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Melanie Chen Cole is a sound designer (and cat mom!) based in San Diego. She got her start as a musician, playing the piano and flute as a child. While attending UCSD for biology, she switched majors to join the music department, which ended up landing her an internship at La Jolla Playhouse in sound design – and later earning a BA and MFA from that same school. Now, her resume includes works such as “Covenant” at The Alliance Theatre, “Treasure Island” at Children’s Theatre in Minneapolis, "Baskerville" at The Alley, and currently “The Heart Sellers” at Seattle Rep. Her advice to young artists? “You will be your own biggest advocate of your work. It is hard to quantify success in the arts, so you will have to find a way to define success for yourself.”Read on to learn more about Melanie Chen Cole, and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Name: Melanie Chen Cole
Heritage: Taiwanese American
Hometown: Cerritos, CA
Current City: San Diego, CA
Current project: “The Heart Sellers” by Lloyd Suh at Seattle Rep.
What are some of your favorite credits/projects:
This is such a hard question because I have new favorites every year! I would say my most memorable projects in 2025 were “Covenant” by York Walker at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta with director Tinashe Kajeshe-Bolden, “Treasure Island” at Children's Theatre in Minneapolis with Director Rick Dildine, and Ken Ludwig's “Baskerville” at The Alley in Houston with director Eleanor Holdridge.
Any advice for young people getting into the arts?
You will be your own biggest advocate of your work. It is hard to quantify success in the arts, so you will have to find a way to define success for yourself.
How did you get your start?
I grew up playing piano and flute, but never imagined that I would grow up to work in the arts. I went to UCSD to study biology but found it very isolating and competitive. I decided to make my music minor into a major. I'm a very hands-on learner, but found the music department to be very theory based, and I didn't know how to get more involved. I randomly took an intro to theatre design class where I learned how to make model boxes and make sketches. I asked my professor if there was a way to use my music knowledge to do something in the theatre, so he introduced me to sound design. At the time, UCSD and La Jolla Playhouse had an internship program, so I walked up to the door of the sound shop, knocked on the door, and asked the head of sound (Joe Huppert) if there was any way I could get involved in the sound department without knowing anything about theatre. He said yes, show up the next day at 8 am, and we can get started! From that moment on, I was hooked. I interned in the sound shop for the next two years of my undergrad years and Joe designed around town so I joined him as an assistant. I went to grad school after I graduated undergrad to study under Shahrokh Yadegari, at UCSD. Joe changed my life by taking a chance on me, and I'm grateful for his openness and guidance over the years.
Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you'd like to share?
Our jobs are so funny, and I have found that staying open and saying yes often leads you to projects that you'd never dream you could have! From time to time, I work on music for Virgin Voyages with a director friend I met in grad school, Jesca Prudencio. This summer, Virgin Voyages reached out to me to work on a different project as they were launching two new cruises and needed me to create some mixes for that ship, which was already pretty exciting. But the most exciting part of the project was I got to fly out to the Bahamas and work in Justin Timberlake's studio there, where Rolling Stones, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Sting and many others have recorded at! How could it be possible that I get to make music where some of the greats have also had!? I couldn't believe it.
What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?
Being an Asian-American woman in a male-dominated field definitely has been a hurdle that I've continued to learn how to navigate. I've found many friends and allies who stand with me, but ultimately, I've been working on standing up for myself and being confident in the work I am doing. Self doubt is the worst enemy of art, and some days are harder to overcome that doubt.
Is where you are now where you thought you’d be?
Honestly, I don't know where I thought I'd end up, but certainly not where I am now! I would have never imagined that I would be self-employed and traveling so much for work. I love it, and wouldn't trade it for anything.
If you come from parents who aren’t in the arts, what parts of them do you see in yourself that have helped you succeed in the business?
My dad was an engineer, and my mom an accountant. My dad was an incredible sketch artist and painter, but only did it for fun. I'd like to think I got my artistic side from him. My mom would never call herself a rebel, but she's the bravest person I know, and I've seen her overcome great obstacles, so I want to think that I have that same courage to continue to be a freelance artist.
What skills did you find to be the most helpful in your career?
Being kind, and staying curious. When we lose our kindness and curiosity, how can we create art that makes people feel?
Where did you study at?
I have a BA in Interdisciplinary Computing in the Arts: Music & my MFA in Sound Design for Theatre and Dance, both from UCSD.
What do you love most about what you do?
I love the people and community that I've built over the years. Shows will come and go, but it's these relationships that become lifelong ties. I met my husband working on a show – he was acting and I did the sound design for the show. He is now the Director of Education at North Coast Rep in Solana Beach, CA, and I am able to have the freedom to pursue my work all over the country because of his support. It's always fun when I get a chance to do sound for the work he does with his students!
Who is your favorite writer, and what do you find interesting about their work?
One of my favorite writers I've encountered is Don Nguyen. I was lucky enough to work on the premiere of two of his works: “The Supreme Leader” and “The World is Not Silent”. He just dreams us stories that I never even could imagine! “The Supreme Leader” is a fictional romantic comedy about an adolescent Kim Jung Un. What does that even mean? What would the story even be about!? You'll have to read or see that play to understand how funny, but poignant the story is! “The World is Not Silent” is about a son who learns American Sign Language to be able to communicate with his dad who is going deaf, but surprise, his dad only knows Vietnamese Sign Language. They have a Thanksgiving dinner, and comedy ensues when they have an unexpected visitor! Don is definitely a writer I'm keeping my eyes on and hope to see more of. He's also an amazing astrophotographer, and has some incredible stories from his travels chasing stars.
How do you think your creative process has changed over time?
When I open my files from 10 years ago, I'm always like, oh my god, this programming is atrocious! I think I've learned how to organize my thoughts and have created a system of building cues that best fits my process. It's something that has developed that I didn't even notice!
Since so many of us spent a lot of time isolated during the pandemic, how has that experience specifically changed your creative or preparation process or your outlook on life?
Since the pandemic, I am convinced that the arts will always be something that humanity needs. I spent a lot of time on Zoom – teaching classes, doing some zoom plays, reading plays, telling stories, playing games with people from all over the country. Humans are social creatures and we will find a way to connect creatively despite obvious challenges.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
I love cats! We lost our cat Wendy Buttons in the fall of 2025, and she was the first cat I lived with, but now I am obsessed! We recently adopted a new cat named Nova, and we think of her as a supernova star because she has endless energy and wants to play all the time.
Wendy Buttons, in her favorite spot
Nova, recently adopted torbie
To learn more about Melanie Chen Cole, please visit her at:
Website: www.melaniesound.com
Instagram: @melaniechencole
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