PRESS RELEASE
DES MOINES, Iowa — Award-winning voiceover artist Jessica Trinidad and Zuli Garcia of Knock and Drop Iowa will host Beyond the Mic, Iowa’s first voiceover conference, on Oct. 10 in Des Moines, offering Iowa youth free access to professional coaching, career guidance and hands-on voiceover experience.
Organizers said the conference was created at a time when Latino communities across Iowa are experiencing heightened stress and uncertainty connected to immigration enforcement. As young people in her community grew quieter and more afraid to be seen, Trinidad decided to respond with what she knows best: a mic and a vision.
“Young people are living under enormous stress and fear. This is a way to use their voice, literally, at a time when they feel hopeless and unseen,” said Trinidad.
During the conference, participants will explore commercial voiceovers, promos, trailers, narration, animation, video games, corporate training and e-learning. They will learn audition techniques and performance skills.
The event will close with a practice session where participants will read from a script and receive real-time professional-level direction from Trinidad and visiting industry leaders.
Sylvia Villagran and Erika Alcaraz will coach participants
Featured coaching will include Sylvia Villagran, the first woman to announce major award shows including the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars, and Erika Alcaraz, a talent agent at Sutton, Barth & Vennari who leads the agency’s Spanish voiceover division.
Villagran and Alcaraz will lead discussions and workshops and teach participants how to connect authentically with audiences across the country.
“Most people think of audiobooks and commercials, but voiceover is so much more,” Trinidad said. “I want these young people to see a future for themselves and come away with the tools they need to be successful.”
“Even though many of us may feel fear, sadness, anxiety, and uncertainty, we can’t let that stop us from planning for a secure future and career in a growing industry,” Garcia added.
Related: Des Moines’ Jessica Trinidad is breaking barriers in international voice acting from her Iowa home
Beyond the Mic will include live voiceover practice
The conference is designed to support emerging and underserved artists interested in careers in voiceover, acting, public speaking, writing and storytelling.
Participants will receive access to professionals who have built successful careers in the creative industry, along with opportunities to learn how voiceover work extends into commercials, animation, gaming, narration, e-learning, audiobooks and corporate media.
The hands-on portion of the program will allow participants to practice with a script and receive professional direction during a live voiceover session.
The Oct. 10 conference is free and requires advance registration
Beyond the Mic: Voiceover and Creative Careers Conference will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines.
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
- Time: 1–3 p.m.
- Location: Mainframe Studios
- Address: 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, Iowa
- Admission: Free
- Registration: Advance registration required; space is limited
Registration is free for young adults and emerging artists, but space is limited. Current registration information is available on the official Beyond the Mic conference page.
Community sponsors can support the free conference
Businesses, donors and organizations can help cover venue space, equipment, meals and participant scholarships.
Sponsorship benefits include event recognition, logo placement, social-media promotion and opportunities to connect with attendees and families. Sponsorship commitments are requested by Oct. 1, and donations are tax-deductible.
For information about becoming a sponsor, contact Dante Trinidad at [email protected] or 515-305-4054.
About Beyond the Mic Voiceover Conference
The Beyond the Mic Voiceover Conference was created to support, uplift, empower and inspire the next generation of artists to build a career through voiceover, acting, public speaking, writing and storytelling.
It will provide emerging and underserved artists with access to professionals who have built successful careers in the creative industry.
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