Award-Winning Nonprofit

AVA
Neurodivergent Voice Actors

Project-based voice acting for neurodivergent adults — build real skills on real creative projects.

Same AVA. Wider stage.

Our mission is to empower neurodivergent adults in the voiceover industry, redefine the creative community, and inspire positive change in the way society perceives and embraces neurodiversity.

Our Story

Same AVA. Wider stage.

Our Story, card one

What happens when an experienced voiceover actor and instructor meets an autism coach? AVA. Robin Brooke (SAG-AFTRA) and Heidi Hackney (PCC) first connected in 2023, and with their combined skill set and shared passion, Autistic Voiceover Artists was born.

AVA's original goal was to decrease barriers and increase opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum — but from day one, AVA drew strong interest from people across all forms of neurodivergence. Guided by a purpose of real inclusivity, we opened our doors to anyone within the full spectrum of neurodiversity.

Our Story, card two

One thing that has distinguished AVA from other voiceover programs: in addition to building voice acting skills and confidence, we have offered monthly coaching sessions that support our members in other areas of their lives. With a professional life coach at the table, we have watched the combination of shared experience, mutual support, and genuine friendship grow our community in a way that is truly wonderful.

Over the past year we noticed something. Teaching voice acting skills within a collaborative, project-based environment — rather than a traditional classroom — was a game changer. A project provides something tangible: a finished product, validation of everything learned, and the ability to say "Look what I've done."

Our Story, card three

We also heard from our community. For some, the words "class" or "school" carried bad memories of exclusion or bullying. Our focus is now on projects supported by workshops, not the other way around. Those who were not autistic could not fully identify with "Autistic Voiceover Artists." In surveys, many preferred "Neurodivergent," and most chose "Voice Actor" over "Voiceover Artist." And so, Neurodivergent Voice Actors was born. Recognizing that today's economic climate is genuinely harder for many of our members, we also lowered our membership fee by 40%.

Whether you want to join a project as an AVA Actor, sponsor a production, or hire AVA Studios to bring your project to life — we hope you will join us in redefining the creative community, and in inspiring positive change in the way the world perceives and embraces neurodiversity.

With Gratitude and Appreciation,

Team AVA

How AVA Works

Four ways AVA brings neurodivergent voice actors together to make real things.

01

Projects

Character creation, table reads, rehearsal, mic technique, auditions, and guided remote recording — leading to a finished, shareable production and real portfolio material.

02

Workshops

Live online sessions that supplement the skills each project needs: Acting for the Mic, Auditioning for Success, Scenes & Dialogue, Voicing Villains, Fantasy vs. Sci-Fi, and more.

03

Collaboration

Shared visions and ideas that produce more than any of us could alone — children's books, audio from the heart for businesses, voices for animators and game developers.

04

Community

A safe space to connect, ask questions, share successes, and meet a network of people passionate about unleashing their voiceover potential.

Hear AVA

These are the voices.

Press play and listen to what our actors create — from audio drama and animation to children's stories and commercials. This is what project-based training sounds like.

Browse the projects
Podcast Trailer
Children's Book
Radio Commercials
Our Projects

The heartbeat of AVA.

Become an AVA Actor and take part in character creation, table reads, improvisational practice, dialogue rehearsal, acting workshops, and microphone technique. Every project ends in something you can proudly share.

Current

Wintershyre — a fantasy audio drama podcast, an AVA Studios production

Wintershyre

Fantasy Audio Drama · Season 1 · 10 Episodes

In the twilight realm of Wintershyre, the cruel King Frostbane returns from the shadows as a dark silence grips the land. Beneath the ice, a rebellion stirs, led by the warrior Cryon. Ancient magic and newfound hope collide, and the battle for the throne has only just begun.

Seeking Sponsors Open to Join
The Brightwing Tales — a four-book children's series following Mimi Brightwing, an AVA Studios production

The Brightwing Tales

Sponsored Project · Children's Series

A four-book series for children following the adventures of Mimi Brightwing, a fairy who spreads confidence, kindness, and positive insights to many beings — humans, animals, fish, and flowers — throughout her adventures.

Open to Join
An AVA Original — a new project created by and for the AVA community, an AVA Studios production

An AVA Original

In Development

A new project created by and for the AVA community — for the website, social, and YouTube. More details coming soon.

