Pillsbury Chocolate Crescent Rolls

October 02, 2013 by Leigha Horton in photos, SAG-AFTRA, screen, Voice-over gigs

Putting words to picture - a behind-the-scenes snapshot of today's voiceover session for Pillsbury Chocolate Crescent Rolls:

Pillsbury Chocolate Crescent Rolls - voiceover by Leigha Horton

Pillsbury Crescent Dogs

September 23, 2013 by Leigha Horton in photos, SAG-AFTRA, screen, videos, Voice-over gigs

Mid-August I posted the following little blurb on my professional Facebook page - || while this week was rather insane (two on-camera auditions - one TV pilot and one TV commercial; rehearsals for a stage play; voiceover session for a Pillsbury TV spot; and voiceover for Marketplace Events Home and Garden Shows - TV and radio spots in 5 markets), it's moments like this - noticing how the light is hitting a vintage Neumann microphone in the recording booth - that give me pause with gratitude and appreciation.

And here’s the result of that session in the booth with the vintage Neumann:

Ten points for the copywriter who gave pigs-in-a-blanket a fancy-yet-accessible turn.

(By the way, have you ‘liked’ Leigha Horton - Stage || Screen || Voice yet? No? Do! It’s an easy way to be notified of new Greenroom posts!)

Yoplait Greek Yogurt

September 06, 2013 by Leigha Horton in photos, SAG-AFTRA, videos, Voice-over gigs

After doing voiceovers in Minneapolis/St. Paul for six years, it’s a rare occasion to find myself in a recording studio that I haven’t yet been in. So today was a treat, as it brought me to the curious and charming NoWare Media. We recorded the tag for a Yoplait Greek Yogurt TV commercial voiced by Lisa Kudrow (yes, Phoebe of Friends fame); I come in at the end to wrap it up:

NoWare is a sweet space – they’ve even got those classic sliding barn doors (swoon). But putting down voiceover in a booth that includes a chandelier? – Definitely an awesome first.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

September 05, 2013 by Leigha Horton in photos, SAG-AFTRA, screen

Spent today on set for a Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercial…I had auditioned for one of the speaking roles and was ultimately cast as an extra, which had me on set for the entire 10-hour shoot day over three locations (I was told it could have been 12 hours, so the early wrap was a nice surprise).

First location: Bang Bang Salon, Kingfield, Minneapolis

Camera-ready call-time: 6:30 am (ohmygod, 6:30 AM. *whimper*)

Second location: The Uptown Theater, Uptown, Minneapolis

This is what it looks like when you’re on set, “watching a movie.” Real popcorn! Which means don't get a hull stuck in your throat and panic a little trying to stifle your cough so you don't ruin somebody's take. But I wouldn't know anything about that.

Third and final location: curbside in Kenwood, Minneapolis

The best part about leafing through prop books on the table was discovering that one of them was the propmaster’s wife’s journal from high school. I didn’t read it, but I did happen to notice that her prom picture was pretty tubular.

Additional bonus, I discovered my friend Ansa would be portraying my fella for this scene. We joked about how, due to the camera lens’ depth of field, we’d likely be very blurry. And that we are the best blurry actors in town. And that we should just get very blurry, far off headshots taken and really sell it. Oh the dangers of idle minds…

William Morris Endeavor

July 02, 2013 by Leigha Horton in eminent awesomeness, SAG-AFTRA, travel, William Morris Endeavor

In early June I spent a week in Los Angeles, meeting with friends and friends-of-friends in the business and picking their brains about their experiences in L.A. thus far. I also had hopes of meeting with agencies and ultimately getting west coast representation lined up for when I take the next leap in my voiceover career. Which, anyone who has tried to get noticed by a Los Angeles agent long enough to get considered for a meeting can tell you, is no small feat. Basically, if you’re able to cross the crocodile-piranha-infested moat, slay the 13-headed dragon, and solve the riddle of the sphinx (not the one to which the answer is “man” – a new riddle), then you’re golden. If not, you’re, to put it delicately, SOL.

