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EDUCATION•OPPORTUNITIES•YOUTH & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
News Releases
NOLA VOICE TALENT BRINGS "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" TO THE GULF COAST
NOLA VOICE TALENT BRINGS "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"
TO THE GULF COAST
== 11th Annual benefit to be held at Center Stage, Biloxi, December 7th and 8th, 2019 ==
Following ten years' success in New Orleans, The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation is bringing its production of "It's a Wonderful Life" to The Center Stage in Biloxi, MS.
Produced as a dynamic radio-play on stage, the production has wowed Holiday audiences in New Orleans for the past ten years - directed and produced by Stephen James, a Biloxi resident and Founder and CEO of the non-profit NOLA Voice Talent Foundation.
This will be the third production James will have presented in Mississippi by NOLA Voice Talent Gulf Coast, with two previous radio-play productions of The Whistler in Biloxi and Ocean Springs being a resounding success.
"It's a Wonderful Life" is based on the popular classic Christmas movie of the same name and adapted as a radio-play by New Orleans performer Vatican Lokey, a former member of NVT.
This year's production at Center Stage Biloxi will be a Holiday extravaganza, with classic cars lined up outside the theater and delicacies served in the foyer. Already cast as the leading lady is Saucier actor Alyssa Diamond as Mary Hatch Bailey, the tolerant wife of the wayward George Bailey. Saving George from his attempt to jump of the bridge at Bedford Falls is Clarence, played as an oafish Cockney by Stephen James, while the evil Henry Potter is played by international wrestling announcer and actor Paul Eubanks (Claws, Tell me Your Secrets, The Purge, NCIS:New Orleans).
With some of the casting already having been made, comprising members of Gulf Nights Radio Theater, part of NOLA Voice Talent Gulf Coast, auditions for remaining roles will be held on Monday, September 23rd (6.30pm) at the Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Hancock Whitney Bank, 880 Howard Avenue, Biloxi. (Date and venue to be confirmed.)
Wrestling legend PAUL EUBANKS wins Hollywood South EXTRAS AWARD.
August 8th, 2019
Wrestling legend PAUL EUBANKS has been award with the Hollywood South EXTRAS AWARD.
Not only did Paul receive the most nominations for this award, but his outstanding work in supporting the industry and the community at large makes Paul's award well-deserved, having worked hard to make his way in the movie and related industries; as well as in his dedication to non-profit organizations and service to the community.
Paul Eubanks is a retired professional wrestler and international sports commentator. Following personal tragedy, he has successfully forged a new career in acting and has appeared in many leading TV shows and movie productions, including several episodes of CLAWS and the movies POWER and TELL ME YOUR SECRETS, among others. Paul also played a lead role two years running in the internationally-broadcast annual fund-raising radio-play IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and he became a member of SAG-AFTRA towards the end of 2018.
Significantly, Paul is a dedicated servant to the community, serving tirelessly as a councilor for the charity Angel House, which supports victims of crime, as well as being thoroughly involved in raising funds for the movie and related industries and the community through the non-profit NOLA Voice Talent Foundation; while he also raises funds for families of retired, injured, or deceased wrestlers.
The Hollywood South Awards recognizes the work of individuals throughout the movie and related industries in Louisiana and Mississippi - the region known as Hollywood South - and who use their expertise to support the industry as well as the community at large.
You can join Paul Eubanks on the Red Carpet alongside Legends Award winner HARRY SHEARER and other stars from the spectrum of the movie industry in Hollywood South, at the 2019 HOLLYWOOD SOUTH AWARDS & NVT 10TH ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY BASH, Saturday September 7th 2019 (6pm-late) at the world-famous Cafe Istanbul Performance Theater in The Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117.
Tickets only $25, includes buffet. Bar available. Admission by advance booking only via www.HollywoodSouthAwards.info
View the full list of this year's awards at www.nolavoicetalent.org/awards-2019
HARRY SHEARER recognized with 2019 HOLLYWOOD
SOUTH LEGENDS AWARD
HARRY SHEARER recognized with 2019 HOLLYWOOD SOUTH LEGENDS AWARD
July 25th, 2019
Harry Shearer, longtime New Orleans resident, host of the
celebrated radio program LE SHOW for 35 years, famous for his many roles in the
animated TV production THE SIMPSONS and
the classic mockumentary THIS IS SPINAL TAP, has been awarded the Hollywood
South Legends Award at this year's Hollywood South Awards.
