Actor/Narrator
It's May???
5/14/2026
It's actually, MID-May. . .they don't lie when they say time goes faster as you get older. Today's quote on A.Word.A.Day matches my feelings lately: Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence. -Hal Borland, author and journalist (14 May 1900-1978)
As fast as time has been flying, it's been slow work-wise, which always gives me anxiety, so I have been using this extra time to tweak & update my website (those resumes were old!), look at classes/workshops/webinars to pour some inspiration & confidence into my body/brain, and work on my skills-- accents, languages, financial education.
I also work support gigs: events (bartending/cater server) and real estate (minor admin work), which have both been slow in addition to potential work in commercial/TV/Film (a major Chicago casting director told me at a callback last month that it's been an incredibly hard year for them so far). These things don't make me feel better, per se, but it does give me pause that it's not just the entertainment industry. Looking at the bigger picture while working on small goals is what I am focusing on during this down time-- and LINES!! I've been cast in a play!!! More info in the theatre section below.
On another positive note, I'm thrilled to announce the recent release of a public domain book I produced with Spoken Realms. It's been so easy to work with them that I've had a hard time going elsewhere when producing work in the public domain.
This one was a doozy (592 pages), but I LOVED recording it. We (the author and I) share a love of Chicago, which features prominently in the book, and given that I am her age at the end, I felt a connection to the heroine's constant reflection of her life choices and reasoning. I also had major frustrations with her. But isn't that what a good book gives you? Introspection and frustration with the flawed heroes? I was genuinely surpised at how well the book held my attention, given the year it was written and the fact that I hadn't heard of it prior to discovering the title while researching Early Autumn a few years ago. The story was like comfort food; an easy escape into life before social media & internet distractions.
Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes was a labor of love that I honestly hope people will listen to and then contact me to discuss it, not for feedback on my narration, but like a book discussion. I have codes for free audiobooks in exchange for a review, if anyone happens to see this! If you make this 21 hour commitment, I want to know how you felt about the novel-- so if you listen to or read it, let me know!
Audiobook NEWS:
They're Not Gaslighting You by Dr. Isabelle Morley was added to Audible's 2025 Audiobook Trends list! It was my first book with Podium Entertainment. I learned so much about therapy terms--and the subsequent misuse of those terms. It was interesting and relatable; right up my alley as a narrator!
In December, I was cast in my first multi-narrator audiobook with Punch Audio. Last spring,
I was fortunate to narrate The Good Goodbye by Maureen P. Keeley, Ph.D. and Julie M. Yingling, Ph.D.; a book designed to provide comfort and practical advice to people who are going through the approaching death of a friend or family family member.
Theatre NEWS:
I've been cast in another show! Third show in a row after an extensive unintentional break in the pandemic. It goes to show how long it has taken theatre to bounce back or maybe I'm the right age in the non-eq pool here, or maybe I'll just take the compliment that I've worked for this. More info soon, but Tongue of a Bird by Ellen McLaughlin will be onstage at The Greenhouse Theatre July 11th-Aug. 1st. I LOVE the role and the play and am thrilled to have that creative outlet right now.
There's no poster to share yet, so I'll just keep The Illusion here for now. 😜
Earlier this year, I was delighted and grateful to be cast in the role of Alcandre with Forest Theatre Company, in The Illusion, by Tony Kushner. The successful run, along with a stellar cast and crew, reminded me why I still pursue theatre.
TV/Film NEWS:
In October, I landed a role in a commercial with O'Connor Casting. It was fast and furious, but the timing couldn't have been better. In December, I took an awesome workshop through Forge Film Acting; John Pirruccello was delightful in his honest approach to the class, relaxed me with stories from his own experience, and encouraged us to pursue our "art" above all else-- something I've concluded as well, as I get older in this industry. Do the best with what you can control and keep doing you.
Life NEWS:
We're planning a trip to Germany this fall. My partner is an expert craft brewer, with a specialty in lagers. Life has been tough for the beer industry, but like my partner, I believe work ebbs and flows (like good beer!)-- if you keep pursuing what you love, the work will speak for itself and more work will come from your pursuit. Since I will be happy to vacation almost anywhere, I wanted a location that would support his passion for his chosen profession. We can't wait for the escape!
In the meantime, I love this pic of Raffi taken by our dog walker. Her head looks comically big, which is the opposite of real life where she has to wear a harness because her cute little head is too small and slips right out of her collar.
Hope this finds you sipping the sweet nectar of spring,
~AmyJ