Kayshon voice actor Carl Tart discusses bringing Star Trek: Lower Decks' Tamarian character to life

"Kayshon, His Eyes Open"-- Carl Tart as Lieutenant Kayshon of the Paramount+ series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS. Photo: PARAMOUNT+ ©2021 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved **Best Possible Screen Grab**

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 - Kayshon’s eyes are, indeed, open, and the new Tamarian is working at fitting in this season on Star Trek: Lower Decks. Carl Tart, the voice behind the security officer, knows a bit about fitting in, too.

Tart had a conversation with TrekMovie about his experience voicing Kayshon, and the challenges that presents for a guy with an improv background. Regarding that, Tart said he pretty much has to stick to the script but can do “emotional improv” with his delivery. Opportunities might arise, though, where there is more freedom with the script, such as in situations where the animation hasn’t been completed yet.

Tart also said that he understands working to fit in, especially where language is concerned. He has moved from Mississippi to Los Angeles and lived overseas, so he has experienced both being made fun of for the way he speaks and having others preferring to meet him where he is by speaking English. He sees Kayshon, who speaks Federation Standard but occasionally slips into his native metaphors, “just really trying to fit in with everybody and trying to not wear out [his] welcome.”

For more from Carl Tart, including his preparation for the role of Kayshon and his favorite scene so far, head over to TrekMovie.com. You can see Kayshon and the rest of the crew on Star Trek: Lower Decks, streaming now on Paramount+ in the US, CTV Sci-Fi and Crave in Canada, and on Amazon Prime Video otherwise internationally.