The awards are made to recognize individual talent and commitment to the movie,
theater, broadcasting, and voice-over industries in Louisiana and Mississippi.
The "Legends Award" is one of several Awards presented at the
bi-annual Hollywood South Awards, presented by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation.
Harry was deemed a worthy winner for his multiple and wide-ranging work in all
these industries and especially for his 35 years hosting Le Show - a mix of
satire, news commentary, music and sketch comedy, which has become a much-lauded
institution of public service broadcasting. The program originates from studios
on the campus of the University of New Orleans and is syndicated worldwide by
WWNO, New Orleans.
Harry Shearer is also known to audiences worldwide for his work on the TV
production THE SIMPSONS, in which he plays a stable of characters; most notably
Mr. Burns, Smithers, and Ned Flanders.
He also wrote and directed the film THE BIG UNEASY (2010), a documentary film
about the investigations into the causes of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans,
narrated by actor John Goodman, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Coolidge.
Movie audiences will know Shearer best for his collaborations with Christopher
Guest and friends. The most famous of these is the granddaddy of all
mockumentaries, THIS IS SPINAL TAP (with Rob Reiner and Michael McKean). Among
Shearer’s other film credits are REAL LIFE (co-screenwriter), THE RIGHT STUFF,
PORTRAIT OF A WHITE MARRIAGE (director), THE FISHER KING, GODZILLA, THE TRUMAN
SHOW, SMALL SOLDIERS, and DICK. He has also been a regular cast member on
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
Harry Shearer
The 2019 Hollywood South Awards will be presented at a special ceremony on Saturday September 7th 2019 at the world famous Cafe Istanbul Performance Theater, in The Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117. Full details and booking at www.HollywoodSouthAwards.info .
FULL HOUSES at Mid-week WORKSHOPS in New Orleans and Biloxi as NOLA Voice Talent develops as the region's leading resource for voice-over training.
April 2019
The WINTER/SPRING SEASON of "Find Your Best Voice" workshops has been a resounding success for students and organizers, with FULL HOUSE notices throughout the season in New Orleans.
As NOLA Voice Talent celebrates its TENTH ANNIVERSARY YEAR, and with more than 20 workshops through the first half of 2019, the program, organized by NOLA Voice Talent, has attracted novice and established voice performers alike from the length and breadth of the region - from the Florida panhandle to western Louisiana - to participate in the two-hour workshops sessions.
Many of the attendees have become regulars, some from as far away as Baton Rouge and Lafayette for the New Orleans workshops; and a few have been participating in the NVT workshops since soon after their inception in 2009; while several participants of the Biloxi workshops travel the short distance from New Orleans and surrounding areas to attend workshops there.
Session fees for the winter/spring term of 2019 have been frozen at only $20 each, and only $15 for Full Members of SAG-AFTRA.
Sessions are open to all by advance booking, and are held in secure and professional environments, 7pm-9pm on alternate Thursday evenings in NEW ORLEANS and BILOXI; hosted by leading voice coach Stephen James and shared in New Orleans with NVT accredited voice-over coach George Trahanis.
Full details of dates and venues, including location maps, at www.FindYourBestVoice.com
SELL-OUT for workshops tour as curtain rises on 10th Annual "IT"S A WONDERFUL LIFE" benefit
SELL-OUT for workshops tour as curtain rises on 10th Annual "IT"S A WONDERFUL LIFE" benefit
Stephen James' 2018 weekly tour of voice-over workshops
along the Gulf coast finished on a high note on Saturday November 17th with a
full house in BILOXI, MS. and with paricipants from places as far-flung as
Dothan AL., Pensacola, FL., and Lafayette, LA.
The workshops program was launched by Stephen on a volunteer basis in 2009 as a means of providing affordable education and opportunities for all performers, whether on-stage, on-camera, behind-the-mic, or professional executives.
