
I have been designing sound for a lot of readings, lately. I think that is due to an equal mix of the economy and how simple it is to bring sound to spaces big and small.
People are adding more flash to readings, bringing the plays to a nearly finished state, for the purpose of luring investors and filling them in on the direction the play is going. One of the many jobs I had before I became a full time sound designer, was to read stage directions. Tech was rarely involved, lights up and down were as fancy as we usually got, and I would read the tech directions (loud noise, car pass, sheep slaughtered). These days, many theatres have house sound systems, in order for them to rent out the space for events. These systems are generally very simple, two speakers and a CD player, not enough for a real production, but easily enough for a staged reading. Sound is the least expensive of all of the elements, you don’t need to hang and focus a bunch of lights, build any scenery, or buy any costumes. During a reading, I am often the only designer in the room, however, some readings add lights and if they are really ambitions, sets, clothes and video.
Over the next couple of posts I will be weighing the pros and cons of trying to turn a reading into a mini-production. Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts on this topic.