Five years ago, Joshua Lockwood-Wewer joined Spec Labs’ Voiceover department with a very specific goal in mind: to be a voice in Disney on Ice.
You would be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of Disney on Ice than Josh. Josh first fell in love with the show when he was three years old. Over the past 30 years, he’s seen the shows at least 1,000 times! Even Kenneth Feld, Chairman of Feld Entertainment and the creator of Disney on Ice, once told Josh he had probably seen more shows than Feld had himself. “In our house, the calendar isn't measured in months,” shares Josh’s mom, Beth Martinko. “It's measured in Disney on Ice seasons.”
When Disney on Ice was in town, Josh spent his weekends at the shows. Josh was non-verbal until he was seven years old, but he found comfort and connection with the Disney on Ice skaters. So much so that his first words were to Goofy! As Josh began to find his voice, he spoke mainly in lines from Disney movies and television shows. He developed his writing skills penning countless letters to the Disney on Ice skaters and characters. His letters paired with his frequent presence at the rink-side shows led him to develop relationships with several performers. One of those performers was Adam Loosely, a former skater turned Show Director for Disney on Ice. Adam had always cheered Josh on and supported his dreams to be in the show. When a new opportunity popped up this July, Adam passed along some lines for Josh to practice and record. That’s when Josh and the Spec Labs Voiceover team got to work.
Josh has been perfecting his voiceover skills with Spec Labs for the past five years, starting in the beginner class and building all the way up to our Master VO program. Josh also put his voice acting skills to use live on-stage in two Spec Labs theatrical productions: “A Specmas Carol” and “Inheriting Wonderland”. Voiceover department head and instructor, Cathy McAuley, has had the privilege of mentoring Josh during his time with Spec Labs. “I have watched him grow tremendously as a voiceover artist and actor, and in his confidence and independence,” Cathy says of working with Josh. Through it all, Josh remained focused on his big dream.
Josh as Sockworth in "A Specmas Carol" and Dodo in "Inheriting Wonderland."
When the Disney on Ice audition came along, Cathy and fellow voiceover instructor, Joey Isabel, used McAuley’s Method™ to get Josh ready to roll. Joey rehearsed lines with Josh until he felt confident in his delivery. And Cathy coached him through both audition recordings with endless support and encouragement. With their help, Josh put trust in his hard-earned skills while bringing his genuine love of Disney on Ice into his performance. Beth remarks, “That's what Cathy does. She brings out the very best in Josh every time, and she knew how much this one meant to him.”
A participant in California’s Self Determination Program (SDP), Josh always built his service plan with Disney on Ice at the center. Now, Josh is part of the ensemble for the opening number in Disney on Ice presents Spotlight Magic! The show had its world premiere in early September and is set to tour through North America next year. Every stop of the way audiences will hear Josh’s voice calling out three lines that help set the energy for the whole show! It’s a full circle moment for Josh and his mom Beth. “Think about it,” she says. “A little boy who didn't speak until he was seven, whose first words were to Goofy, now has his voice in the very show that helped him find his words. We cannot wait until next year when Josh is sitting in the arena and hears his own voice fill the room.”
Josh and VO head Cathy McAuley. Josh at Disney on Ice!
Josh and VO department head Cathy McAuley in the studio (left). Josh having fun at Disney on Ice (right).
Josh’s incredible Regional Center team and the Spec Labs Voiceover department played a huge part in making this dream happen. But it is Josh’s dedication, hard work, and passion that allowed his dream to become a reality!
We know that this is just the beginning! Part one of Josh’s dream has been realized, but he’s still working towards his next big goal: to someday be THE voice of Disney on Ice. We are excited to see where Josh’s journey takes him next and know that Spec Labs will always be there to support him!
Spec Labs’ excitement can only be matched (and exceeded!) by that of Beth and Josh. We want to take a moment to acknowledge their words of gratitude:
“We are so grateful. Thank you to Adam, who has believed in Josh for years and made room for his voice. Thank you to Cathy, who brings out the best in him every time. Thank you to Joey, who rehearsed every line with him. And thank you to Garth, Michael, and the whole Spec Labs family who have given Josh a place to grow as a voice actor for five years.
And to other families: find the thing your person loves most and build the support around it. For Josh, that was Disney on Ice. It gave him his first words, his reason to write, and now his voice in the show.”
Cheers to Josh! We’ll catch him on the Ice. ;)
—Michael & The Spec Labs Team
