About

Tess Raunig was born and raised in Missoula Montana, but they are currently based in the Pacific Northwest, with representation both there, and in Los Angeles. They are trans and non-binary, and they live with visible and invisible disabilities.​

Tess's love for performing started when they were young, onstage, at Missoula Children's Theatre. They lived in Portland OR from 2013-2025, where they got their start, performing with companies such as the Disability Art and Culture Project, Impetus Arts, and Genderbomb. An accomplished musician and songwriter, they hold Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Montana.

From 2016 to 2018, they were one half of the Portland based folk-pop duet Tess & Linus, with Linus Ember. In January 2018, the duo had the honor of performing Tess's original song "Changes" with Transpose, Portland's first transgender and non-binary choir.  In March 2018, Tess & Linus decided to expand their musical family, and founded the theatrical folk pop band, Sasha and The Children, along with Jacqueline Hyde and Jason Champion.  In November 2018 Sasha and The Children released their debut EP "Can't Fall Asleep".​

In 2019, they made their professional acting debut, at Artists Repertory Theatre, in Mike Lew's Teenage Dick, at a darkly comedic, high school retelling of Shakespeare's Richard III.  Their portrayal Barbara "Buck" Buckingham was met with glowing reviews.  ​

"Tess Raunig, [is] an electric scene stealer."-Suzette Smith, The Portland Mercury

"Raunig...is superb."  Teal Shearer, New Mobility Magazine

"[Raunig is] stellar." Krista Garver, Broadway World.com

"...if there’s any justice in the universe, this role should be followed by many more." -Amy Wang, The Oregonian 

They have gone on to work with other companies such as Limbo Films, Another Country Productions, Adventuress Productions, hand2mouth Theatre, Crave Theatre Company, Fuse Theatre Ensemble, Oregon Children’s Theatre,  Bag & Baggage Productions, Catalyst Film Collective, and Trans Voices Showcase PDX. They are also an associate member of Original Practice Shakespeare Festival.