Sam Riegel
Emmy Award-Winning Voice Director, Writer & Founding Member of Critical Role
Sam Riegel
Emmy Award-Winning Voice Director, Writer & Founding Member of Critical Role
Biography
Sam Riegel is an Emmy Award-winning voice director, writer, and founding member of Critical Role, the hit actual-play series turned global storytelling company. As Executive Producer of The Legend of Vox Machina and the upcoming Mighty Nein animated series, Sam has brought original fantasy worlds to life for millions of fans. He also guides Critical Role’s Television & Film Development, expanding the company’s storytelling reach across platforms.
Before co-founding Critical Role, Sam built a successful career in animation and video games, voicing characters like Donatello in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Phoenix Wright in the Ace Attorney series, and Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man. His voice directing credits include Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, DuckTales, Kiff, Sofia the First, DC Super Hero Girls, and Elena of Avalor, among others.
Sam has received multiple Emmy Awards for his work, and continues to create, direct, and perform each week on Critical Role, where storytelling, collaboration, and laughter remain at the heart of everything.
Speech Topics
From Home Game to Global Brand: Building Critical Role with My Best Friends
Critical Role started as a home game with close pals—and somehow turned into a global entertainment brand. Learn how we built it from scratch, grew an incredible fan community, and figured out how to run a business without losing what made it special: our friendship. It’s about taking risks, honest collaboration, and putting your trust in a found family.
Behind the Mic: What Voice Directing Taught Me About Leadership
What does it take to direct Oscar winners, cultural icons, and voiceover legends… and have them actually listen? As an Emmy-winning voice director, Riegel has learned to lead with confidence, give feedback that counts, and earn trust fast. Discover real-world lessons on communication, collaboration, and bringing out the best in high-level talent. Whether you’re managing a team or navigating strong personalities, these tools work far beyond the recording booth.
Worldbuilding for Joy: Creating Stories That Stick
As creator and executive producer of The Legend of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein, Riegel has helped turn tabletop storytelling into hit animated series. Explore how to create memorable characters, build immersive worlds, and lead global creative teams—while keeping the process collaborative, purposeful, and most importantly fun.
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