We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kandis Boone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kandis below.

Kandis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk about keeping costs under control when growing. How have you managed to keep costs from getting out of control?

I am a performer, and I always have been. I knew it was the future I wanted for myself from 8 years old, and I’ve never wavered in that. However, I did not get a degree in theatre or vocal performance. My degree is in Communications with a focus on audio design and marketing. Using the skills I learned at a collegiate level, I was able to graduate and fully complete all the necessary tasks needed for my career. I knew how to edit my video reel, edit all my audio materials, edit my headshots if necessary, create my own website, and market my business. I know these skills have saved me thousands of dollars over the years by not having to outsource those services.

Kandis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I’m Kandis Alayne Boone, and I am a voice over artist, singer, and actress. I’ve been honing my crafts for two decades! (Before anyone is too impressed, I’m only 29, but I think 9 is as good a time as any to start working towards your future.) Musical theatre and film/television were my first loves, and I still cherish every opportunity I find to work in those mediums, but through Covid I found my sweet spot in the world of voice over. To name a few of my absolute favorite jobs to date, I have been fortunate enough to record 45 vocal tracks for Fisher Price toys, voice 5 characters on Season 1 of the new YouTube animated series, “Squishville” (á la the Squishmallow craze), narrate a series of guided meditations for The Meela App, and narrate a new show coming to The Magnolia Network next year.

I believe that my passion for voice acting and vocal recording is the culmination of many different loves that are allowed to all come together in that space.

I’ve been singing my whole life, and I was fortunate enough to record my first cover album at 10 years old. That early studio exposure planted a seed that bloomed fully 12 years later when I discovered the world of audio design at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. My family convinced me to get a “real degree” halfway through my Theatre major, and I switched to Communications. To be clear, I believe 100% that Theatre is a “real degree” and I often find myself wondering what would have happened if I had stuck with it. However, my Communications degree left me with so many important skills as an actor. After graduating I had the skill set to edit my own film reel, audio reel, build my own website, edit my own headshots, and market myself with academic strategy. Doing all of that on your own might not be ideal for some, but as a young artist I was so thankful to have the ability to hustle and save my very limited penny’s.

Aside from being in love with the technical process of recording and editing, I absolutely adore the freedom that I find in voice over work. I don’t consider myself an unattractive person, but I do whole heartedly know that my look affects the type of roles I can play for theatre, film, or television. In voice over though, my voice is my only limit. In my Squishville contract I got to be a southern hippo, a valley girl cat unicorn, a nerdy nasally octopus, a courageous fox, and a slow talking sloth! If variety is the spice of life then voice over makes my life SPICY, and I love that!

As a “business” I would say the Kandis Alayne Boone “brand” is built around genuine love for my craft, playful collaboration with everyone I work with, and absolute hustle. I love my work, and I love for others to love to work with me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There’s an old saying, I’m sure you know it, “if want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Well, I’ve certainly lived that a few times in my life. First, when I was 18 and CERTAIN that attending SCAD was my surefire path to achieving all my dreams. When financial aid fell through two weeks before I was to start classes (a long story for another time) and I had stay home and enroll in community college, I cried and cried and cried. In an effort to cheer myself up I auditioned for a community theatre production of Beauty and the Beast. I was cast as Belle and the Beast is now my husband. That’s just the pre-story to my big story, though.

In 2012 (1 year after not getting to go to SCAD and 9 months into dating my now husband) I was diagnosed with APL leukemia. My world just stopped. I went from being a very healthy, VERY active 19 year old, to being confined to a hospital room or my home for the next 9 months. Without getting too deep into the experience, I can say that I went into my diagnosis as one version of myself and I came out the other side a new version.

I can’t say for certain which version is “better,” but the new version was quicker to listen than to speak, more cautious, less vain, more appreciative, and had access to an entirely new arsenal of emotions. As an actress it changed me, as a “business” it changed me, and of course, as a human being, it changed me.

Every academic, business, personal or artistic decision I have made since 2012 I have made as a “survivor,” and for that I count myself very blessed.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m ashamed to say it, but sometimes I can be a little stubborn. Early in my acting career I had a teacher tell me that I should take a year and not act. Just get a job that paid well, save as much money as possible, and then when I had a nice little nest egg get back into auditioning. She said that this would make it easier to enjoy the work, and that desperation was a smell casting directors could pick up from a mile away. If I was relying on every audition to provide me with my living expenses then my need for the role would overwhelm my freedom as an actress.

Well… I WAS desperate to be an actress and 100% ignored that advice. I proceeded to run my mental health into the absolute ground and despite my best efforts not to, I’m certain that a majority of my auditions carried that scent of desperation.

I had convinced myself that if I got a full time job it would be me admitting defeat to being a “real actress.” So, I worked 4-5 side jobs for years that I could leave at a moments notice if I were to book a gig.

After 3 years of self inflicted mental and emotional torture, Covid stepped in and forced me into a new perspective. Since nothing was being filmed I finally accepted a full time position when it was offered to me in 2020. For the first time I had financial stability and allowed myself to explore my abilities in a new field. Turns out, I’m capable of many different interests, and I can find fulfillment in many different ways! Go figure!

For the first time in a long time I let up on the vice grip I’d had on my identity as “an actress” and I started to see myself as a whole person.

Then, as audition opportunities and voice over jobs began popping up I went into them without the panic of needing to book for money. I only auditioned for projects I truly connected with, and guess what, I started getting the jobs I’d always wanted. I started to remember why I wanted to be an actress at all in the first place! I love ACTING! I don’t love money. I don’t love panic. I DON’T love existential crisis. I love escaping into a character, and having the freedom to play.

So, moral of the story, listen to your teachers people!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.KandisAlayneBoone.com
• Instagram: @kandisalayne
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kandis.alayne.boone
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kandisalayneboone
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPgidG0tBkQtXzIK-PVaJ3w