A New York native, Rebecca Kessin grew up surrounded by the arts. The daughter of a Julliard publicist, one of her earliest memories is sitting in the press row watching a modern dance performance. After seeing the cast perform at the Tony Awards, she begged her parents to take her to see City of Angels. Despite the show being slightly too mature for a seven year old, they did, and she was hooked! Seeing the half color, half black and white set was the first time Rebecca realized that “stage magic” could exist.
As a teenager she was an active member of the Calhoun On Tour Theatre Company, a magnet arts program. Rebecca continued her education at SUNY New Paltz, studying both theatre performance and design technology. It was at New Paltz that she discovered sound design, and quickly recognized her passion and aptitude for the medium. She graduated Cum Laude in 2004, and three months later moved across the country to begin her MFA at CalArts. It was here that she began to understand sound design not just as utilitarian, but also an exciting narrative medium. Rebecca’s CalArts friends and classmates (sometimes known as CIA Mafia) remain some of her most cherished collaborators.
After graduation, Rebecca remained in the Los Angeles area, relocating to East Hollywood and deciding to never deal with winter again. Thirteen years later, the area is still her home. In that time, Rebecca has established herself as a sound designer regionally. She is proud to be a part of Los Angeles’s vibrant theatre scene.
When Rebecca is not in a theatre she enjoys traveling, especially anywhere with good diving spots. She is an accomplished vegan baker and a home pickling enthusiast. In 2015 she ran her first marathon, raising funds for Westside German Shephard Rescue. Yes, she often does wear sunglasses inside.
Rebecca teaches at Los Angeles City College, where she greatly enjoys mentoring young designers.