But I just happened to luck out with a whole host of people who were wildly generous with their willingness to cross moats, slay dragons, and solve riddles on my behalf. And so I found myself having three meetings with three agencies, and walking away with representation offers from all three. And a very difficult, yet exhilarating, choice ahead of me. And for that I couldn’t be more grateful.

And so, without further ado:

I now proudly find myself represented for voiceover in Los Angeles by William Morris Endeavor. You can see and listen to my demos in the Commercial-Women and Narration-Women sections (and let's be honest - I would be lying if I didn’t admit that seeing my name fall smack-dab between Tina Fey and Linda Hunt made me squeal and run circles around the room).

I am also delighted and proud to retain The Wehmann Agency for voiceover work in Minneapolis. Immense thanks to Shirley Venard, Michael Laskin, Sue Scott, Mark and Jill Benninghofen, Rachel Walens, and Matthew G. Anderson for their kindness and their counsel. I am forever indebted.

And the Winner of School Picture Day is...

April 23, 2013 by Leigha Horton in SAG-AFTRA, videos, Voice-over gigs

...this kid. He gets all the points for being equal parts kickass and adorable. It was a delight to finally get my hands on a copy of this, as we did the voice-over months ago. Only recently had I started hearing from friends that there's a new commercial running on TV and they swore it was my voice. They were right:

And here's a little bonus behind-the-scenes peek in the editing suite, after recording the tracks, as my audio was set over the video:

Crystal Farms spot recording at Echo Boys

Have I mentioned I have the best job ever? I have the best job ever.

Public Service Announcements for Parent Aware

March 27, 2013 by Leigha Horton in Public Service Announcements, SAG-AFTRA, Voice-over gigs

Earlier this month I spent some time in the studio at BWN Music recording Fallon’s new PSAs for Parent Aware, a cool Minnesota organization that rates preschools based on kindergarten readiness standards. I last voiced :60 and :30 versions of a spot for them back in 2010, and so it was a delight to head back in to the studio this month and record :60 and :30 versions of three more spots. I’m not sure what will ultimately be chosen to air, but I imagine whatever it is will stand out - it’s not often you hear long, chill ads sans underscoring these days. Kinda refreshing, that.

Behind the Scenes with Cloud Cult

February 19, 2013 by Leigha Horton in eminent awesomeness, Gruesome Playground Injuries, photos, SAG-AFTRA, screen, videos

Today brought my MTV and MTVu debut in the form of an incredibly sweet music video for Cloud Cult's Good Friend - from their newly released Love album:

We filmed it in three locations on February 2, and it was...cold. Ohmygodsocold. As in, high-for-the-day-was-10-degrees-Fahrenheit cold. Texts to a friend that morning consisted of helpful weather indicators like "my legs are frozen solid," and, "holy jesus it's cold." Despite Mother Nature trying to kill us, the day was wonderful.

Without further ado, a behind-the-scenes look at filming for Good Friend:

The park with the most fabulous old metal play equipment.

A portable ice-fishing tent served as our warming house.

This thing was a tiny miracle.

Musician toes + portable propane heater.

The playground was situated next to an ice rink covered in fresh snow. The adult boys made a game out of seeing who could run to the edge and then slide the farthest. There were very specific rules. The child boys won.

Adam Whisner on the swing set. In a sweet little bit of all things coming 'round, Adam was the Doug to my Kayleen in the last two Minneapolis productions of Rajiv Joseph's Gruesome Playground Injuries. When we learned of the casting, our text conversation went thusly:

Me: You and me? We're gonna be in a music video together. That makes me happy.

Adam: We're going to be yelling at each other. Next play we're in, let's just be in regular love 'n' stuff.

Me: It's a deal.

The imaginary friend rests.

Setting up the long shot while Adam and I wait on the metal bench swing.

Adam and I waiting on the metal bench swing.

The pretty, pretty long shot of the metal bench swing.

Reconciliation. Awwwwww.

Our intrepid director, John Burgess, standing in for "Sam."

