We were lucky to catch up with Christy Harst recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
For years, I’ve been trying to break into male dominated sports voice over promo, but despite top-notch training and creative marketing, I made little headway.
During an online workshop with a prominent promo talent agent, I asked what my chances were to voice a promo for male dominated sports. She was honest: not so much. She explained that while there are opportunities for women in male sports promo, they are few and far between. She urged me to make my own path.
If there isn’t even a door for me to knock on, how can I get in? Frustrated, disappointed, and quite frankly angry I knew I had a choice to make. Either I give up on my goal of voicing for male dominated sports, or I build the door for not only me but for all women in my industry to have greater access to these opportunities.
So, on March 1, 2024, I launched the Building Doors campaign. I collaborate with female voice actors from around the world to voice ads traditionally done by men, encouraging brands and agencies to embrace gender diversity.
Building Doors isn’t about taking jobs from men—it’s about equity. My goal is to see 50% of male-dominated sports promos voiced by women. This won’t happen overnight, but I’m committed to making it a reality.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My voice over journey started in college when I applied for a news internship at a local classical radio station. During the interview the station manager told me I had a good voice, escorted me to the studio, asked me to read the Star Spangled Banner into a microphone, and pressed record. After I was done he played it back and said, “You’d do well in voice overs.” I didn’t even know what a voice over was, let alone how to get into the business. At the end of the internship, he gave me my first voice over job – a tag line for a commercial. My parents drove an hour to get in range to hear it on their car radio.
Fast forward to today and you have heard my voice on the World Series, Monday Night Football, and the NBA Finals as a national voice for YouTubeTV. I have also served as the officially national voice of John Deere. I work out of my home based studio in Cleveland, Oh.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Artists and creatives often pour their hearts into their work, facing rejection and uncertainty along the way. By offering them kindness, respect, and open communication, society can empower these individuals to continue creating and inspiring.
To support a thriving creative ecosystem:
Acknowledge Effort: Respond to emails, return phone calls, and engage with creatives, even if the answer is no. A respectful and timely response shows you value their work, even if it’s not the right fit at the moment.
Invest in Creativity: Support initiatives, projects, and platforms that give artists and creatives opportunities to showcase their talent. Whether it’s purchasing their work, attending their events, or funding programs, every effort counts.
Create Open Doors: Just as Building Doors strives to open spaces for women in male-dominated industries, we can all play a role in creating opportunities for those who might be overlooked. Share resources, make introductions, and advocate for inclusive practices.
Show Kindness and Encouragement: A kind word or thoughtful feedback can make all the difference to a creative who may be questioning their path. Encourage them as you’d hope to be encouraged in your own pursuits.
Ultimately, when we treat creatives with dignity and engage with their work sincerely, we nurture not just their individual growth but a richer, more inclusive cultural ecosystem for everyone.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
When was the last time you heard a woman voicing the promos leading up to the Super Bowl, a PGA tournament, or the World Cup? The answer is you haven’t. And that needs to change.
Did you know that 73% of male voice over actors claim they received 5+ auditions a year in male dominated sports? That leaves only 27% of female voice actors to claim the same.
That’s not equality, that’s disparity. And I want to change that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buildingdoorsvo.com
- Instagram: @buildingdoorsvo
- Linkedin: @christyharst
- Youtube: @christyharstvo