now
June 2024-January 2025
A long delayed update... Life took an interesting turn once I got back from Japan last year. A loss in the family required me to step back from voiceover as I worked to get a multitude of affairs organized. That work will continue for a long time, BUT my love of VO is strong as ever, and getting back to it has been a source of comfort and much-needed distraction. Highlights from the second half of '24 included exciting projects in animation, audio description, dubbing, narration, and audio drama. 2025 will see a brand new audiobook (the sequel to 2019's MINDSLIP), plus the long-awaited releases of two projects I CAN'T WAIT to announce. My mindset: Keep moving forward and chipping away at the mountain.
May 2024
Finally returned to JAPAN for a two-week visit -- a jam-packed itinerary to seven cities that included the snow monkeys of Nagano, a stay in a lovely rural ryokan, hot spring baths, an emotional visit to Hiroshima, a thrilling Sumo tournament, and unforgettable dining and shopping. This time I was able to speak and read the language so much better than before! I truly felt at home and can't wait to go back.
March/April 2024
My audiobook NEVER BEEN BETTER was released! Leanne Toshiko Simpson's debut novel is getting wonderful reviews, with some nice feedback for the audio version as well. 😉 My favorite review might be: "Never Been Better is simultaneously educational, emotional, and eye opening... The audiobook was great too, as I both read and listened to this one. It's wrought with emotion and that really comes through in the narration. 10/10, man. 10/10."
The Turkish TV series I dubbed for Netflix also released: THANK YOU, NEXT. Episode 8 features a poignant scene with my character Oya at the 11:15 min mark.
February 2024
February started with a bang, doing more motion capture work for a AAA videogame coming in 2025! • Also wrapped recording for Season One of MARVEL MOVE's X-MEN: AGE OF ORCHIS. I've voiced Jean Grey for over a year now so this was bittersweet. Hopefully we'll have a Season Two, and Jean (or the Phoenix...?) will return! • My latest episode with Circle Round dropped on Feb. 6: THE LONE DRAGON 🐲 • More fun with dubbing work, this time for a Turkish TV series coming to Netflix, about a lot of really beautiful lawyers. Imagine! • KUNI is finally out! The text version was published in 2022, so it's good to see this intriguing book released in Audio form. 🇯🇵
December 2023/January 2024
A whirlwind of auditions to end the year and start the new one. Recorded for a new Italian series, MISS FALLACI. Dubbing American English over European actors -- speaking English -- is uniquely challenging. The level of precision required is intense! • Recorded the audiobook NEVER BEEN BETTER for Putnam Books, by Japanese Canadian author Leanne Toshiko Simpson. Very cool to narrate work by a fellow hapa* artist, voicing so many complex characters and accents. The audio version releases March 5. • At the Audio Description callback at SOVAS, was approached by representative from DELUXE about future work... more updates coming soon! 😉 Coming up: another sweet story for CIRCLE ROUND podcast!
* Hapa -- the Hawaiian word for “part” often used to describe anyone who's of part Asian descent.
October/November 2023
Finished initial recordings for the audiobook KUNI! Fascinating how audiobooks are a completely different animal from all other VO. I narrated, edited and mastered, and was proud to have ZERO pickups (corrections) for the English portion of the 5-hour book. To have the Japanese co-author compliment the chapter narrated entirely in Japanese was deeply gratifying (even if the Japanese proofreader had a few tiny fixes). The audiobook releases February 27. • Thrilled to book my first performance capture gig for a AAA videogame! NDA so 🤐 till 2025. • Recorded more cute BUNNAMIGOS episodes 🐰 • Supplied 2 voices for a hilarious new project for AMAZON GAMES. Can't wait to share the titles when they're finally released in 2025 • Coming up is my live callback in front of an audience at the SOVAS "That's Voiceover" Expo in LA. (See below) I'm one of 5 Finalists selected for the Audio Description casting call where 2 winners will be hired for real Audio Description work.
