Libsyn Directory

S8E5: Laura Dickinson - Hard Work, Music, and Voice Acting

Successful Performercast by Kris Sheppard | Successful Performer Cast | Weekly Interviews with Professional Entertainers | Show Business, Showbiz, Performer, Magic, Magician, Juggler, Comedian, Musician

Release Date: 01/08/2016

S8E14: Joe Monti - Great Advice on Show Business

In my final interview here in this chapter of Successful Performercast, I have Joe Monti who gives us some valuable advice when it comes to show business and shares some stores from his career that will have you at the edge of your seat. ...

S8E13: Bill Gladwell - Stationary One Man Show

In this interview, Thought Reader Bill Gladwell who talks about the ins and outs of having his own stationary one-man, mentalism show and how he’s been able to make it a success. ...

S8E12: Al The Only - General Practice Magician

In this interview, Al The Only talks about how he's found success in being a "general practitioner" of magic. He also talks about how he came up with his brand of Al The Only. ...

S8E11: Steve Chezaday - Tips & Tricks from a Rockstar Magician

This week, I bring you an interview with Steve Chezaday who shares some advice and insights from his years performing full-time. Topics include dealing with clients, pricing, managing your money, and customizing and maintaining your props. There’s a lot insight to be gained from this chat. ...

S8E10: Angela Parrish - Multiple Streams of Income

This week I have singer/songwriter Angela Parrish who shares with us about the importance of having multiple streams of income and how she runs her business. She also talks about how she saved for and completely self-funded $20,000 to record her latest album, . ...

S8E9: Fantastick Patrick - Juggling, TV, & Generosity

In this episode, Fantastick Patrick talks about his juggling career which includes performing on TV, dealing with fear & failure, and having a mindset of giving. ...

S8E8: Tom Ameen - Building a Career as a Musician

In this episode, Tom Ameen talks about how he's built a successful career as a classical pianist. Topics include restaurant gigs, getting private parties, and selling albums. He also talks about his new solo piano Star Wars album, which is awesome! ...

Bonus: How are Jay Alexander & Christian Cagigal Building the Fog City Magic Fest?

I've invited back onto my show Jay Alexander and Christian Cagigal because they have been putting together a four-day festival of magic up in San Francisco called the Fog City Magic Fest and I wanted to get them on to talk to them about how they’re putting it together. They take us behind the scenes and talk about the nuts and bolts of how they're going about putting together this four-day festival of magic. ...

S8E7: Katie Marchese - Running a Magic Biz & Working with Her Husband

Last week I interviewed Mario the Magician. Katie is his wife and other half. She works with Mario as a team and handles all the business and marketing aspects of their business. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s essential for your spouse to be onboard and supportive of your entrepreneurial efforts, and this week, we’re diving into that very perspective! ...

S8E6: Mario the Magician - Generosity & Building His Own Props

In this episode, Mario the Magician talks about how he makes all of his own props. He also talks about generosity and gratefulness and how those play a part in his business. Mario is a magician who performs primarily on the East Coast entertaining children and their families. The thing that really makes him stand out is that he’s a creator and inventor, making all of his own props for his show including fun, educational robotics. He’s an advocate for the Maker Movement, STEAM/STEM educational initiatives, and can be seen on a recent episode of Sesame Street. He’s Buster...

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In this episode, voice actor and musician Laura Dickinson brings us insight into how she’s made it as a voice actor for Disney Animation and how good old fashioned hustle can really take you the distance.

Laura makes her living as a full-time musician, contracting for Disney providing singing voices for animated characters on Phineas & Ferb, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, and Sofia the First. Essentially, “your nine-year old daughter’s favorite singer.” You’ve also heard her voice on Pitch Perfect, Modern Family, and Supernatural.

When she’s not bringing her character acting talent, she’s also a frequent live performer fronting her own 17 piece big band and opening for names like Tony Bennett and Lyle Lovett.

She’s also recently released her debut album, One for My Baby – To Frank Sinatra With Love, which is a beautifully done and wonderfully arranged homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes.

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Interview with Laura Dickinson: Success Mantra

Happy to be here, easy to work with.

Voice Acting

• Talks about how she got involved working with Disney animation and voice acting.

• What it’s like collaborating with musicians and producers and being able to anticipate needs, etc.

• If you can find someone you can count on and work easy with, you’ll work with them forever.

• Challenges of singing in the voice of a fictional, cartoon character.

• Always tries to ask a lot of smart questions.

• Adaptability and flexibility are her biggest takeaways from working with Disney.

• Working on people’s “babies.” Creative pieces that their creators care about.

Failure Moment

Talks about how early in her career, not being as socially adept as she is now, she started talking trash about the show director and the casting director just as they walked in.

Favorite Success

Being a part of Phinneas & Ferb which opened up a lot of doors for her.

Exclusive Content for Patreon Supporters

The uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters and includes about 10 minutes of additional content.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.

In the Patreon-exclusive content you'll find:

• Talks about first band she had a part in and how she decided she wanted to become a professional performer.

• Talks about some of the things she did to start drumming up business in performing full time.

• You have to be ready to be told “no” all the time. Rejection is a big part of show business.

• Talks about why and how she formed her current band.

• Talks about some of the many factors that goes into booking a performance with her band.

Recommended books and resources:

Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!

Resources:

The Internet. It's amazing how helpful the internet can be for your business. Plus, make sure you have all your media in order on the internet so it’s easy for people to find and hire you.

The Voiceover Resource Guide

Books:

The Real Books for Musicians

Laura's New Album!

Check out Laura's new album, One for My Baby, to Frank Sinatra with Love!

If you're a Sinatra fan, you're absolutely going to love Laura's take on some of his most famous songs. I know covering Sinatra is gutsy undertaking, but Laura absolutely nails it!

Where can we find Laura Dickinson?

lauradickinson.com