Outside of acting, Atherton’s theater program has many different tech departments. One of these is sound, a very important technical aspect that helps bring plays to life.
Moon Blevins (12), is the head of sound. Starting freshman year, she joined sound because she found the technical side of theater intriguing.
(Evangelia Grivas)
For the 25-26 school year, Atherton put on a fall play, and they are currently working on a spring musical.
“During the fall productions, we set up speakers backstage and do the sound effects. For the spring plays, we’ll be in the audience, but control the mics so you can hear the actors,” said Blevins.
Every department has something special to offer towards the production.
“Sound is important because we need to hear the actors, and also helps the audience feel more immersed into the experience of the play or musical,” explained Blevins.
Shelby Steege, Atherton’s theater teacher and director, believes that while all the different technical aspects are important, sound does it in an interesting way.
“They help create the auditory environment. So beyond what the actors are saying, they add music or sound effects that help us understand what is happening in the story, and set the mood,” said Steege.
Through mics, sound effects, and music, sound’s ability to amplify the plays and musicals is a key part of the theater’s technical department.
Once Upon A Mattress is our theater’s next musical, playing dates being March 19th to 22nd. Make sure to come out and show your support, and remember the hard work the sound department puts in!
