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Certainly working with teens keeps me up to date with language and with certain kinds of thinking.

When I was 10 or 11 people started saying there was something special about my voice. But when I was 15 or 16 is when I really thought my hobby could become my career.

Before adolescence I had an incredible voice. Like when I was 12, 13, 14 - I was taking acting classes, I was painting, I was making music, I was taking photographs. I was kind of exploding creatively, and then something about adolescence really just ground that out of me.

I tend to focus on young people and on giving a voice to groups of people who don't normally get their voices heard.

I just believe that young people need to be able to learn how to write in their own voice. Just like a musician, you pride yourself on having your own distinct sound.

I think there's actually a benefit to working with teen actors: they've got such boundless energy, and everybody is willing to try different things.

I try to give a voice to teens, who might be afraid to speak up about difficult issues, and a platform for parents and teachers to have frank, meaningful discussions with those young people.

I actually really love working with young actors because they're so responsive and instinctive, and it's a much less honed craft that they're employing.

I've been able to work with some incredible voice talent, most of whom I grew up hearing in my favorite cartoons.

I kind of realized I could sing, so I played around with that for a while. And that led me to acting in itself, which I came more passionate about by the age of 15.