"Sam," pre-spaghetti-head.

MainOffice3

"Mom" and a spaghetti-headed "Sam."

Charles Hubbell looking up something terribly important relating to Captain Underpants on IMDB.

The light truck outside our third and final location, awaiting load-out. The sweet, quiet end to the long, sweet day.

2012 in Review

January 11, 2013 by Leigha Horton in AFTRA, auditions, Gruesome Playground Injuries, press, readings, Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah, rehearsals, SAG, SAG-AFTRA, Science Museum of Minnesota, screen, stage, The Playwrights' Center, The Wehmann Agency, The Year in Review, Voice-over gigs

In November of this past year, I took part in a little daily project on Facebook called The Month of Thanks. Every day I sat down to write, publicly, something I was thankful for that day. And let’s be honest, there are some dark, dark days in November in Minnesota. Some days many of us are just thankful to wake up in the morning, the small victory of not having died in our sleep. Ahem. Um, did I mention we don’t get much sunlight ‘round these parts in the winter? Even so, it was a beautiful project to partake in – one that made me grateful for the gratitude alone. And in considering this 2012 Year in Review, Day 28 of my Month of Thanks leapt off the screen at me:

:: Month of Thanks, Day 28: today's recording session was in a pretty, pretty studio I'd never seen before. And the longer video for which I was providing voice-over was really quite lovely (there was a commercial, too, but that was, you know, short and commercialey). I am profoundly grateful that a combination of luck, training, skill, and perseverance has enabled me to do what I love for a living.

That, right there, is the essence of so much of last year. The joy of exploring new studios. Of meeting engineers, writers, and producers. Of realizing that I am able to make my living doing what I love because of luck, training, skill, and perseverance. No single one of those things alone would cut it; it takes every piece to create the balance. Some of those things are in my control, some are not, but every one is a gift. And for that, I am most grateful.

And so, without further ado, my performance highlights of 2012:

JANUARY

Stage

Continued part-time work at the Science Museum of Minnesota on the Science Live team – performing live science demonstrations and science-related short plays for museum audiences.
Traveled to Portland, OR to present to national museum colleagues the first draft of Kitchen Chemistry, a new live stage presentation I created for the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Joined the advance-publicity team for public appearances and started rehearsals for my roles as Anne Bonny and Mary Read (depending on the day) in the Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Voice

Voiceovers for Marketplace Events spots - fourth year running. Ty Pennington and I on national TV and radio urging you to attend home shows across the U.S. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.
Voiceover for Land O’Lakes butter – my first truly-national television commercial. I had done plenty of spots in the past that were aired in specific markets all over the U.S. (and therefore recorded multiples with appropriate city names filled in), but not one single commercial that would be aired everywhere. Network TV, cable, everywhere. It was very exciting. Recorded at Echo Boys for Campbell Mithun.

FEBRUARY

Stage

Opening of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Started rehearsals for Rajiv Joseph’s achingly beautiful two-person play Gruesome Playground Injuries.

Voice

Voiceovers for KeyBank - this was the first session reading tags for their “Vase” (and another – the name of which I’m forgetting) TV and radio ads. 47 tags, to be specific. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
Voiceovers for KeyBank (yes, more) – I ended up having several more sessions at Campbell Mithun this month – just a couple tags here and there – but still a delight to be in their studios every time.

MARCH

Stage

Performances of Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries, which merited some lovely press, a hug from a newspaper critic, and a sweet note from the casting director at The Guthrie. AND a new “Facebook friendship” with the playwright. An honor and a joy.
Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

APRIL

Stage

Performed/read at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for a new play, which I’m embarrassed to say I retained no notes about – so cannot recollect the playwright nor the name of the play, nor if I read a role or the stage directions. For shame, Leigha.
Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Voice

Voiceovers for more Marketplace Events spots – this was for home shows that would be taking place later in the year, hence weren’t recorded at the year’s first session in January. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.