This program soon became formalized under the banner of the non-profit The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation, and developed with the introduction of the Annual Benefit Radio-play production of "It's a Wonderful Life", its TENTH production to be staged before a live audience on December 21st, part-funded by session fees from Stephen's workshops.
This year's guest stars are NEW ORLEANS international movie actor LANCE NICHOLS, local AM radio talk-show host JEFF CROUERE, and international sports announcer and actor PAUL EUBANKS.
Since since the inception of the workshops program, Stephen has taught hundreds of students, produced scores of voice-over demos, and paved the way for several people to develop their careers as established performers.
Stephen's philosophy of using our talents to support youth and the community has also benefited many non-profit organizations around the region, and Stephen is anticipating a full house on December 21st for the tenth annual production of "It's a Wonderful Life" as the industry rallies to support his continuing efforts.
It's a Wonderful Life annual benefit radio-play on-stage will be on Friday December 21st, 2018 at Cafe Istanbul Performance Theater & Bar, 2372 Saint Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117.
Tickets are only $20 (balcony $25) and are available via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-wonderful-life-10th-anniversary-nola-benefit-live-radio-play-tickets-50539208132
Full details, including cast and crew, venue and location map, and sponsorship opportunities, are at www.WonderflLifeNOLA.com
STARS GALORE for 10th Annual Benefit Production of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE..!
Stephen James appointed to NANOE’s 2018 Board of Governors
Washington D.C. – 02/15/2018 –The National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen James to NANOE’s prestigious 2018 Board of Governors. James has been called upon to refine, improve, and strengthen New Guidelines for Tomorrow’s Nonprofit (Second Edition) a new set of governing guidelines that supercharge nonprofit capacity-building.
To learn more about NANOE’s 2018 Board of Governors please visit https://NANOEgovernors.org
NANOE National Director, Tracy Ebarb, shared, “Stephen has joined a working group that will peer-review a new set of capacity-building guidelines rooted in principles of moral agency, stewardship, freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, ethical practice, and transparency that supercharge charity. Stephen is one of society’s guardians who use their expertise to ensure everyone experiences a life worth living.”
NANOE’s Nominations Committee was co-chaired by Bishop Redfern II, Charlotte Berry, Kathleen Robinson & Tracy Ebarb. Nominees were suggested by members of AFP, CFRE, AHP, ASAE, CASE, United Way, National Development Institute, Nonprofit Associations, Industry Associations, and other local and national leaders.
James will be honored alongside fellow Governors March 26-27, 2019 in Charleston, SC at NANOE’s Annual Board of Governors Convention & Expo.
NANOE is our Nation’s only unifying legislative body comprised of Governors nominated from all 50 United States who oversee the codification of guidelines that govern sound charitable practice.
To learn more about NANOE please visit https://NANOE.org
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Tracy Ebarb, CFRE, CNE, CDE, CNC National Director, NANOE 712 H Street NE Suite 1149 Washington, DC 20002 team@nanoe.org (803) 808-5084
The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation is delighted to have donated over $600 to the Background Actors Guild from ticket revenues from this year's Hollywood South Awards.
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For further press information, or for interview, please contact:
Stephen James, Founder and CEO, The NATIONAL Voice Talent Foundation
Tel: 504-355-9673. Cell: 228-424-0544. Email: stephen@nolavoicetalent.org
--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
Stephen James appointed to NANOE’s 2018 Board of Governors
Washington D.C. – 08/15/2017 –The National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen James to NANOE’s prestigious 2018 Board of Governors. James has been called upon to refine, improve, and strengthen New Guidelines for Tomorrow’s Nonprofit (Second Edition) a new set of governing guidelines that supercharge nonprofit capacity-building.
To learn more about NANOE’s 2018 Board of Governors please visit https://NANOEgovernors.org
NANOE National Director, Tracy Ebarb, shared, “Stephen has joined a working group that will peer-review a new set of capacity-building guidelines rooted in principles of moral agency, stewardship, freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, ethical practice, and transparency that supercharge charity. Stephen is one of society’s guardians who use their expertise to ensure everyone experiences a life worth living.”
