Audiobooks at Sea 2025 Workshop Schedule

All sessions are taking place at The Meeting Place Conference Center, Level 3 OR Blu Restaurant, Level 5

For those attending the 2025 workshop - if you have any specific questions that you would like Joel to include while preparing with the coaches for the workshop sessions, please let him know by filling out the form at this link!

April 6, Embarkation Day

SAIL AWAY COCKTAIL PARTY AND WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

(5 pm to 6 pm)

Narrators and Guests of narrators are invited to join us in the Sky Lounge for panoramic views as we sail away on April 6th, the first night of our cruise! At this combination cocktail party/registration/orientation, we will be introducing our intrepid coaches and panelists while having the chance to meet your fellow nautical narrators!

April 7, Sea Day – Blu Restaurant, Level 5

GET THE MOST FROM EVERY POST - Social Media Strategies with Joel and Natalie

(With Joel Froomkin, Natalie Naudus. April 7, 10 to 11 am)

What are the biggest missteps and time-sucks people fall into with social media? Who's your target audience? How do you focus your time and content in the right way? What's the key to building your own online brand while still being true to yourself? Can you share too much?
Joel will break it down, and then dive into a chat with Natalie about how she's become one of the most followed narrators on social media. How does she find balance and joy in the process, and how did she grow her following?

PUTTING THE 'BOO' IN BOOTH - Horror/Thriller/Mystery with Carol

(With Carol Monda. 11:15 am to 12 pm)

Let's get creepy with Carol! An in-depth exploration of the stories that keep us on the edge of our seat. What are the unique qualities and traps of each of these genres? How do we zero-in on audience expectations, while sustaining tension and suspense without exhausting the listener? And what are the pitfalls and challenges every actor should keep in mind?

VANQUISHING THE INNER VOICES - Let's talk about Imposter Syndrome

(With Ana Clements and Joel Froomkin. April 7, 1 to 1:45 pm)

Ana and Joel have a frank and vulnerable discussion all about the psychological quicksand of Imposter Syndrome. How do we conquer it and keep pushing forward? How do we trust our own talent and face our fears?

TO BE OR WANNA BE - THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A SUCCESSFUL ACTOR AND A STARVING ARTIST!

(With Sean Pratt. April 7, 2 to 3 pm)

Outlining the tenets of his book ‘To Be or Wanna Be”, the Ginger Yoda himself walks us through the behaviors, actions or attitudes that have the greatest impact on one’s chances of becoming a 'Successful Actor', contrasting these with the destructive ones of the 'Starving Artist'. Sean walks you through the healthy habits of the actor's hustle.

THE NARRATOR'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY - The Sci Fi Panel

(With Joel Froomkin, Carol Monda, Natalie Naudus, Tamara Marston, and Jesse Bickford. April 7, 3:10 to 4 pm)

We boldly go where no panel has gone beforeeeee! Our fearless crew dive into the narration challenges of science fiction in its many forms. From finding the fun in wry robots and snarky aliens to the darker possibility of a future not so far, far away, we'll talk about tone and texture, and help you take your narration out of this world!

April 8th – Costa Maya – The Meeting Place, Level 3

GENDER SWITCH BEYOND JUST PITCH

(With Carol Monda/Natalie Naudus or Joel Froomkin/Sean Pratt. April 8, 4 – 4:50 pm)

One of biggest struggles narrators face is having to voice characters of the opposite identifying gender. We're gonna split the room and give you concrete tools and techniques to help you capture the essence of masculine and feminine presenting voices, diving into musicality, rhythm, placement and psychology.

NON-FIC FOCUS with SEAN - VOICING THE VISUALS!

(With Sean Pratt. April 8, 5 to 5:50 pm – Room 1)

Sean teaches you all the tricks and tools when presented with the graphic aspects of non-fiction. What are the standards when turning printed illustration into verbal explanation? He will break down graphs and charts and all those pesky graphics that seem unfriendly to audio. Plus - how do you communicate effectively with a publisher when you're the one who has to make these decisions?

LET'S HAVE A CANVA-SATION

(With Rich Najuch. April 8, 5 to 5:50 pm – Room 2)

Rich is going to show us how Canva can be a narrator's best friend! Not just for beginners - he'll teach you how to streamline your content, adapt posts to multiple platforms, incorporate video and audio, and create templates that make announcing new releases a breeze!

April 9th – Belize City – The Meeting Place, Level 3

SPECIAL BONUS - LABAN AND CREATIVE CHARACTER CREATION (PART ONE)

(With Joel Froomkin. April 9, 9:30 to 11 am)

This was such a hit last year, Joel is going offering part one again so that newbie cruisers don't miss out... Joel will give you a crash course in the wonderful world of character creation through Laban technique. You’ll discover how this system can create a vocabulary for clearly delineated, organic, and specific characters that fully connect to your body. It’s a game-changer! (Everyone is welcome - but this is a review of last year's presentation to prep folks for the next day Part II offering).

April 10 – Cozumel – The Meeting Place, Level 3

LABAN IN ACTION – PART TWO!

(With Joel Froomkin.  April 10, 3 to 4:15 pm)

 Last year folks wanted more - so here it is! We're putting the techniques in practice and experimenting with character and text up on and our feet to give you confidence and clarity with this exciting and enlightening character creation tool.

WOCKA WOCKA WHEN YOU TALK-A

(With Joel Froomkin.  April 10, 4:30 to 6 pm)

Do you think you suck at landing the yucks? Joel presents a masterclass on the techniques, tools, and tenets of comedic performance. A comprehensive exploration into structure, delivery and character that breaks down not just the art of landing the laugh but spotting the classic characters of comedy and their unique role in narrative.

April 11, Sea Day – Blu Restaurant, Level 5

PROJECTS POWERED BY YOUR PASSION / THE CRAFT OF PERFORMING THE CLASSICS

(With Joel Froomkin and Karen Commins. April 11, 10 to 11:20 am)

Join the Doyenne of Public Domain, Karen Commins as your tour guide in the wonderful world of self-production and publishing with public domain or licensed titles. Finding projects that speak to you as an artist, filling those fallow spots in your schedule, and figuring out distribution.

YOUNG AT ART - Narrating for young audiences!

(With Joel Froomkin, Erick Black, Lucas Behrends, and Melanie Gagne. April 11, 11:30 am to 12:15 pm)

Erick, Lucas and Melanie explore the difference in narrative approach for juvenile, middle grade and y/a narration. What makes a narrator the right fit for young audiences? How do you capture the sense of play and not be patronizing? From goofy graphic novels come to life to stirring stories of real-life heroes - how to find strike the right tone and get the next generation hooked on books!

CRAFTING THE ‘BUBBLE SCENE’ – HOW TO SCULPT A STELLAR SAMPLE!

(With Jesse Bickford. April 11, 1:15 to 2 pm)

All the time, Jesse hears folks say "it's so hard to find pieces to pick for samples / I don't know how to edit samples for time or continuity / how do you know if a sample fits a genre." Well, she’s going to give you an inside look from a casting perspective how to focus in on what they want to hear and ways to craft, focus and edit the best possible sample. She’ll walk us through what makes great demo text, how to edit for effectiveness, and what producers feel doesn't work to your advantage on your website.

PUBLISHER PANEL PALOZA!

(With Joel Froomkin and all publishers. April 11, 2:15 to 3:45 pm)

How to craft relationships with traditional publishing houses. Making an impact. Staying in touch without pushing too hard. How to be the kind of actor they want to work with over and over. A lengthy panel and open Q and A with our fabulous casting directors and producers.

CLOSING REMARKS – Giveaway winners announcements

(With all. April 11, 3:45 to 4 pm)

SMALL GROUP COACHING SESSIONS

Narrators will be scheduled for small group coaching sessions throughout the cruise. 

DINNER

Dinner each evening is scheduled together in the dining room at 8:30 pm. (Buffet dinner is also available for those who want to eat earlier.)

For those attending the 2025 workshop - if you have any specific questions that you would like Joel to include while preparing with the coaches for the workshop sessions, please let him know by filling out the form at this link!