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The role of the sound designer

The unsung heroes of theatre productions, sound designers are essential for curating and maintaining a production's atmosphere and tone. Nick Smurthwaite elaborates on what a sound designer does, highlighting some successful sound specialists
Adobe Stock/ Sura Nual Pradid

Kick-starting any career in the theatre is seldom easy, but in order to succeed as a sound designer you have to be specially gifted and, more importantly, exceptionally tenacious. Even more than lighting and set design, sound is a discipline of particular yet infinite variations, so the director needs to have complete trust in his or her sound designer to come up with the goods. It takes a solid track record to establish that trust, and that takes time.

One of our hardest-working and most respected sound designers is Jon Nicholls, whose career began in the mid 1990s after extensive training in composition and musical skills at the London College of Music, and Dartington College, Devon.

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