NANOE’s Nominations Committee was co-chaired by Bishop Redfern II, Charlotte Berry, Kathleen Robinson & Tracy Ebarb. Nominees were suggested by members of AFP, CFRE, AHP, ASAE, CASE, United Way, National Development Institute, Nonprofit Associations, Industry Associations, and other local and national leaders.
James will be honored alongside fellow Governors March 26-27, 2019 in Charleston, SC at NANOE’s Annual Board of Governors Convention & Expo.
NANOE is our Nation’s only unifying legislative body comprised of Governors nominated from all 50 United States who oversee the codification of guidelines that govern sound charitable practice.
To learn more about NANOE please visit https://NANOE.org
--END--
Tracy Ebarb, CFRE, CNE, CDE, CNC National Director, NANOE 712 H Street NE Suite 1149 Washington, DC 20002 team@nanoe.org (803) 808-5084
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New Orleans voice-over non-profit goes national
The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation has
expanded to become The NATIONAL Voice Talent Foundation. The Foundation will retain its identity as The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation for all its programs and activities in Louisiana, while activities along the Gulf coast will form the first regional branch: The NATIONAL Voice Talent Foundation – Gulf Coast.
The expansion of the organization marks the
eighth anniversary of The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation, which prolific voice actor and award-winning voice coach Stephen James founded in New Orleans in 2009 after
moving to the city partly as his response to the devastation of hurricane
Katrina.
Said Stephen James: “I was in England when Katrina hit what I even then termed
“my city”. I knew then that I would at some time be in New Orleans to play a just
a small part in helping with the regeneration of this magnificent city.
James has since moved to live in Biloxi, MS in preparation
for his retirement, yet has still developed The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation in
and around New Orleans as the leading resource in the region for voice-over
education and opportunities, and where he has been instrumental in encouraging
voice performers, including stage and screen actors, to utilize their talents
in support of the community.
Among the programs which Stephen James has instigated through The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation have been the annual New Orleans and region benefit production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a radio-play (this December the Foundation will be holding its NINTH annual production) and the annual NVT Awards to recognize performing individuals’ commitment to the community – this year’s annual gala being the fifth and is being re-named “The NVT/BAG Hollywood South Awards” in conjunction with the Background Actors Guild. James has also provided youth support under the Foundation's banner through workshops in Central City, New Orleans, and at Boys & Girls Clubs Gulf Coast. Further programs in Tallahassee, FL and Jackson, MS are currently being organized
.
“We have already been providing workshops in Biloxi and
Ocean Springs, MS., as well as in Jackson, MS., Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL,
and with great interest from the performing communities in those areas,” said
Stephen James. The Foundation has donated a portion of the session fees to
local non-profits, which, Stephen explains, is a significant part of the
Foundation’s mission: “We are blessed with some amazing talent throughout the
region. It is all about giving: using the gift of our talents to support the
community. We are delighted and excited to be able to expand our activities beyond Hollywood South and across all the Gulf coast states."
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For further press
information, or for interview, please contact:
Stephen James, Founder and CEO, The NATIONAL Voice Talent Foundation
Tel: 504-355-9673. Cell: 228-424-0544. Email: stephen@nolavoicetalent.org
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March 24th 2017
NOLA Voice Talent aims to establish resource center in New Orleans
A resource center for voice and other performers is among development plans released today by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation.
The center, proposed for the Garden District in New Orleans, will comprise rehearsal space, meeting room, recording booth, and office, for the use of members and the community, according to Stephen James, founder and Chief Executive of The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation, and is subject to sufficient funds being raised from donors, grants, and sponsors.
The Foundation was launched in 2009 initially to provide affordable workshops for voice performers in New Orleans, and has since developed into a non-profit organization providing education and opportunities for all acting performers, whether on stage, on screen, or behind the microphone.
Among the programs organized by NOLA Voice Talent are the annual “NVT Awards”, recognizing individual talent and commitment to the movie, theater, broadcasting, and voice-over industries in Louisiana and dubbed by some “the Oscars of Louisiana”, and the annual benefit production of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, performed as a radio play in front of a live audience, now preparing for its ninth year of production.