September 2023
In addition to more BUNNAMIGOS, I was happy to record two very cute stories with CIRCLE ROUND, one of the top Kids & Family podcasts in the country. I appear in The Stork King and Heart & Stone. • The next few weeks will be busy recording, editing, and mastering an audiobook for North Atlantic Books titled KUNI, about revitalizing villages in rural Japan. Had to brush up on my Japanese for this one -- there's a chapter entirely in 日本語 • Entered a contest through the Society of Voice Arts & Sciences to win a spot at a live callback, in the rapidly growing field of Audio Description. Five finalists will be announced next month. • Also had great coaching sessions with the brilliant voice actors Mick Wingert and Bob Bergen.
August 2023
We've been busy this month recording MARVEL MOVE's X-MEN: AGE OF ORCHIS as the app prepares to launch on August 30. Look at this beautiful new artwork! Can't wait to hear the finished product.
Also the Netflix comedy DREAM about a Korean soccer team is out now on Netflix. I voice the English version as Jin-Ju, a sensitive young woman on the spectrum.
July 2023
A huge thrill this month at San Diego Comic-Con! During a MARVEL panel, a sneak peek of MARVEL MOVE was played for a packed house and I suddenly heard my voice filling the room. My inner nerd was flipping out and the reception by the crowd was great. After attending Comic-Con for years, hearing myself as part of a real panel was amazing. Also got to meet the wonderful Ryan Penagos, the Marvel creative exec working on the project. Recording has resumed for the next episodes in the X-MEN: AGE OF ORCHIS series! Can't wait for them to release this summer in the ZRX app.
SAG-AFTRA went on strike on July 14 and I stand with my fellow members in our fight for fair contracts, streaming revenues, protections from AI, and many other issues. Read Why We Strike!
June 2023
Did a quick dub for an upcoming Netflix film titled DREAM, and a fascinating documentary I dubbed in March released on Netflix this month. KING OF CLONES is the story of the Korean scientist who shook the world with his controversial research into human cloning. • And after a long pause, the next episodes of MARVEL MOVE's X-MEN: AGE OF ORCHIS will be recording soon! Many new additions to our growing list of awesome characters, voiced by outstanding voice actors.
May 2023
The first 3 episodes of X-MEN: AGE OF ORCHIS are recorded for MARVEL MOVE! So fun to finally meet my director Ella and some fellow actors in the series (via zoom). It's amazing how we're spread across 2 continents. Ella in London, Wolverine in Vancouver, Storm in the Bronx, Cyclops in Dallas -- with many more characters yet to be announced!
April 2023
MARVEL MOVE is here! The live-action trailer finally dropped announcing this fantastic new project and I'm voicing the iconic X-MEN character JEAN GREY -- and I can't believe I even typed those words. (See updates from Jan. 2023 and May 2022 below) Marvel Move is an interactive fitness adventure for smartphones, and will be featured in the ZRX app launching this summer. Jean plays a central role in the storyline titled X-MEN: AGE OF ORCHIS. We recorded Episodes 1-3 this week and it was a BLAST. It's surreal to be a tiny speck floating in the Marvel universe. 🤯
January/February 2023
Amazing news! The project I auditioned for in MAY last year finally came through and I'll be working again with my pals at Six To Start. Can't announce it yet... but it's "an ambitious, multi-season dark fantasy audio drama... [an] epic continent full of clashing magic and roving heroes..." Just recorded the VO for the live action trailer -- and it's going to be AWESOME.
Also ~ another gig for La Jolla Playhouse, reading new scripts for the Veterans Playwrighting Workshop. As the daughter of an Air Force officer, it felt good contributing to the military community in a small way. 🫡 Aaaaand the promo video I recorded for LG last month is out!
March 2023
"We're here, everyone!" Happy to announce BUNNAMIGOS is now live! A new travel podcast for kids, where 4 curious bunnies (with me as BunBun) discover new cities, cultures, foods and friends. Join them as they hop around the world on epic adventures. The first episodes are out now and available on all podcast platforms. Also did more dubbing for an upcoming documentary on Netflix, title TBA!
November/December 2022
I was invited for a quick little gig with La Jolla Playhouse, reading stage directions for a new play as part of their DNA New Work Series. Very cool watching Artistic Director (and Tony winner) Christopher Ashley work up close. Then in December, a nice surprise booking for a job I auditioned for 2 months earlier! Corporate narration for LG, about futuristic technology like a washing machine that uses NO water. (What?!) Working remotely with the director in Seoul was a breeze.
