In February 2024, I designed the sound system for Antigone at the Menlo School. My role was to design and build a sound system to bring to life the soundscape and effects created by Brendan Dreaper, in the Spieker Center for the Arts theater.
The play was set in a modern day underground bunker on a military base serving as the seat of government waging a war above. Main elements of the sound system:
4 loudspeakers in the corners of the flyspace 20 feet above stage created the sense of the war raging above ground. The sound of aircraft passing overhead, bombs exploding in the distance, tolling bells, air raid sirens, and voice announcements were spatialized and treated to create the sense of being underground and the war raging above ground.
3 loudspeakers placed around the 3/4 thrust stage at audience level played music, and voiceover cues.
2 loudspeakers at stage level played footsteps, large security doors opening and closing, and other sounds creating the sense of place in the bunker.
All of these system elements allowed for creative placement and treatment of the audio cues and music to heighten and propel the dramatic action of the play.
