Aisha Manrique makes magic with voice, writing talents

A voice is a powerful tool – one that voiceover talent and coach Aisha Manrique has turned into an asset.

Manrique's voice has been featured in radio and TV commercials, safety briefings, training videos, tutorials, and even as "the voice of God" or "the voice in the sky" at a number of live events.

She's the owner of the San Fernando-based Voicey Versa Productions Ltd, a company that serves as an ad producer, production company and coaching school.

"When people hear 'voiceover,' they think 'commercial,' at least in the Caribbean.

"But the opportunities are endless because voices are everywhere. You just have to understand the power of the voice and what it can do for you...I am a full-blown voiceover talent for both TV and radio, but by choice, I am not a radio announcer."

She said because she is open-minded and not afraid to explore where her talents can take her, some opportunities just seem to land on her doorstep.

Manrique recently returned to TT from hosting a three-day production for Disney for the launch of one of its movies, Ariel – an animated musical series for preschoolers inspired by the story of The Little Mermaid. The movie follows eight-year-old mermaid princess Ariel and her friends as they embark on fun-filled, action-packed underwater adventures throughout their Caribbean-inspired fairy-tale kingdom of Atlantica.

"I was also the voice of God for that production. It was challenging and gratifying" – involving 24 shows over a three-day period.

"As the show's host, my responsibility was to make sure the energy was kept up, so I had to project it.

"It was surreal, because as a child you know the Disney brand, you look at so many Disney shows, and you never think that your talents or gifts would take you there one day, where you are being utilised as a Caribbean voice."

She said it was like a Broadway production, held at Battery Park, New York City, and attracted thousands of children and their families.

Manrique believes when you put in the work and you are really intentional about how you position your brand, it will attract opportunities.

"I’ve been doing my work and putting my best out there. One day, out of the blue, I received a call from the agency responsible for producing the show. It was surprising because I didn't audition or reach out – I just got a call from an international number, and when I answered I was told they were looking for a Caribbean voice talent and a live announcer, because the show was geared toward that market.

"They wanted to show the uniqueness of the region, and I guess they did their research, looked at their options and selected me."

On August 4 she hosted the Miss Universe TT competition at Queen's Hall, and on August 29, she will host and write the script for the Caribbean Music Awards, which will be held at Majestic Kings Theatre in New York.

Last year she hosted the event and, on short notice, wrote the script for the presenters.

"A few days leading up to the show, they (the organisers) were like, 'Aisha, we notice that you are also a scriptwriter. Do you think you are up to the challenge of writing the script for the show?'

"I know I am a creative, passionate writer and I didn't doubt my abilities, but I was concerned about the short timeline. But I agreed to do it.”

As the scriptwriter, Manrique was required to write everything the presenters would say.

"I had to put myself into the headspace of each individual presenter, because these are different personalities we are talking about here, and I had to do my research and figure out, 'Is this something this person will say?'

"I had to become each personality and write to suit, in order to keep the audience alive and engaged.

"So it is not an easy process," because the scriptwriter must also be ready for any unforeseen circumstances and be able to make changes on the spot. The fact that she was also the announcer at the show made it even more challenging.

"They were very pleased with my work, and that in itself prompted them to ask me to return as live announcer and scriptwriter this year."

Manrique said she has always had a knack for communication, having grown up with a mother who trained her to write and to have an appreciation for vocabulary.

"I couldn't settle for simple words like 'good' and 'nice' to describe anything. So although I am not formally trained to be a scriptwriter, I am a creative mind and a student of life.

"When I look at movies, go on road trips, go to an event, I don't just look at do it for entertainment purposes. I study human beings.It comes naturallu to me; it's a gift that I have. I observe the space, human reactions, the emotions and motions. It's an arsenal that I keep in the back of my mind, so when I'm writing I tap into that reservoir, and the words just flow.

"My mother played a huge role in what I am today. She was a writer, and even she said, 'Aisha, you've passed me, you know...You have a gift.' But if the student does not surpass the teacher, then learning ceases. This is the natural progression of things."

Manrique said even when she worked in the banking sector, she would be given scripts to write.

"I started as a CSR and ended my days in that industry in the marketing department. They would always tell me they are a huge fan of my pen."

But although she enjoys writing, she said, "Voicing is my first baby­," in which she has invested over two decades of training.

"Remember, the audience isn't seeing you, so you don't have that body language to fall back on. You need to use your voice to take your audience on the journey – that's why you need to be properly trained. You have to understand intonation, how to breathe, how to project, where to pause; it is all an art."

Manrique's training began at the Institute of Broadcasting Careers, in Belmont. She also trained under radio personality Edison Carr, has invested in a number of international courses and is a member of the National Association of Voice Actors in the US.

"So a lot of my training is international, because, while I have an appreciation for the work I do here in TT, there are so many opportunities that are available internationally. I've seen how proper training shifts your mindset, how it refines you, how it helps you to have an appreciation for the art. The voiceover industry is a billion-dollar industry, so you have to be open-minded and position your brand for when the opportunities come."

Through Voicey Versa, Manrique provides one-on-one voice coaching, group coaching, public speaking, interview and other voice-related techniques.

"My programmes are six-seven weeks via Zoom, for two hours on Saturday, and we cover everything as it regards voiceover training...

"When your voice is an asset, you have to treat it in a certain way, so we also look at voice maintenance.

"Then there is the business aspect, rates, and positioning your brand in the industry.

"It's a competitive space, so proper training is necessary. I've packaged my 23 years of experience and created a programme that I continue to refine it, because giving value for money is important to me.”

For more information visit voiceyversa.com, aishamanriquemedia.com or follow Aisha Manrique Media on IG and Aisha Manrique vo on TikTok