Perfectly Poised with a Voice to Remember

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

She’s your typical teenage girl, so she says.  She goes to school, hangs out with friends at the mall and does her share of chores around the house.  She loves sushi, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and loves to play guitar, sing and read.  But it’s not every day you meet a teenager who has a long list of acting credits to her name, not to mention for her 13th birthday rocked out at The Mint in Los Angeles performing a special tribute to Live Aid.  She’s talented and fun loving Grace Rolek.
You may have seen the outgoing Santa Clarita resident, Grace, on television or in the movies, but chances are, you’ve definitely heard her.  While she has worked in dozens of television shows like Desperate Housewives, The George Lopez Show, Malcom in the Middle, That’s So Raven and NCIS to name a few, along with many motion pictures and commercials since the age of 4, her face is not one you would likely recognize, but rather her voice.  
Grace’s voice talent has brought life to a multitude of animated characters, has been heard in dozens of commercials and has sweetened many of your favorite television shows and movies.  Some of her credits include films like Despicable Me, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Horton Hears a Who, and Meet the Robinson’s.  She has also lent a voice to Kung Fu Panda, Secrets of the Furious Five.  “I had a lot of fun working with Jack Black.  He is a very fun guy!” Grace also played Louise in Playhouse Disney’s Lou & Lou Safety Patrol, Nelson on Handy Manny, Molly on Special Agent Oso, and many more.  “I enjoy doing voiceovers.  I can be things that don’t exist in real life- so if I wanted to be a talking animal, I could be a talking animal!” states Grace.  
Her latest project will be released on March 29.  Grace has the honor of lending her voice to the classic character of Lucy, in the brand new Peanuts special marking the 60th anniversary of the Charles Schulz comic strip Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.  “My agent had called me and said I had an audition for the character of Lucy.  I had a prior audition a few years back but I was too young for the role.  This time I got the role and I was so excited,” states the actress.   Grace had the opportunity to work with the creator’s son, Craig Schulz, and the talented team of animators and actors.   This was a definite highlight of her career.  “I’m a huge fan of Charlie Brown, and it was an honor for me to play such an iconic character.”
Grace currently wrapped up a project but she’s, as she states with a smile, “sworn to secrecy.”  And while the actress enjoys being busy with work, some of her plans for the future involve forming a rock band.  “I love to sing, and have always loved music on long car drives to and from auditions.”  As a student of the School of Rock, Grace hopes to put out a CD in the future.  
With her voice and her talent, there’s no doubt she’s headed for success.
To learn more about Grace, visit www.gracerolek.com.