In Development

Upcoming

The Neurodivergent Diaries — an audio series of personal stories narrated by AVA Actors

The Neurodivergent Diaries

Audio Series · Upcoming

AVA Actors narrate short personal life stories — their own or others' — that reflect experiences of inspiration, hardship, laughter, sorrow, and success.

Upcoming
Swampmania! — an audio comedy series set in the bayou, an AVA Studios production

Swampmania!

Audio Comedy Series · Upcoming

Colorful characters and critters follow their daily adventures in the bayou — chock full of laughs, personality, and life in the swamp.

Upcoming
Starlet: A Very Special Pony — a children's book about a blind pony, in partnership with Copper Crest Farm

Starlet: A Very Special Pony

Children's Book · Upcoming

The inspiring and true story of a blind pony named Starlet and all who knew her. In partnership with the Copper Crest Farm Riding Therapy Program.

Upcoming

Look What We've Done

Benchmarks — a finished commercial reel voiced by AVA actors

Benchmarks

Completed · Commercial Reel

A selection of finished commercial work voiced by AVA actors — proof of what project-based training produces.

Completed
Justin and the Party Bus — a children's book narrated and co-written by an AVA member and his mom

Justin and the Party Bus

Children's Book · Listen

A finished Children's Book (pending marketing and Audible upload) narrated and co-written by an AVA member and his mom.

Completed
Wintershyre — fantasy audio drama trailer, an AVA Studios production

Wintershyre Trailer

Audio Drama · Listen

The trailer for our fantasy audio drama — a first taste of the world, the voices, and the production.

Completed
Voices of AVA

In their own words.

What actors, families, and collaborators say about finding their stage with AVA.

An AVA actor recording at a home studio setup

"I never thought I'd hear my own voice in a real production. Now I have something to show my family."

AVA Actor

"The workshops meet you where you are. No pressure, real skill, and people who get it."

AVA Actor

"This is a wonderful group for my son. He loved it from the beginning and looks forward to the meetings and programs. Thank you so much for your dedication and support of this community."

Parent of an Actor

"I feel confident and inspired to keep learning as a voice actor. I learn a lot in this class, I get helpful feedback, and I am genuinely impressed hearing both Robin and my classmates do their voice acting."

AVA Actor
AVA News

What's happening now.

This Month

We're now Neurodivergent Voice Actors

Same AVA, wider stage. Read what the rebrand means and what hasn't changed.

Read more
Upcoming

Free Q&A — meet the program

Bring your questions to a live session and see how AVA's project-based program works.

Save your seat
Recap

AVA Blogs and Vlogs

The news and the views — the wins, the breakthroughs, the laughs.

Coming soon

Get AVA in your inbox.

Get Involved

Be a Producer. Build a legacy.

Sponsorship turns into something real — an episode, a season, a book, a year of training for an actor. Start anywhere on the ladder.

$29/mo

Sponsor an Actor

Cover a neurodivergent actor's membership — training, projects, and a place in the cast.

from $300

Sponsor an Episode

Fund a podcast episode solo ($600) or split it with a co-sponsor ($300), with your name in the credits.

$1,000

Sponsor a Children's Book

Bring a full children's title to life, voiced by AVA actors.

Legacy
from $2,000

Sponsor a Book Series

Fund a two-, three-, or four-book series — a legacy for a loved one, like the Brightwing Tales.

See all the ways to get involved

Not a sponsor? Become an AVA Ambassador — we need help with social media, audio engineering, graphics, and spreading the word.

Team AVA

The people behind the work.

Founders, board, and instructors — including SAG-AFTRA talent and a certified autism coach.

Robin Brooke

Robin Brooke

SAG-AFTRA, AEA · Co-Founder

Professional voiceover talent of 20+ years. Established VO instructor and coach, and AVA's Program Director.

Heidi Hackney

Heidi Hackney

MS, PCC · Co-Founder

Certified Autism Coach and ICF Accredited Life Coach, with a Master's in Human Development.

Ryan Paige

Ryan Paige

Instructor · Coach

Voice actor, audio producer, scriptwriter, and casting director. He and his wife run Paige Vox Studio, a creative company specializing in audio production.