Sound Sessions

Wednesday, March 19

Sound has become a major component of the Prague Quadrennial. A panel of sound designers who participated in the Scenofest at Prague Quadrennial 2007 will describe their experiences, share visual and aural examples of the event, and talk about future plans for sound at PQ.

An open meeting of the Sound Commission to include a briefing of current Commission business/projects and discussion of future Conference programming.

The Sound Commission is in the process of establishing graphics standards for student use in documentation of sound design projects. The panelists will present a draft of the proposed standards document for feedback and discussion.

Hear the work of several sound designers who were all given the same design challenge only three hours earlier. All material will be recorded on-site with no sound effect libraries allowed!

The ninth annual open listening session of current, past, or in-progress works combined with demonstration of the experimental Sound Design Archive Project work to date. Bring Five minute limit, audio CD (or bring a specific playback device).

Thursday, March 20

Sound designers working in the Houston area will discuss their work with local companies.

Continuing the series of presentations about loudspeakers and their interface with systems and audiences, this panel presentation includes both theory and practical demonstrations.

Friday, March 21

Presentation of student sound designs and portfolios, with open critique after each.

Using MAX/MSP and PD for Interactive Theatrical Design. This year’s software presentation will feature MAX/MSP including a general overview of the software and its open source counterpart Pure Data (PD). A number of examples of the software model’s workflow for theatrical sound design will be presented.

An open forum for educators, industry professionals, and students to exchange ideas and discuss the practice of sound design and technology.

John and Helen Meyer talk about their life in audio and their long connection to theatre sound and USITT. Session includes presentation to them of the 2008 Harold Burris-Meyer Distinguished Career in Sound Award.

Saturday, March 22

Presentation of student sound designs and open critique after each.

An impressive list of distinguished sound designers will be joining us in Houston to honor Abe Jacob, the subject of the latest volume of USITT’s Monograph Series. We will assemble a “Mystery Panel” of guest designers to regale us with stories of their work, and of how their careers intersected with Mr. Jacob.

2005 Distinguished Achievement in Sound Award Winner Jonathan Deans will discuss his recent projects with Cirque du Soleil and on Broadway.

Part of the 2008 Historical Focus on Broadway Sound Design, Steve Kennedy, who began his career working with Abe Jacob, discusses his career in the industry, including recent Broadway hits Jersey Boys, Mary Poppins, Hairspray, and The Producers.

An all-star tribute to Abe Jacob, known as the ‘Godfather of Theater Sound’ and the subject of the latest volume of USITT’s Monograph Series. A panel of prominent sound designers and industry giants who have worked with Mr. Jacob throughout his amazing career will assemble to tell tales and toast his remarkable achievements.