Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association

Conceptual Sound Design

The Artistic Responsibilities of a Sound Designer

  • The sound designer works as a member of an artistic team to interpret and respond to a script in order to provide and control sound elements in all artistic aspects of the theatrical production. This collaborative process constructively influences the storytelling of a play.
  • The sound designer provides the producing organization with the artistic content (live and recorded sounds) and sound system specifications necessary to execute each design in a particular venue. Depending on the venue, there are more responsibilities such as you can see below under the responsibilities of the Musical Theatre Designer.
  • The sound designer must be available to the artistic and the production team for meetings as deemed necessary in every process.
  • The sound designer is active and present at rehearsals and previews until such time as their service to the production has been contractually and artistically satisfied.
  • The sound designer provides the producer with a list of any copyrighted materials requested for use in the production to facilitate theatre management’s ability to gain permissions and licensing for public use.

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Sound Design for Musical Theatre

The Artistic Responsibilities of a Sound Designer in Musical Theatre

  • The sound designer works as a member of an artistic team to interpret and respond to a book, lyrics, and score in order to provide and control sound elements, including mixing cast voices, musicians, and sound effects in all artistic aspects of the musical production. This collaborative process constructively influences the storytelling of a musical.
  • The sound designer provides the producing organization with all the technical specifications, necessary to execute each design in a particular venue. For touring productions, this responsibility may be substantially expanded. This normally would include considerations for the sound delivery system; paging systems; advanced com systems; detailed schematic block diagrams; production microphone plot; detailed system drafting including the integration of loudspeakers and microphones into scenic elements; run-of-show expendables; rental shop orders; and other equipment schedules.
  • The sound designer is available to the production team for design and production meetings as deemed necessary in each production process.
  • The sound designer is active and present at rehearsals and previews until such time as their service to the production has been contractually and artistically satisfied.

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Composition

The Artistic Responsibilities of a Composer

  • The composer works as a member of an artistic team to interpret and respond to a script in order to provide and control original musical elements within the theatrical production. This collaborative process constructively influences the storytelling.
  • The composer provides the producing organization with artistic content (for live performance or as recorded tracks).
  • Works with a sound designer to establish the technical specifications necessary to execute each design in a particular venue.
  • The composer provides appropriate charts or rehearsal tracks for a musical director, choreographer or in some cases a rehearsal pianist, for the purpose of teaching songs or dances to the cast.
  • The composer is present for design and production meetings as deemed necessary for the production process.
  • The composer is active and present at rehearsals and previews until such time as their service to the production has been contractually and artistically satisfied.
  • With respect to re-composition, (a process that borrows from or quotes previously published materials as a part of a new original work) the composer will provide the producer with a list of any copyrighted materials requested for use in the production. This will facilitate theatre management’s ability to gain permissions and licensing for public use.

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