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“Congratulations, Dear.”
You’ve Found Your Voice.
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By Debbe Hirata, March 30, 2025
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My career in broadcast communications began 52 years ago when I was in my senior year at Gonzaga University. As one of the very first women interns at NBC affiliate KHQ-6, I was assigned to the Promo Department as a writer/producer. 3 weeks into the internship, I was hired full-time.
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Never, ever in my early career as a 21-year-old intern could I have imagined an evening as magical and wonderful and meaningful as the night of the Voice Arts® Awards at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York on November 9, 2014, where James Earl Jones would receive the very first, “Voice Icon Award.” Little did I realize what I was in for … a night that foretold the unimaginable magic that was still to come.
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I had heard about the work Joan Baker and Rudy Gaskins were undertaking in founding the non-profit Society of Voice Arts & Sciences (SOVAS™) from my dear friend, Pat Fraley. Eager to learn more about this dynamic couple, I asked them if I could take them to dinner as I was in New York visiting my son. They agreed!
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At this time, I was working as a Union independent voice artist in Seattle, Washington. I had seen the voice over business collapsing right before my eyes. Corporations were challenging the SAG AFTRA rules they had been following and basically broke the Union in the Seattle market. Prior to that, Seattle had been a strong SAG AFTRA market, and my agent booked me at double scale. I saw jobs going to FIVERR, and the emergence of dishonest play-to-pay sites as my earnings dwindled. When would it ever stop? Would this beloved, vital art form of storytelling become a thing of the past? What form would it take?
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In stepped Joan and Rudy.
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Over dinner they shared their dedication to teaching voice actors the art of voiceover and providing on-going education and opportunities to meet coaches, agents & directors to help voice actors to get work, while pursuing excellence in their craft. I was ALL in. I entered two pieces of work into the very first Voice Arts® Awards: one a new promo demo, the other my husband encouraged me to submit … narration of the documentary film, “Return of the River.” I won my first Voice Arts® Award for Narration of the “Return of the River” and Joan Baker, no less presented it to me. Here’s my acceptance speech:
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As I walked off the stage I couldn’t believe my eyes … there before me stood Rudy Gaskins with James Earl Jones who took my hand and kissed me on the cheek whispering in his gentle voice, “Congratulations my dear.” How he honored me. Now it is my turn to honor him.
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For only the second time in its founding The Society of Voice Arts & Sciences™ is launching an important campaign, honoring one of the most extraordinary voices in history and celebrating the very best among us: James Earl Jones.
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With the permission of the James Earl Jones Family Estate, we’re proud to establish the James Earl Jones Prize. This annual award will recognize a voice actor whose body of work embodies the artistry, excellence, and cultural impact that Mr. Jones represents.
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James Earl Jones is more than a legend in voice acting. He is the pinnacle of what all performers strive for. His voice has defined cinematic history, shaped cultural moments, and set the highest standard for bringing words to life.
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In the last 11 years so many of us have been nominees or recipients of a Voice Arts® Award, and if he could, I’m most certain, if you were the one walking off the stage Mr. Jones would most certainly take your hand and whisper, “Congratulations, dear.”
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Once again, I truly thank Joan & Rudy for their unstoppable, hard work in founding SOVAS™. They have created something for ALL of us that is so meaningful and vital to our community. Please join me and share your comments on how SOVAS™ has meaningfully touched your lives for the better.
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This is our moment to lift up the best of OUR COMMUNITY. Join us in making this historic tribute a reality with your donation of support today.
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In his acceptance speech of the Icon award, Mr. Jones said, “There is magic in the human voice.” His magic is the spark that encourages us always. This is our moment to carry James Earl Jones’ legacy forward by recognizing those who follow in his footsteps.
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James Earl Jones, you will always be loved, and cherished for all time. ♦♦♦
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Debbe Hirata is an award-winning voice actor of national and international distinction. Her fresh, contemporary range gives voice to Fortune 500 ads with as much verve as it delivers for arts & entertainment content. Her acute awareness of storytelling enhances the creative process as she follows the lead of the director to create dynamic voiceover performances that bring words and images to life. The same is true for her narration for TV and film.
Ultimately, it is Debbe’s nimble interpretive skills, commitment to collaboration and her willingness to take risks that make her work unique. Debbe has received ten Voice Arts® Awards from the Society of Voice Arts & Sciences™ since its inception in 2014. Visit Debbe at DebbeHirata.com
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