October 2022
Voice matching! A fascinating aspect of VO that I got to dip my toe into, matching the voice of Oscar winner Linda Hunt for an episode of NCIS: LOS ANGELES on CBS. Matching a voice starts with matching an actor's entire physicality and I loved the challenge. • Also had a chance to support my community by voicing a character in J-TOWN: A VISUAL NOVEL. This grassroots project provides a friendly crash course into Japanese American culture through a fun, educational video game.
Linda Hunt as "Hetty" in NCIS: Los Angeles
September 2022
Back to the studio to record another 4 episodes of BUNNAMIGOS! This delightful new podcast teaches kids about world cultures and is just super cute. Every episode focuses on a different city, and for Tokyo I got to play four very different characters as the "bunny amigos" look for adventure: an intellectual bunny, a train conductor mole, a raccoon sumo wrestler, and an elderly crane.
August 2022
Took a trip to Alberta, Canada and was blown away by the soaring beauty of the Canadian Rockies. The photo on my homepage is of Waterfowl Lakes in Banff National Park and the water actually is that incredible turquoise color. My spirit was renewed hiking through fragrant forests above glacier-fed lakes, beneath deep blue skies and snow capped mountains. And got to fulfill a dream -- kayaking on Lake Louise at sunrise.
Lake Louise at sunrise. Click to expand
July 2022
So proud to see ASSASSINS honored by StageSceneLA! As part of the team that brought this acclaimed production to life at East West Players (see below), we were recognized for BEST PRODUCTION, Outstanding Lead Ensemble, Outstanding Featured Ensemble, and multiple honors for individuals in Direction, Performance, Music, and Design.
May/June 2022
A bit of dubbing with NETFLIX for the K-drama TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE. You can hear me at the top of episode 16, and here & there throughout the series. • Also recorded a very exciting (TBA) project with my pals at Six To Start, a brilliant game developer based in the UK. As the creators of ZOMBIES, RUN! they've kept me busy on multiple projects over the past 2 years. Have a listen... • Got very sweaty in another intense class with the Mocap Vaults: "Heroes & Monsters." A physically and mentally challenging day learning the art of Motion Capture, topped off with some serious zombie work!
April 2022
After recording FLIP & MOZI'S GUIDE TO HOW TO BE AN EARTHLING for Tinkercast/Wondery last year, I was honored to be invited back for another terrific program, WHO, WHEN, WOW! which takes kids on a "journey into the lives of unsung heroes, unknown heroines and amazing humans who make us say “WOW!" I play the first woman to summit Mt. Everest, Junko Tabei. As an Everest buff I especially enjoyed recording her inspiring story. • Had a blast learning about motion/performance capture with The Mocap Vaults. Such the polar opposite of voiceover... I'll definitely be training more in this fascinating craft.
February/March 2022
My debut at EAST WEST PLAYERS -- the nation's premiere Asian American theatre. Thrilled for it to be the brilliant Sondheim musical, ASSASSINS. It was such a joy to be back after a two year break! Originally scheduled to open in March 2020 but shut down by the pandemic, the team reunited to bring this timely piece back to life in a powerful production.
Free Press - "... this imaginative, harrowing, gallows humor-type production marks the triumphant return of one of L.A.’s finest theaters... [with] rabblerouser Emma Goldman (well-played by the droll Kym Miller)."
Los Angeles Times - "...disturbingly timely... this encounter with “Assassins” left me shaken — which is perhaps the highest compliment that can be paid to the show."
Broadway World - "ASSASSINS Shoots to Thrill. ...a winner - visually, musically and across the board... Desai's production is end-to-end joyfulness."
TicketHoldersLA - "...the quartet [with] Kym Miller...knocks the show-stopping “Something Just Broke” right out onto [the street]...."
South Pasadenan - "...funny, touching, and deeply relevant... experiencing this show is electrifying and thought provoking. The entire cast is perfection..."
StageSceneLA - "...ensemble members [in] assorted cameos, most notably Kym Miller’s as anarchist Emma Goldman. ... This one is so good, it could and should go directly to Broadway."
TheatreMania - "...exemplary stagecraft and a committed cast make this a must-see production."
A lil blog about Projects past, present, and future. Beginning from February 2022 onward. Newest at the top!