Persephone Valentine: LARPing Prepared Me for Hollywood
May 28, 2026 · 46 min
Why listen
A voice actor explains how years of LARP and D&D turned out to be the best Hollywood training possible.
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In this episode
- Why tabletop gaming builds self-awareness in ways therapy sometimes cannot
- How LARP culture and Hollywood sets operate on the same unspoken rules
- What voice actors actually do to find and train their natural sound
- How drag performance teaches stage presence that transfers to any medium
About this episode
Persephone Valentine joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while diving deep into D&D, LARPing, drag, voice acting, and why Hollywood is basically just organized nerd culture.While crafting bracelets inspired by horny popcorn buckets, video games, and chaotic queer energy, Persephone talks about:
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Nearly getting arrested sneaking into another high school to play D&D as a teen
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Spending over a decade immersed in tabletop games and LARP communities
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Why D&D can teach you a surprising amount about yourself
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The similarities between LARP culture and working in Hollywood
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Breaking into Dropout and Dimension 20 after years in gaming spaces
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Exploring drag performance, stage presence, and almost auditioning for Drag Race
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Learning voice acting through singing lessons and vocal experimentation
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The realities of trans voice training and finding your natural sound
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Why impressions are harder than inventing entirely new voices
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Wanting to play “bitches, breeches, and witches” in every possible role
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Jennifer Coolidge impressions, Azula voice practice, and blowing out your voice for TikTok
Plus, Persephone and Tawny discuss queer representation in gaming spaces, competitive drag culture, giant platform shoes, Lisa Frank documentaries, improv anxiety, and the strange joy of being unapologetically nerdy.
Every bracelet made during this episode is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to The Okra Project.
Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Tune in and enjoy the conversation!
Follow Persephone Valentine:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/persephiroth/
Follow Tawny:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatis
About String and Tell with Tawny and Kristen
Voice actors Tawny Platis and Kristen DiMercurio challenge each other to voice act in deliberately miscast performances every Thursday! After the games, they chat about voice acting, art, and entertainment while they make friendship bracelets based on what they just performed.
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