Versatile local voice awarded

VOICE actor Tabitha Rickard has been celebrated on the global stage, scooping the Best Female Voice Artist award at the UK-based Behear Indie Audio Awards 2025.

“It’s so validating. That’s the biggest thing I think,” said the vibrant local voice artist after recently learning of her win.

“To win an award like that you think, I must be doing something right.”

Created by UK company Behear, the BIAA Awards celebrate independent achievement in audio drama and audiobook production.

The awards spotlight innovation, creative excellence and collaboration within the global independent audio industry, across categories including Best Audio Drama, Best Ensemble Cast, and Voice Performance awards.

A Ballarat Arts Academy and Ballarat Arts Foundation alumna, Rickard is also a current board member of BAF.

She also happens to be pretty nifty at accents, and creating and sustaining all manner of different character voices.

“I love voice acting because I get cast in characters I just wouldn’t get cast in on screen,” Richard said.

“I work with the producer and director who will have an idea of what they’re looking for.

“We craft the voice together and I’m okay to experiment and be a bit silly. I’ve discovered through that I have quite a large vocal range.

“Ballarat has such a rich artistic culture. To build an international career while remaining deeply connected to this community is something I’m very proud of.”

Rickard has built a diverse professional portfolio spanning animation, commercial voice-overs, video games, and narration for international producers in audio dramas and audiobooks.

She’s very recently voiced Dr Elara Wren and Sister Margret in the popular audio drama Static Shift, cementing her reputation for emotionally layered and character-driven performances while several of her audiobooks are also available on Audible, reaching listeners worldwide.

Rickard has also recently been busy working on the official English dub of the popular anime series Karekore of Mixed Blood, and was also cast as Queen in the Australian indie feature film A Staffy Story with Rogue Warrior Entertainment.

The film is currently in post production ahead of its anticipated premiere in Melbourne next year.