Character Voice Actor for 10-Year-Old Black Girl — Children’s 2D Animated Pilot

I’m developing Puff Port, a new children’s brand initially launching with a bicycle helmet designed to accommodate puffs, braids, ponytails, and other hairstyles that traditional helmets often do not accommodate well. The idea came from my own experience trying to find properly fitting bicycle helmets for my daughters when they wore their hair in puffs. I’m also developing an original 2D animated world around Puff Port. The lead character will likely be a 10-year-old Black girl navigating family, friendships, school, natural hair, confidence, humor, and everyday childhood experiences. The larger ambition is to build Puff Port into a meaningful brand for Black girls and their families—not simply create a product commercial. I’m currently looking for the voice of the lead character. ⸻ The character She is approximately 10 years old. She is: * Smart * Funny * Expressive * Confident, but not perfect * Observant * Curious * Occasionally sarcastic * Warm and family-oriented * Capable of both comedy and emotionally sincere moments She should sound like a believable contemporary Black American girl—not like an exaggerated cartoon child, a corporate spokesperson, or an adult simply speaking in a very high voice. Her personality should come through in small reactions: side-eye, embarrassment, excitement, frustration, curiosity, confidence, and humor. ⸻ Who I’m looking for I’m especially interested in Black/African-American female voice actors with experience in: * Character acting * Children’s animation * Family entertainment * Performing younger voices * Comedy * Emotional dialogue * Natural conversational delivery Adult performers who can convincingly voice a girl approximately 9–11 years old are very welcome and may be preferred for consistency across future episodes. The performance should feel culturally authentic and contemporary without relying on stereotypes or exaggerated mannerisms. ⸻ Initial assignment The first paid recording will be very short and will be used in a small animation-development test. The scene: A 10-year-old Black girl with two large puffs tries to put on a traditional bicycle helmet. It doesn’t fit properly. She pushes a little harder, the helmet pops back up, she looks at it, and says: “Yeah… this is not happening.” The line is simple, but I’m looking for personality in the delivery. It could communicate a mix of: * disbelief * mild frustration * humor * confidence * “I already know this isn’t going to work” I do not want the line overacted. ⸻ Larger opportunity If the voice feels right, the next project would likely be a 3–5 minute animated pilot, with the possibility of future 8–10 minute episodes and recurring work if the series develops. I would prefer to find one performer who can become the consistent voice of the character rather than recasting her for every project. ⸻ Usage Recordings may eventually be used in: * Puff Port animated content * YouTube * TikTok * Instagram/Facebook * Paid social-media advertising * Kickstarter/crowdfunding materials * Puff Port’s website * Public relations * Promotional cutdowns derived from the animation Because some content may be used in paid advertising, please clearly state the commercial usage rights included in your proposed fee and any limitations, expiration periods, renewal fees, or additional paid-media usage charges. Future episodes or materially new scripts would be contracted and compensated separately. ⸻ Recording requirements Please have access to a clean, professional recording setup. Final files should ideally include: * Clean WAV audio * No music or sound effects * Minimal processing * Separate takes when requested * Reasonable pickup/revision policy ⸻ What to include in your proposal Please provide: 1. Your character-animation or children’s voice demo 2. Any examples of believable younger-girl voices 3. Your experience with animated or character-driven storytelling 4. Your recording setup 5. Your normal turnaround time 6. Your proposed fee for the initial short recording 7. Your typical pricing approach for a future 3–5 minute animated pilot 8. The commercial/paid-media usage rights included 9. Your policy for pickups or minor revisions Please do not create a custom unpaid audition. After reviewing existing demos, I may invite a small number of finalists to complete the same paid custom audition using a very short portion of the script. Please begin your proposal with “Puff Port Voice” so I know you reviewed the full description. I’m especially interested in finding someone who connects with the character and could potentially grow with the Puff Port animated world over time.