Conversations with Rivka Rothstein

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rivka Rothstein.

Hi Rivka, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
During my senior year of college in the acting program at Southern Methodist University (SMU), one semester of our Voice and Speech class was dedicated to the industry and craft of voice-over. At the time, I remember thinking, “Oh, I’m sure I’ll land here at some point when I’m done pursuing theatre and performance art.” I thought I might be 50 or 60 when voice-over became my main gig. As it turns out, I was right in predicting I would end up there, it just happened 30 years sooner!

My whole life has revolved around voice work to some degree. I grew up singing as soon as I could talk, took countless hours of singing lessons, and spent the majority of my high school days in the choir and acting classrooms. After graduating from college with a BFA in Acting, I moved abroad to Berlin, Germany, to pursue performance art. One of my side goals in moving there was to also become fluent in a second language, another kind of vocal study. My German skills, without my realizing it, put me in a relatively unique position.

Most ex-pats in the city get by with English, so I quickly stood out through my interest and commitment to the language and accent. This, in turn, set me up for a prime start in the VO industry. While I was struggling as an artist in Berlin and making ends meet by busking and working all kinds of odd jobs, an American friend of mine who lived in Berlin was doing a lot of work in English dubbing (which paid a lot better than busking). He translated or adapted foreign films before directing the dub into English.

As one of very few professionally-trained young female native US-English speakers in Berlin, he was keen to have me work for him. He asked me to record a few small roles, which led to recording larger roles, and this became my introduction to professional voice-over. After working together on several dubs, he suggested I try my hand at traditional VO (i.e. commercials, corporate narration, E-Learning, etc.), and advised me to reach out to different production houses around the city.

Again, given my credentials as one of very few trained native US-English speakers in Berlin (and especially as one who spoke fluent German, which made communication much easier), I was asked to record the English versions of projects for several big-name clients. I recorded for companies like Mercedes-Benz, Merck, Google, and Siemens within the first year of marketing myself – and all of it was still just a side gig.

In November 2020, I was fortunate enough to book a well-paying series of online commercials. I asked an investment-savvy friend of mine how I might use the money wisely, and he replied, “I think you should invest it in your career. Purchase the equipment and software you need, and turn this money into a legitimate and predictable yearly income. Voice-over is totally what you should be doing.” So I listened to him, bought a microphone, and ventured out into this new endeavor.

Shortly thereafter, I moved back home to Colorado, and put my focus on becoming a voice artist. I built my home studio, retained a few of my Berlin clients, and went to work on outreach. The journey has been up and down, as anyone in VO, gig work, or entrepreneurship will tell you. That said, as I finish out my first real year, I am very encouraged. From the get-go, I decided to focus on relationships first and foremost as I build my business. I have met and worked with some great people, and I have been given priceless guidance and support. It is without a doubt thanks to the people in my life that I am where I am, and headed where I’m headed!

My voice can currently be heard on two national TV campaigns (Eyeglass World, Western Union), STAR 93.3 radio station in Cincinnati, as Azamara Cruise’s brand and telephony voice, several foreign films dubbed into English on Amazon Prime, on countless Spotify ads, in a museum installation in Germany, in various other videos online, and on other projects, like as a vocalist for some of my musician friends’ recent albums.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Of course not! When I was living in Berlin, my visa only allowed me to make 450 EU a month. On top of that, I had some pressing health matters that were certainly not cheap. So, I had no savings to speak of, a pile of medical bills, and a brand-new business that required financial investment. The first bit of funding came from that online commercial campaign, and after that, I had to borrow funds. The decision to borrow was a big deal for me, someone who (at the time) valued independence above all else, and who never wanted to be in debt.

I had to rethink my mindset and give myself grace in realizing that borrowing money was both the best and the most respectable option for me. It was a big lesson in learning that it’s okay to ask for help. We aren’t made to do everything by ourselves, and in fact, we can’t, it’s impossible. But I had somehow convinced myself this was the case and had to work to shift my perspective to move my business forward.

The biggest ongoing struggle is never knowing when or how the next paycheck is going to come. The thing about VO is that you don’t know what’s going to happen each day – you could land that big gig you auditioned for last week or you could hear crickets. And on many days, certainly, in the beginning, it’s crickets. It’s a volatile industry that way.

I have always been self-motivated and willing to put in the grunt work to make things happen, but I’ve found myself in a line of work where there are more things beyond my control than within it. So I’ve had to learn to consistently practice letting go and to trust that the right gigs will come my way. As a recovering control freak who thinks she can do everything by herself, this has not been an easy task! But it has undoubtedly been a beneficial one.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work as a voice artist. I have a broadcast-quality home recording studio and I record my voice for a variety of different media projects. My voice can be heard on things like TV and radio commercials, e-Learning courses, animated films, dubbed foreign films, meditations, Kickstarter campaigns, radio imaging, and even those annoying phone trees that you have to go through to speak with a representative. I also do some work as a professional singer.

What initially sets me apart is my background. I have a unique story, and that’s intriguing to people. But after that, my commitment to relationships, to gratitude, and to valuing the people in my life is what, I believe, also helps me stand out. To be perfectly honest, what I am most proud of is how far I have come as a person. I work hard at becoming the person I want to be and to be happy with how I have shown up at the end of each day.

Some days I fall very short, no question! Some days are serious struggles (anxiety is never fun). But I ascribe to the mentality that the inner work is what is important above all else and that it is the foundation for a life of goodness.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
So many people deserve credit. My parents first and foremost deserve the biggest toast. They have been my biggest cheerleaders at each step of the way – and there have been a few iffy steps! I’ve had to lean into them at times for their support. They’ve been my rocks. I have to credit my investment-savvy friend who nudged me into full-time VO work two years ago. Without him, I’m not sure how long it would have taken for me to see the light. And of course, my other friend in Berlin who got me the initial gigs.

My coach, Dave Walsh, certainly deserves a nod; he provided me with the next level of technique and business savvy, and also introduced me to my 2nd biggest cheerleader and most amazing manager, Celia Siegel. Celia and her team gave both my business and my confidence the most incredible boosts. I credit them with helping my business grow last year as much as it has. And so much credit goes to my acting teachers and singing coaches throughout the years. I use the skills they taught me every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rivkarothstein.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivkavoice/ 

Image Credits
Emme Stanec, Andrew Amacher, Audioberlin, and Boris Kownatzki