WomanWithin.com
Last month, I had the pleasure of providing the voice-over for a national cable television commercial for WomanWithin.com. It’s been running on Bravo, The Cooking Channel, DIY Network, and SOAPnet for a couple of weeks now.
We first saw it — my husband, 11-month-old son and I — one early morning before Paul headed off to work and Benny and I began our morning of me chasing him around with a wet washcloth to wipe encrusted scrambled egg off his chin. It was surreal having my commercial airing right there in the living room. Paul and I watched with stunned smiles on our faces; Benny yelped over the upbeat music.
Paul posted a Facebook status update in celebration. When someone responded, asking what the commercial was for, Paul responded by posting, “Ironically, a plus-sized women’s clothing store.”
For those who have never seen me, it’s ironic because I am a small person. Think Angela in “The Office,” but without the rack.
Even my mother guffawed when I told her who the client was. “Have they seen you?” she asked. I reminded her that this was a voice-over; it’s irrelevant what I look like. “Maybe I have a plus-sized voice,” I said.
Now whenever I see the commercial, I wonder if my voice is, well, large enough. I wonder if it really matters. Probably doesn’t. It does, however, seem slightly bizarre that I can’t wear the clothes from the store that’s using my voice to sell them. I’d like to. Especially since the chick in that commercial seems so danged happy.
Well, so, maybe it really is about the woman within. If you’d like to judge for yourself, you can see the commercial on my website, here.
About RAP
Writer and peace worker Rachel Astarte Piccione is the president and founder of gentlefish productions, inc., a full-service writing company devoted to promoting positive and sustainable change in the world. Primarily a journalist and fiction writer, Rachel was also the 1996 Poet Laureate of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her first non-fiction book, 101 BETTER SEX TIPS was published in July 2007.
She holds a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston and has studied Theater and Acting at Loughborough University (UK) and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
From 1999–2001, she was the head writer for and performer in the New York City-based comedic theater company, Circle in the Squirrel. She was also the co-founder and Executive Creative Director of Bardos Films, Inc., a company dedicated to uniting cultures through the globalization of cinema from 2001-2004. Currently, she works as a voice-over artist for radio, television, film, and the Internet.
Rachel's international work has centered on the promotion of cultural unity through the performing arts. Her feature script, "Little India," was a semi-finalist in the 2006 American Screenwriting Competition and a 2006 Gloria Film Festival Screenplay Competition selection. In December 2006, her one-act play, "Middle East Side," had its premiere reading at SALAAM Theater in New York City.
Rachel has also been an adjunct professor of writing at a number of east coast colleges, including Philadelphia University (formerly Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science), Bucks County Community College, and Emerson College.
Rachel is an ordained clergy member, holding the title of Peace Counselor since September 2002. As part of her ongoing peace work, Rachel has given numerous readings across the country, and lectured at such venues as New York City's New School on the topic of employing the arts as a means toward conflict resolution.
Rachel lives in New York City and Nyack, NY with her husband, son, and two very loving cats.
The RAP Rap 
I had to listen twice, once with my eyes closed. You have such a beautiful, velvety voice! I said, “Is that MY Astarte?” Indeed, it was.