Sophie Chats With... Lara Crawford

Ms. Lara in her recording studio (All photos courtesy of Lara Crawford)

Lara Crawford, 51, lives in Fayetteville, Pa. She went to college at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md., for a bit, but quickly realized she could get the best training for what she was most interested in doing from The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. So, that’s what she did. She trained with them for four years. She went to Rockville High School, in Rockville, Md. 

Fun fact: she's ambidextrous. (In case you don’t know what that is: she uses both of her hands for different activities. She write with her right hand, but she uses her left hand for things like brushing her teeth, eating, opening jars, etc.) 

Ms. Lara portraying
Scarlett O'Hara

For how many years have you been acting/narrating, and what inspired you to take that path? 

I’ve been acting for as long as I can remember. That is, I’ve been “playing pretend” since I was a very little girl, just as you probably enjoy doing with your sister and friends. It always just felt natural and easy to “become” someone else for a while. I was probably nine when I first saw a play, and I was just in love with everything about theater and acting from that point on. I was eleven when I appeared in a staged play for the first time. It was a play called, I Remember Mama, and it was performed at my big sister’s college. She was in it, too! So, I’ve been acting for audiences for fifty years now. I can’t even believe that! I enjoy classical style acting the most, and love performing the works of William Shakespeare and the ancient Greeks. 

What was the first book you narrated, and how did you get involved?

One of Ms. Lara's narrations -
a collaboration with Mr. Ed!

The first book I narrated was a book called, The Mistress of Rosehaven. I really enjoyed it, because it was written very much in the style of some of my favorite authors of the nineteenth century. I had signed up with an online service called ACX, which is a place for authors and narrators to find each other. Almost as soon as I uploaded samples of my reading for authors to hear, the author of that book contacted me and offered me the job. I was quite surprised, as generally, narrators have to send in auditions to authors for their consideration before getting jobs. I was very excited! I had dreamed of narrating for years. ACX is still where I generally go to search for books I might be interested in narrating. However, I automatically get the job when it comes to narrating books by my favorite author, my fiancé, Edward, whom you know as your friendly neighbor, Mr. Ed! I absolutely adore narrating, and especially books for children! The most fun part of narrating for me, is creating every sort of character voice imaginable; from children to old people, to animals and even fantasy creatures! I also enjoy singing for audiobooks whenever I get the chance. I love singing! 

Have you had any other jobs in your life besides being an actor/narrator?

Yes! I’ve been a waitress, a telemarketer, an acting teacher and coach, and a nannie, but my favorite job of all was being the mom of my four amazing children: Tabitha, Emily, Lucy and William. Though, I have to say, that while being a mom was hard work, it was much much more a delightful, fun, rewarding, absolute pleasure! I’ve also been very lucky and honored to care for my grandchildren. I have five wonderful granddaughters, and my first grandson was born three months ago. I can’t wait to meet him and hug him. He lives all the way in Minnesota, as do three of my granddaughters. I’m very proud of, and absolutely adore all of them! 

What is your most recent project?

I’m currently preparing to narrate a fun story for kids, written by Edward. It’s called Sister Witches~The Call for Help. It’s about three sisters who are very good and kind (not scary) witches, who come to the aid of their dear uncle when some spooky things start happening around his mansion.

Ms. Lara and her fiance, Mr. Ed.

What has been getting you through the pandemic in your relatively new home of south-central Pennsylvania?

During this unusual time, I haven’t been able to work part-time as a nanny, which I really enjoy, and it’s been very frustrating being separated so much from family. Family time is my favorite thing in the world! To get through, it certainly helps to be able to enjoy phone calls, video calls, emails, etc., with them. I’ve also been doing some narrating, reading books, watching good series’ on tv, baking, cooking, thinking up ideas for new books with Edward, a little bit of gardening, decorating the house, taking walks, and collecting golf balls;) Mr. Ed and I really enjoy each other’s company no matter what we’re doing. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Tomorrow is my first day of second grade. I will be a little late on some posts.

___________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL SHOUT-OUTS

My mom and her awesome blog. since barely any one has checked it out, I HIGHLY recommend you check it out