Helen Laser ’16 Is an Award-Winning Audiobook Narrator
Laser, a theatre and English double major at Muhlenberg, is best known for her work on “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang, “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach, and “Suspect” by Scott Turow.
Helen Laser ’16, whose work spans theatre, film, television, and commercials, is perhaps best known for her audiobook narration, which she describes as “a lot of time in a box by yourself.” Sometimes that box is a booth in a book publisher’s office and sometimes it’s the booth she had custom-made for her New York City apartment after four years of recording inside a wardrobe. “It had no ventilation, no door — it was kind of janky, but it got the job done,” says Laser, who was a theatre and English double major at Muhlenberg. The summer of 2023 pushed her over the edge: “I was sweating and tired and getting dehydrated. I was like, ‘This is bordering on dangerous.’”
By that time, Laser had established herself in the world of audiobooks. Her best-known titles include “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang, “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach, and “Suspect” by Scott Turow. This year, she was a finalist for an Audie award — the Oscars of the audiobook industry — for her work on “Heartwood” by Amity Gaige. She has spoken with Muhlenberg students more than once about this career path and has also set them up to audition with Audible.
Muhlenberg Magazine: What does your recording process look like?
Helen Laser ’16: You’re in a booth for hours and hours, and you’re spending a lot of time with the material. I like to do a long day to have an easier end of the week. If it’s a nine-hour title, it might take me two to three days. That’s Monday, Tuesday, maybe a little bit on Wednesday, and then Thursday, Friday, I’m sitting pretty. I can take care of myself, the house, and admin tasks. My voice does not get very tired. Everyone’s got a different process, but I like to sit down and just bang it out.
MM: What’s the most challenging thing about this work?
HL: It takes a great deal of focus, stamina, and patience. It can be very lonely — you’re by yourself a lot. Also, you never know if your booth is going to stop working, or there’s going to be construction on your street. It’s taught me that I just have to let things go. I can’t control everything. I can’t make everything perfect, and that’s all right.
MM: What’s the most rewarding?
HL: Sometimes I’ll open my Instagram and see that I have a DM request from someone I’ve never met and it’ll be an author saying, “Hey, I just heard the recording of my book that you narrated. It hasn’t gone out yet, but they sent it to me for approval, and oh my gosh, you did exactly what I hoped you would do and more.” There’s no greater feeling of contentment and fulfillment than to know that you took someone’s dream and you brought it to life.
“There’s no greater feeling of contentment and fulfillment than to know that you took someone’s dream and you brought it to life.”
Listen to a more extensive interview on the alumni podcast “2400 Chew”.
