Sarah Natochenny chatted with us about being the voice of ‘Ash Ketchum’ in the “Pokémon” anime series and film, winning a Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Animation/Gaming Demo, NYC, and more!
Photo Credit: Noa Griffel
upfrontNY: How did you get your start as an actress?
Sarah Natochenny: I was a rhythmic gymnast for most of my childhood, and was thrilled to quit after winning a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics. My parents were not interested in letting me fill that void with anything unproductive, so my mom suggested acting school. She was right. From the first three-hour meditation at Strasberg, I was hooked. I watched movies obsessively – I’ve seen several over 300 times. I got into LaGuardia HS, but my parents made me go to Brooklyn Tech, where I basically just sang all the time. I really did love it there, made some wonderful lifelong friends, and became a part of a truly diverse community of great people – an opportunity I haven’t had since starting in entertainment. During my time there, I considered other career paths, but lost interest quickly. I wanted to be everything, intensely, for two months. So once I graduated, I did a few random classes at Hunter College, but pursued acting far more seriously than homework. And then I booked Pokémon!
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about being the voice of ‘Ash Ketchum’ in the “Pokémon” anime series and film? How long have you been involved with the franchise?
Sarah Natochenny: I started the show in 2006, soon after high school. The role and show are a blessing, and today I can say that my fans are too. But at first, there was a legion of fans who pretty much destroyed my sense of well-being and desire to be an actor. I’m proud to say I’ve fully bounced back from that and learned how to handle whatever side effects come with the career I want, both on camera and off. I do credit my “dark period” for my rise as a film editor. I learned a ton about how films are made, and how to be a truly professional film actor, by studying each take performed by brilliant actors like Bryan Cranston and Jennifer Aniston, among others.
upfrontNY: What has been the best part of this experience?
Sarah Natochenny: Discovering that being the voice of a beloved cartoon character comes with a power to make a lot of people very happy, for at least a few moments.
upfrontNY: Had you been a fan of Pokémon before being the voice of ‘Ash Ketchum’?
Sarah Natochenny: Yes! I started watching it when it first came to the States. I wasn’t allowed to play video games as a kid and saw the cards as something to collect and admire more than anything, but I loved the show!
upfrontNY: You also voice video games. Can you tell us about this and what has been one of your best experiences doing this?
Sarah Natochenny: My first video game was the title role in Bullet Witch. A German publication called my performance “prohibitively sexy.” That’s it.
upfrontNY: You recently won a Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Animation/Gaming Demo. Congratulations! How did it feel winning this award?
Sarah Natochenny: Thank you! It was surreal and amazing to be recognized. My afterparty was a two hour long soak in the tub. What a party animal, huh?
upfrontNY: What type of character do you hope to be the voice of one day?
Sarah Natochenny: Every type. Minnie Mouse is a dream. Ursula, once my voice gets mature enough. Anything Mike Judge does, as soon as possible. I never thought I’d be playing a young, male lead protagonist in several shows…I’m not well-trained for that type, and it’s not really native to my own personality. So I’m comfortable with reaching in all directions, type-wise.
upfrontNY: You split your time between LA and NYC. What do you enjoy about working on both coasts?
Sarah Natochenny: LA is where my friends and family are. The energy among my friends who work in LA is about 10x the energy I feel in NY. They’re all excited to work, because there is so much work, and there’s enough peace and quiet to create your own work without the distraction of the subway and the weather. LA doesn’t “make you” the way NYC does. NYC is a character in my life with a strong influence (and hold) on me. LA is a place to unwind and listen to yourself. Healthy narcissism is much easier there. I find that going back and forth has taught me to live each day with more purpose. The threat of moving there permanently…let’s just move on to your next question for that one!
upfrontNY: What do you love most about NYC?
Sarah Natochenny: I’m native New Yorker, and I’m probably a lifer. This city is magnificent, and it took spending real time in LA to appreciate it. Most? The fact that I don’t have to plan where I’m going on a day off. We just say, “let’s start here and see what happens.” The architecture, the history, the infrastructure, the waterways and beaches, the shops and theaters and world class museums, the oddities, the convenience (I never run errands, I pop into stores on my way home from wherever and get what I need for that evening)…and Bread’s Bakery’s babka. The fact that I can find some of the best food in the city within three blocks of my apartment. The parks. Sorry, I had to fully explain why what I love most is so amazing.
I hate the sleet, the extreme heat, and the crowds. There’s definitely something to throwing all your stuff in a car and not worrying about dressing for the weather.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about Voices For Fosters?
Sarah Natochenny: Voices For Fosters came to life after Pokémon director Lisa Ortiz and I recorded an episode of the show in which a Pokémon passes away. We were both dealing with recent loss of our cats, and I, a life-long cat enthusiast, had never even heard of fostering! I started asking around and doing research online – foster programs were growing at most shelters, and I understood that they were the best way to keep animals out of shelters and off death row.
My mom and I have fostered over 100 cats and kittens over the last two years. It helped us grieve the loss of my grandmother better than anything else we could imagine.
We are currently in the R&D phase, and any funds raised are donated directly to 501c3 rescue organizations, with a few exceptions for rescuers we know very well who have not yet received that status, but engage in rescue full time.
There are some hurdles in convincing the public that fostering is a great idea. Some folks need time after their pet passes – I fostered a very skittish adult cat immediately after my 17 year old passed, and he ended up staying with me for 15 months, until we found the perfect adopter. They are both so happy now, and though we bonded, it brings me great joy seeing them on social media. The way I see it, you’re not replacing your pet, you’re filling the void left behind after they pass. That love needs a home.
Fostering literally saves lives – every healthy animal you take home frees up a space at a shelter for an animal who may be suffering, sick, freezing or injured (or all of the above). The programs are robust enough to ask you what cases you’re willing to take on, and no proper shelter will ever leave you with an animal indefinitely.
upfrontNY: 2020 is around the corner. What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
Sarah Natochenny: I’m moving into a new apartment soon, and living alone for the first time! It’s only a few blocks west of my current place, but it’s a totally different vibe…and pretty cool because it’s on the edge of three vastly different neighborhoods, one of which is still truly charming – there’s still only one bank on every block! I’ve been in the same place for 13 years, so I’m looking forward to seeing what inspiration this move brings.
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