Featured Image
NameJensen Olaya
LocationNew York City
Bio

I am an American actress of Asian descent, and am proud to be helping redefine representation for young audiences as a narrator for Young Adult, Self Development, Children’s Audiobooks, Sci-Fi, and other genres. Think Tinkerbell – if she also spoke Tagalog. On top of the sprightly & sassy, I’ve played a wide range of characters over the last 20 years from tomboy to valley girl, kooky best friend to quiet badass. I’ve played sprites, fairies, demure damsels, bone-chilling bad guys, and dueled with Shakespeare’s speeches.

I was born in the Philippines, raised in between Japan and San Diego, in a Navy family. Now, I am based in New York City, continue to work in Film, Theater, and Animated TV, as well as other genres of Voiceover. On the stage, I have performed at the Public Theater, New York Theater Workshop, Classic Stage Company, Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and at Opera America’s National Opera Center.

I hold an MFA in Acting from Columbia University, where I worked with the great voice teacher, Kristin Linklater, whom I attribute to my openly resonant, musical range, and my continued curiosity for vocal sound. I have studied singing at Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, and at San Diego State; was a Diversity Fellow at Upright Citizens Brigade, and continue to hone my improv comedy chops by writing sketch.

I am passionate for telling stories, and more than that, I love stepping and stretching into new roles to tell the stories that haven’t been told.

Sample 1
1st Person; Teen Dialogue
Sample 2
Tagalog English Demo
Sample 3
Self Help, Conversational