MAY

Stage

Read stage directions at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for A User’s Guide to Hell, a new play by Lee Blessing.
Opened Kitchen Chemistry, a new live stage presentation I created for the Science Museum of Minnesota about the science of spaghetti – covering topics from boiling water to starch structures to smell and taste perception.
Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Screen

Wrote and hosted the filming of the third in a four-part series of short satirical 1950’s-style educational films, titled The Wonders and Worries of Nanotechnology: Who Benefits? on behalf of the Science Museum of Minnesota for The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net). Film + Production by Teddy Media.

Voice

Voiceover for The Gimmie Awards, General Mills’ bi-annual awards ceremony. Recorded at Syring Studios for Campbell Mithun. I have to admit that it was a little exciting knowing who the winners were and why before the winners themselves.

Featured Press

Interview and photo shoot for small feature article and very large photograph to run later in the month in Vita.MN, a local arts and entertainment magazine owned by the Star Tribune. The focus of the article was my work in Minneapolis/St. Paul as a full-time stage, screen, and voiceover actor.

JUNE

Stage

Read stage directions at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for Way West, a new play by Mona Mansour.
Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Screen

Performed on-camera as The Bride in Girls in Lane 4, Steeltoe Stiletto’s entry into the Minneapolis 48-Hour Film Project. For our efforts, we garnered a “Best Film” nomination and walked away with a coveted “Audience Favorite” award.

Voice

Voiceover of animatics (they’re like roughly-animated storyboards) for a new Land O’Lakes product, which I still believe is going through the development phase. I’ve been told that if it does make it to market with this concept, I’m in for the final spots. This is, however, a months-long process – so who knows. Keeping my fingers crossed nonetheless, because optimism feels better than the alternative. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
Voiceovers for KeyBank – a few more sessions this month – just a couple tags here and there for their “Vase” TV and radio ads. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.

JULY

Stage

Performed/read for a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center of a new play, which I’m embarrassed to say I retained no notes about. This is the second of two in 2012 that I somehow didn’t manage to keep records on – what on earth? My apologies to the playwright. For shame. Again.
Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

AUGUST

Stage

Read stage directions at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for Regulation 18B, a new play by Scott Wright.
Read the role of Diana Margineanu at a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center for No Hay Luz and the Search for the Red Bourgainvilleas, a new play by Domnica Radulescu. Thank goodness for my four years of Spanish in high school. Rusty as all get-out, but the foundation is still there.
Continuation of Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah at the Science Museum of Minnesota. I KNOW, right? When on earth did this thing end?! Labor Day. And so this is the last time you’ll see this particular gig mentioned. It was a hell of a lot of fun, but I was so, SO happy when it was done for the sole sake of not having to fuss with that wretched dirt makeup anymore. That shit was satanic.

Voice

Voiceover for Cheerios – this was an incredibly sweet online video featuring a “panel” of really cute kids talking about how their moms don’t really realize that they still like Cheerios even though they’re not babies anymore. Adorbs. Recorded at Spotnik for Orange Filmworks.
Voiceover for Marketplace Events spots – yes, more. I love these people. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.

SEPTEMBER

Stage

Performances of the remount of Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries. Man, I love this play. Rajiv is brilliant. He didn’t write it for me, but I want him to write for me always.
Started rehearsals for kaotic good productions’ The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: Viva la Soul Power! at Intermedia Arts. This year’s show was going to be HUGE.

Voice

Voiceover for Target – the second iteration of a short film about inclusiveness - entitled Anthem (originally voiced in December 2011 and entitled You Make Us). Recorded at Media Loft.
Voiceover for Crystal Farms’ Simply Potatoes – announcer on two fun radio spots featuring some fantastic Minneapolis/St. Paul talent. Recorded at Babble-On for Gabriel deGrood Bendt (GdB).
Voiceovers for KeyBank – a few more sessions this month – just a couple tags here and there for their “Vase” TV and radio ads. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.
Voiceover for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program’s annual awards ceremony. This was my second year back in the studio for this client, and it was an honor and a joy to be asked back. Recorded at Aaron/Stokes for Blue 60 Pictures.
Voiceover for General Mills’ Yoplait Yogurt – dialogue with the delightful Gary Bingner, announced by the equally-delightful Mark Benninghofen. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Shout! Creative.