The Foundation has also provided free education for aspiring junior performers. Having previously run Saturday morning classes in Central City, NOLA Voice Talent has launched a similar series of classes in conjunction with Boys & Girls Clubs Gulf Coast, beginning at D’Iberville, MS in April.
Said Stephen James: “2017 is a watershed year for The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation. The organization has grown from strength to strength and has been a great asset to the community. Our services have spread for small beginnings in New Orleans and have since spread to help the performing community as far afield as Lafayette, LA and Pensacola, FL.
“The establishment of a resource facility in New Orleans provides a physical amenity as a jewel in the crown at the center of the Arts community in Louisiana, Mississippi, and further afield, and further underscores the importance of the region as one of the leading film and related industries in the country.”
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For further information, and a copy
of the document for donors and sponsors, please contact:
Stephen James – Founder and
Chief Executive, The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation
stephen@nolavoicetalent.org Tel:
504-355-9673
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NOLA Voice Talent launches voice-over workshops for juniors at Boys and Girls Clubs Gulf Coast
A series of voice-over workshops for juniors has been launched by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation in conjunction with Boys & Girls Clubs Gulf Coast.
The workshops will be made available to Boys & Girls Clubs members at locations across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, beginning with the D'Iberville IP Center at 10444 Lamey Street, D'Iberville, where a series of three workshops will be held on April 5th, 12th, and 19th (4pm-5pm).
Conducting the workshops will be Stephen James, a prolific voice-actor and award-winning voice coach, who will provide Members of Boys & Girls Clubs Gulf Coast with coaching in voice techniques, working with scripts, and providing an insight into the business of voice-over and how to develop voice-over as part of their career as a performer.
Jwan Jordan, Youth Career Development Manager for Boys & Girls Clubs Gulf Coast, said: "We are delighted to join forces with The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation in providing this opportunity for our members and to developing this program along the Gulf Coast."
Added Stephen James, "This is an exciting opportunity for young people in the region to learn how to work with new skills and to help broaden their horizons, and we are looking forward working closely with Boys and Girls Clubs Gulf Coast in developing this program for the benefit of its members."
All members of Boys & Girls Clubs are invited to attend; they can sign up for the workshops at a Careers Fair to be held at the D'Iberville IP Center on Wednesday March 29th (4pm-6pm) where they will be able to meet Stephen James in person, or participants can register for the workshops by contacting Jwan Jordan at Jjordan@bgcgulfcoast.org
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Tel: 504-355-9673, Cell: 228-424-0544
The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation responds to "Variety" article about pay-to-play casting
New Orleans-based The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation has responded with full support of Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, who announced recently the filing of criminal charges against 25 people involved in five casting workshops, alleging that they charged aspiring actors for auditions in violation of state law, according to a recent article in the national showbiz publication "Variety".
Quoted from the article, Mike Feur said: “My office will continue to crack down on those who would take advantage of performers desperate for work.”
The non-profit Foundation provides education and opportunities for performers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and neighboring states - often loosely-termed "Hollywood South". Founder and Executive Director Stephen James echoed Feuer's words: "As a major center of film production, Hollywood South has a strong contingent of established and aspiring performers who are prey to pay-to-play casting schemes which exploit their dreams purely for profit.
"Performers need to be aware not to fall victim to such schemes and the appropriate State departments representing Hollywood South need follow the example of Los Angeles in rooting out such practices."
Stephen James also pointed out that online voice-over casting services were a different proposition: "The services provided online for voice-over talent are a legitimate service matching talent with clients on a job-for-job basis for an annual fee. This differs entirely with a casting agent who charges thousands of dollars to put talent in front of agents on a speculative basis."
Stephen James concluded, "Talent should always avoid paying up-front fees for casting and for agencies, or even for additional services exclusive to an agent, such as head-shots and demo-reels. This is a free market economy and talent should be free to do business wherever they wish."
http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/la-casting-workshops-charged-talent-scam-1201982958/
For further information, please contact:
Stephen James - Founder and Executive Director, The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation
stephen@nolavoicetalent.org
Tel: 504-355-9673, Cell: 228-424-0544
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and is registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State as a non-profit incorporation.
"Hollywood South Awards" and "Hollywood South Honors" are registered trade marks ® property of The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation, Inc.,