Sound Design for Theater

Sound design is the art of creating the sounds heard during a show. A sound designer picks music, sound effects, and microphone levels. Thunder, rain, birds singing, or a doorbell are all made by sound designers. Good sound makes a show feel real and exciting.

What Sound Designers Do

Sound designers read the script and decide what sounds are needed. They record or find sound effects. They set up speakers and microphones in the theater. During the show, they control the volume and timing. Every sound must happen at just the right moment.

Sound Effects

Some sound effects are made with real objects. Shaking a sheet of metal sounds like thunder. Crinkling cellophane sounds like fire. Other effects are made on computers. Sound designers also make sure the actors' voices can be heard clearly by everyone in the theater.

Fun Facts

• Before recorded sound, theaters used real objects to make sound effects backstage.
• A thunder sheet is a big piece of metal shaken to make thunder sounds.
• Sound designers can make an audience feel scared just by changing the sounds.

Did You Know?

In the old days, theater workers would shake dried peas in a box to make the sound of rain!