OCTOBER

Stage

Read stage directions for a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center of The Toupee, a new play by Tom Dunn.
Performances of kaotic good productions’ The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: Viva La Soul Power! at Intermedia Arts. This was part of a much-larger project called 28 Days of Good Energia, which included a full (and gorgeous) gallery exhibition, and it was, again, a whirlwind of activities and some of the most amazingly soulful and creative and funny people. And incredible food. Ohmygod.
Started rehearsals and research for my role as Nephthys in the Lost Egypt at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The evolution of ancient Egyptian mythology is a fascinating beast unto itself – and oh boy was there a lot to learn for this project.

Voice

Voiceover for LifeTime Fitness – this was for an animated video that will, in theory, play on their exercise machines in gyms nationwide. Recorded at LifeTime Vision for LifeTime Fitness.

NOVEMBER

Stage

Closing performances of kaotic good productions’ The Cooking Show con Karimi & Comrades: Viva La Soul Power! at Intermedia Arts.

Voice

Voiceovers for a gorgeous short film and not-yet-completed commercial demo made by a reputable marketing firm campaigning for a very large company. Unfortunately, I’m unable to share more than that due to confidentiality requirements at present, but if they land the gig, I can share. Recorded at BWN Music.
Voiceovers for KeyBank – a few more sessions this month – just a couple tags here and there for their “Vase” TV and radio ads. Recorded at Todd Syring’s studio at Campbell Mithun for Campbell Mithun.

DECEMBER

Stage

Read the role of Jane for a new script workshop at The Playwrights’ Center of ColorLines, a new play by David Wiles. Keep an eye out for further developments on this play. Because wow.

Screen

Cast as host for on-camera industrial for DraxImage’s RUBY-FILL Strontium- and Rubidium-82 Generators. Turns out my gig at the Science Museum has made me pretty adept at presenting information, like about machines that provide measured doses of radiopharmaceuticals, as if I know what I’m talking about. Filming to take place in January 2013.

Voice

Voiceovers for Marketplace Events spots - fifth year running! FIFTH year! Love. Ty Pennington and I on national TV and radio urging you to attend home shows across the U.S. TV commercials aired on HGTV and ABC and their affiliates. Recorded at Audio Ruckus for Coordinet.
Voiceover for Crystal Farms’ Pancake and French Toast batters – TV commercials. Recorded at Echo Boys for Gabriel deGrood Bendt (GdB).

EPILOGUE

At the start of last year I promised to dream bigger dreams and then run to catch them. The dreaming did indeed happen, and continues unabated. It is, however, now accompanied by blueprints for the life I intend to build. Plans are afoot. This is the year that I’m going to break ground on new land.

Good Signs

December 05, 2012 by Leigha Horton in auditions, SAG-AFTRA, screen

You know when the director personally walks you out of your audition and wants to discuss your availability for a callback with the client, and then at the callback gives you a high-five in front of the client after your read, you probably got the gig. And I did.

First on-camera audition in seemingly forever, and nailed it. More details after the shoot.

A Little Love for the Pacific Northwest

November 30, 2012 by Leigha Horton in AFTRA, SAG, SAG-AFTRA, videos, Voice-over gigs

For the past several months I’ve been working with some of the coolest people on the planet over at Campbell Mithun (that’s right, Mim, I’m talking about you) voicing tags for KeyBank spots – tv ads and just audio, I believe, to run on Pandora – and, of course, having a blast. I also learned something really cool about marketing on Pandora – they can target which ads they play based on your location, almost down to the block on which you live, so that it’s ultra-relevant. I’ve found myself listening to Pandora in the past, hearing an ad come on, and thinking, wow – my neighborhood ACME Anvil company had the money for an ad on Pandora? Nah, turns out they can just be super-specific, and probably, in turn, find it more affordable.

