Wake Forest University Theatre Presents
SHE LOVES ME
Sound Design & Production Portfolio for Musical Theatre
THE 290-B: Sound for Musical Theatre Special Seminar Course
In Spring 2022, Professor Jeff Sherwood at Wake Forest University created an opportunity to offer an inaugural special seminar for students interested in sound design and audio engineering for the department's bi-annual musical theatre production, She Loves Me. The course included students from across campus.
This website portfolio is the culminating project in the course which offered theoretical foundational knowledge paired with practical hands-on learning for a large scale musical based on New York City industry practices. As part of the learning objectives, the sound students created this website to document their work, build their portfolios, and educate the greater Wake Forest University community about sound for musical theatre.
She Loves Me
Book by Joe Masteroff, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, Music by Jerry Bock
Produced by Wake Forest University Theatre
Harold C. Tedford MainStage at Scales Fine Arts Center
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
300-Seat Proscenium
April 2022
Directed by J.K. Curry
Music Director & Conductor David Hagy
Scenic Designer Rob Eastman-Mullins
Lighting Designer Kevin Frazier
Costume Designer Mary Wayne-Thomas
Sound Designer Jeff Sherwood
Assistant Sound Designer Julia Medina
Vocal Director & Additional Staging by Natalie Cordone
Vocal Director Elizabeth Pacheco Rose
Choreographer Nina Lucas-Rice
Stage Manager Georgia Orchid
Performance Space
Tedford Stage - Scales Fine Arts Center
The Tedford Stage at Wake Forest University is a mainstage proscenium with capabilities of seating roughly 344 persons. For this specific production of She Loves Me, considering the settings and involvement of orchestra, the first three rows were not available for seating unless required for capacity.
Want to get involved with Sound at Wake?
Sound positions on University Theatre productions are open to ALL students on campus, and no prior experience is necessary! Course credit can be available as well for production work.
Just reach out to Richard Williams at williara@wfu.edu for more information.
Click to read a short description of sound positions for theatre productions at WFU below:
Mainstage Sound Designer -- the primary content creator and artistic decisions regarding the sonic experience of the audience. This person works closely with the director to interpret the script and follow conceptual ideas to execute the sound design, including finding or creating music, and finding or creating sound effects and ambiences needed according to the script, concept, and conversations with the director. Typically this person has already taken THE 253 Sound & Projections Design, and/or taken THE 150 Intro to Design & Production, as well as being involved in some way on a mainstage production before.
Assistant Sound Designer -- this person attends all weekly meetings, takes notes for the designer, and assists the designer with anything needed ranging from recording sound effects, gathering music samples, creating paperwork for the sound cues and sound system. We can be flexible in terms of your level of responsibility and involvement based on what you are wanting out of the experience.
Production Sound Engineer -- similar to the position of Head Electrician in the lighting world, this person coordinates the load-in and installation of speakers and sound equipment, including intercom. They work with the sound design team to make sure the sound system is set up properly and ready to go for tech rehearsals. Hours are usually worked during weekday business hours, except when they are on-call for tech and performances.
Assistant Production Sound Engineer -- assists the Production Sound Engineer, a good way to observe the process and get some hands-on experience with sound systems, training to become the lead production sound engineer on another show.
Sound Board Operator -- this person triggers the sound cues at the right moment during each performance. They are present for the tech rehearsals (usually the week before the show opens) and all of the performances, and will receive class credit for hours spent through THE 100 Participation. A great way to get an introduction to the sound production process.
Assistant Sound Board Operator -- this person assists the Sound Board Operator, usually in more of an observational/shadowing role, training to become the lead sound board operator on another show.
About the course
Sound Design for Musical Theatre is a Special Seminar course at Wake Forest University that is cross-listed as THE 290: Special Seminar and EGR 280: Engineering Projects for Non-Majors, and was first offered in Spring 2022.