thinking? So, in the face of unprecedented amounts of competition on all fronts, you’ve really got to stand out, to showcase your uniqueness and make that work for you.

You want to be top of mind as being the very best at the kind of work that is completely within your creative wheelhouse. Plant your flag and say, “This is me!” No one is right for everything, but you’re always gonna be very right for the things you’re very right for. Why try to be someone else? They’re already taken.

In addition to your voice acting career, you're also an accomplished organist. How do you find balance between these two passions, and do you ever find opportunities for them to intersect creatively?

I have yet to find a way to intersect them creatively. I also haven’t been looking to do so. Music was my first passion as a kid. Piano and then organ lessons. About half way through high school I got the acting bug. The rest, as they say, is history.

I will say that voice acting can be very musical. Timing, rhythm, nuance, and subtlety can all come into play. As someone with a musical background and a generally innate musical intuition, I feel I have an advantage over people who do not have those.

As my primary voice over coach, Marice, says, the best voice acting performances are like “dancing on the head of a pin.” A vocal wink, a twist of a word, letting a word bloom just enough – all of it can make for a satisfying performance. Musicians get that too.

Thompson at the console of Westwood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for its vibrant music scene, with a diverse range of churches and performance venues. Could you share some insights into the experience of playing the organ in such a dynamic and culturally rich city, and how has the city influenced your approach to music and performance?

As you well know, having a regular church job – at any level – can be a grind. The thing about Sunday is…it comes every week. No matter what. I’ve had regular jobs before, so I know what it can be like, especially if you’re doing “small church work” with a volunteer choir and less than desirable financial resources to support your work (or the work you want to be doing).

One of the aspects I really like about being a regular substitute or assisting organist, particularly in a metropolitan area as vast as Los Angeles, is the diversity of organs, churches, worship styles, and musical styles I get to experience. For sure, I have my favorite places to play, but every experience just continues to add to my abilities and confidence as a working musician. Of course, an unsolicited compliment is always a nice thing – as is being asked back!

Maintaining vocal health is crucial for voice actors, especially considering the demands of long recording sessions and tight deadlines. What practices or routines do you follow to ensure your voice is always in top condition?

Nothing too extreme or out of the ordinary. Stay hydrated, some vocal warmups, tongue twisters to help with a lazy tongue. Most of the work I do is not that vocally stressful. I have friends who do a lot of voices for video games and that can be very vocally taxing at times. Yelling, screaming, death cries, vocal efforts (being punched, stabbed, strangled, etc.).

Everyone’s voice is different and being aware of what your own voice needs to stay healthy is important. Like other parts of your body, your voice will change with age. Mine certainly has. Knowing how to use your voice to its best advantage is key.

With your vast experience in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring voice actors looking to establish themselves in the competitive world of voice acting, especially in today's digital age?

I’d say to know what you’re getting into and set realistic expectations. The business is very, VERY competitive. Did I mention that the business is also VERY COMPETITIVE? You’ll spend a lot of time auditioning and not getting paid. Understand that.

Take a group class so you can learn from others before doing one-on-one coaching. Do NOT record a demo before you’re truly ready. Any great recording engineer and producer can make anyone sound amazing! You need to be able to deliver the goods without the help of awesome audio design or a coach holding your hand while you record.

Finally, looking back on your journey as a voice actor and organist, what do you hope your legacy will be, and what impact do you aspire to have on the industry and those who follow in your footsteps?

As a voice actor, I’ve been primarily a journeyman, work-a-day talent. I’ve had a few gigs with a certain level of prestige attached to them, but not for long stretches of time. I also don’t do much animation or video game work, areas of the business that tend to be more “public forward” where an actor can acquire fans and followers.

When it’s all said and done, I think we all value the respect and admiration of our peers more than anything. Whether it’s in front of a microphone or on an organ bench, I hope I’ll be remembered as someone who always did his best and tried to deliver that consistently; as someone who was easy to work with and checked his ego at the door; who brought a sense of humor to a recording session, rehearsal, a practice session or a performance knowing that everyone else involved is trying their very best as well.

I’d like to invite you to stay connected with Classically Minded for more inspiring insights into the creative realm. Follow for future updates and share the magic of storytelling with your network.

Thank you for joining us on this exploration of the art of voice acting. Let's continue to celebrate the power of storytelling together.

Kindly,
Garrett John Law
Curator, Classically Minded