Anyway, KeyBank has locations in 14 states, and I’ve taken the most quiet joy reading the tags for Portland, Seattle, and a couple of places in Colorado, just because I’ve got family and dear friends in those places. Here’s hoping that even if they didn't recognize my voice, they maybe felt just a little closer in that moment.

Keeping Secrets

November 28, 2012 by Leigha Horton in SAG-AFTRA, Voice-over gigs

Today I was hired on to voice a gorgeously filmed and directed two-minute concept/branding pitch by a hugely reputable ad agency for a very large company, both of which, for now anyway, must remain nameless. There was also a short, yet-to-be-filmed demo commercial, too, but it was the concept piece that really reminded me how much I love what I do for a living. Additional bonus: it was recorded at BWN Music, a pretty, pretty studio I’d never seen before. And with an engineer who used to be a chemist, and with whom I had the most delightful conversation, touching on, amongst other things, the eight different kinds of bears in the world. Lest we forget, I am a part-time performing artist over at the Science Museum of Minnesota, so this conversation was not as random as it may seem at first. He named six right off the bat – far better than most people – and got Adorable Points for guessing the last two types as belonging to the Care- and Gummy- species.

I love working with engineers. They all seem to have these insanely awesome private lives that I often only find out about later. They're enigmas, I tell you! Wonderful enigmas!

Since I really can’t divulge much more than that, I’ll just give you a peek inside the recording booth, instead.

Topless. No wait – LIDless. Got it.

October 04, 2012 by Leigha Horton in AFTRA, SAG, SAG-AFTRA, Voice-over gigs

I’ve thought long and hard about this (perhaps too long and hard about this, but whatever, don’t judge), and yet I’ve got no other choice than to declare this a tie. Because I just can’t decide what was better – getting to play Gary Bingner’s wife, or sharing a spot with the most fabulous Mark Benninghofen. Because, I mean really - those deeply funny men in that tiny little studio at the same time? Ohmygod.

It’s probably a good thing commercial voiceover sessions don’t get their own behind-the-scenes treatment. We might never work again.

Cheerios Roundtable

October 02, 2012 by Leigha Horton in AFTRA, SAG, SAG-AFTRA, screen

I do believe this might take the prize for most adorable spot I’ve ever had the pleasure of voicing.

Kid 1: “Who do you like to eat Cheerios with?”

Kid 2: “You.”

Kid 1: (bashful giggle)

GAWWWWWWWW! So cute.

“Working With ______”

September 13, 2012 by Leigha Horton in AFTRA, SAG, SAG-AFTRA, Voice-over gigs

I’ve had the joy of sharing a table with the amazingly talented and equally delightful Sally Wingert for new script development and readings at The Playwrights’ Center, but it was an absolute joy to discover her voice on these Crystal Farms/Simply Potatoes spots for which I voiced the announcer. She’s the woman who cries, “Cheat! Cheat!” in the “Bake Off” spot. I come in at the :23 mark on both spots to wrap everything up. That’s a curious thing about voice work – as an actor, it’s so different from stage and screen work wherein the process is collaborative and your casts can end up like temporary families. In the recording studio actors are often like ships in the night, never seeing one another. I have “worked with” Laurence Fishburne and Ty Pennington, but have I ever met or spoken with either of them? Nope.

Funny, that.

And a big shout-out to Babble-On Recording Studios for the great, multi-layered sounds on these spots. Love them.

The Silver Lining

January 02, 2012 by Leigha Horton in AFTRA, SAG, SAG-AFTRA, Voice-over gigs, documentary

Hey, Science Nerds - this one's for you...and me, because I'm a Science Nerd, too. Let's be nerdy together! (hugs, bashes glasses together) Nerdery aside, I voiced this short documentary back in 2012 for the Museum of Life + Science in Durham, North Carolina on behalf of NISE Net (the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network). And yet I was remiss in not posting it at that time. Forgive the oversight, and have a listen. I guarantee you'll learn something that'll assuredly make for sexy cocktail party banter. Because smart most definitely equals sexy.