Theatre[edit]

See also: Sound reinforcement system and Architectural acoustics

Sound design, as a separate discipline, is one of the youngest fields in stagecraft, second only to the
use of projection and other multimedia displays, although the ideas and techniques of sound design
have been around almost since theatre started. Dan Dugan, working with three stereo tape decks
routed to ten loudspeaker zones[11] during the 196869 season of American Conservatory
Theater (ACT) in San Francisco, was the first person to be called a sound designer.[12]
Modern audio technology has enabled theatre sound designers to produce flexible, complex, and
inexpensive designs that can be easily integrated into live performance. The influence of film and
television on playwriting is seeing plays being written increasingly with shorter scenes, which is
difficult to achieve with scenery but easily conveyed with sound. The development of film sound
design is giving writers and directors higher expectations and knowledge of sound design.
Consequently, theatre sound design is widespread and accomplished sound designers commonly
establish long-term collaborations with directors.
Sound design for musicals and sound design for plays[edit]
Some sound designers specialize in certain genres of work, though typically most work across all
genres. The two most common specialisms are in musical theatre, and plays; with others including
devised work, children's theatre, dance and opera.
Sound Design for Musicals
Sound Design for Musicals often focuses on the design and implementation of a sound
reinforcement system that will fulfill the needs of the production. If a sound system is already
installed in the performance venue, it is the sound designer's job to tune the system for the best use
for a particular production. Sound system tuning employs various methods including equalization,
delay, volume, speaker and microphone placement, and in some cases, the addition of new
equipment. In conjunction with the director and musical director, if any, the sound reinforcement
designer determines the use and placement of microphones for actors and musicians. The sound
reinforcement designer ensures that the performance can be heard and understood by everyone in
the audience, regardless of the shape, size or acoustics of the venue, and that performers can hear
everything needed to enable them to do their jobs. While sound design for a musical largely focuses
on the artistic merits of sound reinforcement, many musicals, such as Into the Woods also require
significant sound scores (see Sound Design for Plays). Sound Reinforcement Design was
recognized by the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards with the Tony Award for Best Sound
Design of a Musical until the 2014-15 season.[13]
Sound Design for Plays

Sound Design for Plays often involves the selection of music and sounds (sound score) for a
production based on intimate familiarity with the play, and the design, installation, calibration and
utilization of the sound system that reproduces the sound score. The sound designer for a play and
the production's director work together to decide the themes and emotions to be explored. Based on
this, the sound designer for plays, in collaboration with the director and possibly the composer,
decides upon the sounds that will be used to create the desired moods. In some productions, the
sound designer might also be hired to compose music for the play. The sound designer and the
director usually work together to "spot" the cues in the play (i.e., decide when and where sound will
be used in the play). Some productions might use music only during scene changes, whilst others
might use sound effects. Likewise a scene might be underscored with music, sound effects or
abstract sounds that exist somewhere between the two. Some sound designers are accomplished
composers, writing and producing music for productions as well as designing sound. Many sound
designs for plays also require significant sound reinforcement (see Sound Design for Musicals).
Sound Design for plays was recognized by the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards with the Tony
Award for Best Sound Design of a Play until the 2014-15 season.[13]