March 2, 2020
We are delighted to announce that NOVA:The New Orleans Voice
Agency has embraced members of The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation into its
roster.
Effective immediately, ALL MEMBERS of NOLA Voice Talent will be given the opportunity to participate in open auditions from NOVA:The New Orleans Voice-over Agency.
EXISTING TALENT already on the NOVA roster will automatically be highlighted as FEATURED TALENT.
If you are not already on the roster, you have the opportunity to submit your professionally-produced demo for consideration as a FEATURED TALENT on the NOVA web-site. For full submission details and demo requirements, please go to https://www.neworleansvoiceagency.com/faq-talent
Talent who are already on the NOVA roster are encouraged to ensure they are listed as members of The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation (it's free to do so) at www.nolavoicetalent.org to ensure they are on the mailing list for auditions and other opportunities.
This development is part of Stephen James' longstanding efforts to promote the burgeoning movie and related industries in Louisiana and Mississippi: the region fondly referred to as Hollywood South, and which is the region covered by the local New Orleans branch of SAG-AFTRA.
NOVA:The New Orleans Voice Agency is currently in its TENTH year of operation, while The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2019.
Remarked Stephen, "The region has a wealth of voice-over and voice performing talent; not only from the South but also emanating from across the North American continent and overseas, who are resident here. My aim continues to be one of bringing recognition to this talent as a leading resource for producers and companies worldwide,to the benefit of the industry and the economy in Louisiana and Mississippi."
January 2nd, 2020
2020 kicks off where 2019 left off with continued
sold-out events
Over 40 Find Your Best Voice® workshops and four major productions are planned throughout 2020 by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation as its programs to support performers young and old, as well as the community-at-large, gain momentum throughout the region.
The first two mid-week voice-over workshops of 2020, in Biloxi and New Orleans, are already sold out, and a third workshop in Baton Rouge is attracting vigorous ticket sales. The mid-week workshops calendar for winter/spring will continue thru May in all three cities, and then from September thru November.
This pattern proved extremely popular with performers from stage, screen, and studio, all of them having been sold out throughout 2019.
For the 2020 Find Your Best Voice® mid-week workshops schedule, please go to www.FindYourBestVoice.com
PRODUCTIONS
The Foundation is working on no fewer than FOUR major productions throughout this year following the ongoing success of its annual benefit production of "It's a Wonderful Life" as a radio-play on stage over the past 11 years.
This year will see the Foundation's debut of a radio-play production of A Christmas Carol in New Orleans, while It's a Wonderful Life will be repeated by the Foundation's Gulf Coast Nights Radio Theater troupe this year in Biloxi, MS, having been a two-night sell-out on the coast in December 2019.
Using the original broadcast script, The War of the Worlds is scheduled for late spring, and provides the opportunity for performers to play more serious roles than the lighthearted Christmas productions which, incidentally, has given experience for over 200 actors from the movie and related industries in Hollywood South over the past 10 years.
And it doesn't stop there: the highlight of the year is the 2020 Hollywood South Honors®, organized by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation for its 8th time and with a new name, and scheduled for early September. Proceeds will go towards the Hollywood South Hall of Fame®, to be housed in the proposed South Louisiana Performing Arts Center in St.Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
The 2020 production schedule in summary (dates and venues to be confirmed):
Late Spring: "The War of the Worlds", Biloxi, MS.
Early September: The 2020 Hollywood South Honors®, New Orleans.
December: "It's a Wonderful Life", Biloxi; "A
Christmas Carol", New Orleans.
For details and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Stephen James at 504-355-9673, Cell: 228-424-0544
stephen@nolavoicetalent.org
November 19th, 2019
The proposed South-east Louisiana Performing Arts and Education Center in St. Tammany Parish, LA, is to be the venue for the Hollywood South Hall of Fame® .
The Hall of Fame will be the jewel in the crown of the South-east Louisiana Performing Arts and Education Center, which will also house a 450-seat theater, a smaller studio theater, a green-screen filming studio, a sound recording studio with voice-over sound booths, classrooms, a library, and conference rooms and offices, among its facilities.
Dave Alspach, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South-east Louisiana Performing Arts and Education Center, is excited about the latest development of the project, which is sure to attract the attention of major investors. Said David, "To have the Hollywood South Hall of Fame® housed within the complex is a great boon, not only to the center, but also to St.Tammany as well as the surrounding region.
"Hollywood South is and has been a booming industry and will only get bigger. At last the public will be able to see first-hand just the enormity of the movie and related industries in the region, including Louisiana and Mississippi."
The Hollywood South Hall of Fame ® is the brainchild of Stephen James, a board member of the South-east Louisiana Performing Arts and Education Center and Founder and CEO of the non-profit The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation, which has provided education and support to performers in the movie and related industries throughout the region, as well as to youth and the community, for over ten years.
The Hall of Fame will exhibit the stars of Hollywood South past, present, and rising; and will pay tribute also to the unsung heroes of the film and related industries in Louisiana and Mississippi, who put so much into the development of the industry.
Exhibits are expected to include awards and trophies, costumes and memorabilia from leading Hollywood South movie and video productions, as well as screenings of classic productions from the region. Stars from around the region will also be presented in special events, and the venue will also host the annual Hollywood South Honors® (formerly the Hollywood South Awards®) organized by The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation, as well as other major events. The venue will also be the headquarters for The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation.
Said Stephen, "The proposed South-east Louisiana Performing Arts and Education Center, situated in St.Tammany Parish provide the ideal venue for the Hollywood South Hall of Fame®. Road links to and from St.Tammany are first-class, putting the center within a virtual 'stones throw' of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Jackson, MS., and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"Not only will the center draw visitors from around the neighboring states but will also provide the an amazing resource for the performing arts community and the community at large in south-east Louisiana and further afield."
For details and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Stephen James at 504-355-9673, Cell: 228-424-0544
stephen@nolavoicetalent.org
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.)
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
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
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
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
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
--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
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
_________________________________________________
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.”
ends)-
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
________________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________