Sound Designer
At a Glance
- You craft the audible world. Music playback, effects, ambient, microphone reinforcement.
- Your closest partners: Director (vision), Music Director (tempos, vocal balance), Stage Manager (cue calling), Technical Director (system install), board operator (programming).
- Key deliverables: sound plot, cue list, microphone plot, source files, board show file.
- Where you live in the process: Pre-Tech and Tech Week heaviest; design work earlier, on call through performances.
- Phase responsibilities at the bottom: see By Phase.
Position Overview
The Sound Designer is responsible for crafting the auditory dimension of the production. Working in close collaboration with the Director and the full design team, the Sound Designer conceptualizes and executes all sound — including music, sound effects, ambient audio, and microphone reinforcement — in service of the story. This role requires both creative imagination and strong technical proficiency with sound systems and software.
Reports to: Production Manager Collaborates closely with: Director, Stage Manager, and full design team
Ongoing Knowledge and Oversight
- Know the sound system — the board, speakers, microphones, and the acoustic characteristics of the space.
- Become familiar with the booth, equipment, and operational processes well before tech begins.
- Check that all required equipment is available and in good working order early in the process.
- Note any equipment that may need repair or cause future issues and communicate with Stage Management or Production Manager promptly.
- Maintain regular communication with the Stage Manager, Director, and other production positions.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of all other production positions.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Strong artistic sensibility with the ability to use sound to support mood, story, and atmosphere.
- Solid technical proficiency with sound boards, microphone systems, and playback software.
- Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work within a defined creative framework.
- Ability to work effectively with young artists while maintaining high production standards.
- Strong organizational skills to manage cue documentation and production timelines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in audio engineering, music production, or theatrical sound design.
- Experience with QLab or similar show control software.
- Familiarity with wireless microphone systems and RF coordination.
- Previous experience in a professional or community theatre context.
Working Conditions
- Work primarily during evenings and weekends to accommodate young artists’ schedules.
- Collaborative environment requiring close coordination with the full design and production team.
- Stationed in the booth during tech and performances; may require work on the stage during focus and load-in.
- Fast-paced during technical rehearsals and performances, requiring focus and precise execution.
Success Measures
- Sound designs that serve the director’s vision and clearly support the emotional arc of the production.
- All cues programmed and tested before tech begins.
- Smooth integration of sound with lighting, set, and costumes during dry tech and tech rehearsals.
- Effective, professional collaboration with the Director, Stage Manager, and design team.
- Consistent, clean sound execution throughout the production run.
By Phase
Inception
Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.
Onboarding
- Complete child safety training.
- Submit background check.
- Submit W-9.
- Sign and return contract.
- Complete onboarding process.
Initial Production Work
- Begin reviewing the script for sound and music scope.
- Attend the onboarding meeting with the full production team.
See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.
Pre-Production
- Obtain a script and develop thorough knowledge of the sound needs — noting cue points, microphone requirements, live sound effects, and any special audio moments.
- Participate in all production meetings.
- Obtain the production schedule and timeline from Stage Management or Production Manager.
- Map your schedule against the full production calendar, including rehearsals, tech week, key milestones, designer run, dry tech, and opening night.
- Obtain the contact list and maintain communication with Stage Management, the Director, and fellow designers.
Casting
- Light involvement.
See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.
Rehearsals
- Engage in and respect a harmonious, collaborative working environment.
- Check and respond to the daily rehearsal report as needed.
- Continue attending production meetings and maintain ongoing communication with the production team.
Designer Run. The tech process begins at the designer run. Come in with a fully realized understanding of the sound design — how it works both from a storytelling perspective and in practical execution. This is your opportunity to identify and resolve issues before moving into the performance space.
Sound designers should arrive with a fully realized design but remain flexible and ready to collaborate with the rest of the team. The run should inspire even greater specificity in the design.
The designer run should always be followed by a production meeting where questions and discrepancies can be addressed.
See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Pre-Tech
Pre-Tech is when all design elements should be installed and ready so Tech can integrate rather than build. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full process and timeline.
- Music and sound cues should be imported and tested through the board.
- Run through every track in the house to confirm balance and playback.
- Microphones should be connected, labeled, and tested.
- All cues should be adjusted and balanced appropriately before the first tech session.
Dry Tech
Dry Tech runs the design team through cues with no actors or costumes yet — set moves, lights, sound, sets coordinating. See 5 - Pre-Tech for the full Dry Tech process.
- Import music into the sound system.
- Test sound equipment/levels in the performance space.
- Ensure microphones are working properly.
- Create the mic plot.
See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.
Technical Rehearsals
The Sound Designer is responsible for ensuring all sound is working, balanced, and serving the production throughout tech.
- Number and record all sound cues in a script, aligned with Stage Management documentation.
- Run and operate all sound cues during the tech process.
- Attend post-tech production meetings at the Stage Manager’s discretion. Assume a meeting will occur after actors are released unless told otherwise.
- Continue close collaboration with the Director and Stage Manager.
- Ensure microphones continue to work properly; revise and update the mic plot as needed.
- Adjust levels, timing, and sound effects based on director and stage management feedback.
- Balance sound levels.
- Attend production meetings.
See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.
Performance
The Sound Designer/Operator is responsible for maintaining a consistent execution of the sound design throughout the run.
- Arrive at least one hour before curtain, or earlier depending on the complexity of the show.
- Check and test all sound equipment and microphones before every performance.
- Once sound checks are complete, notify Stage Management that you are ready to open the house.
- Call all sound cues during the run of the show.
- Receive and implement notes from Stage Management.
- Communicate any equipment in need of repair or replacement to Stage Management or production staff promptly.
- Light involvement once the show is open; available for maintenance.
See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.
Post-Production
- Supervise strike of sound elements.
- Archive design materials and submit final reports/budgets.
See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.
Related
Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett