Sound Design - New Plays Festival

Prior to starting work on any Columbia Theatre production, please make sure to read and understand the duties and stipulations for general design work at Columbia and the specific design area as detailed below.

General Information for All Design Disciplines

  • The Theatre Program will only be responsible for department-approved designs that are received by their designated deadlines.
  • Columbia property may not be altered without express permission.
  • It is the responsibility of each designer to keep and fill out a comprehensive list of their items, categorizing everything by owner and location origin.
  • There are no deliveries of purchased goods available on the weekends.
  • All items purchased by the production budget are the property of Columbia University after the production.
  • NYU designers need faculty permission from NYU to participate in Columbia SOA thesis productions.
  • If a designer is going to be remote for all or most of the design process, their participation in the production must be approved by the relevant production staff to ensure that the designer’s in-person duties are adequately covered by a member of the production team. It is strongly recommended that designers be able to attend in-person rehearsals and meetings.
  • A written and signed agreement indemnifying Columbia of liability must be provided for any items loaned to the production or borrowed for the production from sources outside Columbia.
  • Each design area has a Festival Coordinator (Scenic, Props, Costumes, Lighting, Sound, and Video/Projection). This person is intended to be the liaison from your production to the staff throughout your process. They are there to coordinate the design ideas of the director/playwright/designer, within the parameters listed in each of the areas below.

Important Locations

Sound Designer Deliverables

Sound Designer Responsibilities

  • Present at all Columbia Production Meetings, and Technical/Dress Rehearsals.
  • Sound Designer is responsible for programming all sound cues.
  • Sound Designer is responsible for operating QLab during technical rehearsals.  During final dress and performances, one operator for sound/video is provided.  See collaboration section below.
  • All drafting MUST be turned in on time in either Vectorworks or PDF format.
  • Source any purchases needed and send links/information to the Production Manager for payment.
  • If any items are borrowed or loaned, the designer must submit a master list and coordinate transportation of said items to/from the theater.

Sound Design Stipulations

  • Sound Inventory is linked here.
  • Columbia will rig speakers & a repertory sound system.
  • Rep plot speakers cannot move or be refocused.
  • Up to 2 wired speakers may be added (not hung from the grid).
  • 1 wireless speaker may be added (not hung from the grid.)
  • 4 wireless handheld microphones and 4 adjustable mic stands are available for use.
  • Each show in rep can use up to 6 body mics total.  If used, an A1 must be hired as part of the creative team.  
  • Live mixing requires a sound position in the house, which will reduce the total number of seats available for both shows in rep that week.
  • The program will supply a computer to run sound, equipped with QLab 5.  A KVM setup in the house will be available during tech.
  • Columbia has an agreement in place with ASCAP and BMI that allows the use of music in their catalogs without paying additional rights. SongView is the easiest way to search both catalogs. Rights must be secured separately to use any music or recordings that are not owned by ASCAP or BMI.

Collaboration with Video Designer

  • Video/Projection QLab cues will be fired via network cues from the Sound QLab. The Video/Projection Designer will need to work with the Sound Designer to build these network cues throughout tech. The A/V Supervisor will provide templates for this and assist in confirming the connection and operation of these cues.
  • During performances, the Sound QLab will be operated by a student employee. If the production would prefer video cues to be fired by a separate individual, this will need to be approved ahead of time, and the production would need to supply the additional crew member.

Sound Coordinator / AV Supervisor: Jacob Robinson

Contact: [email protected]

Sound Coordinator Duties include: 

  • Helping with the implementation of the designer, director and/or playwright’s vision, and acquiring what is needed for the production.
  • Loading in/setting up audio/video elements
  • Overseeing/Coordinating the pre-show announcement plan with the production.
  • Anticipating changeovers between shows (striking/placing audio elements)
  • The Sound Coordinator is only responsible for the actual elements of the production (nothing pre-load in, such as equipment, sound cues, or speakers for rehearsal).
  • Please Note: The Sound Coordinator will not be at the performances.  A Sound/Video QLab operator will be in place for all performances.
  • The Sound Coordinator will not be responsible for any recording.
  • Sound Designer is responsible for programming all sound cues.

If a Sound Designer is not hired for the production, the following parameters must be followed:

  • The director and/or playwright will indicate the specific design needs to the Sound Coordinator.
  • The Sound Coordinator can provide minimal programming - less than 10 sound cues and a pre/post show playlist.
  • All audio files must be sourced by the creative team and delivered to the Sound Coordinator on the first day of tech at the latest. These must be the actual files (mp3, mp4, wav), not links to youtube or a streaming service.
  • A sound cue sheet must be completed by the production prior to tech and submitted to the Sound Coordinator.
  • Pre-show announcements are mandatory.  The pre-show announcement must happen in the performance space, within 10 minutes of the start of the performance, and be audible.
    • You may pre-record this or do it live.
    • It must be audible, after the house has closed, and with the audience seated.
    • Language example: (The language about exit is the only part required). "Hello and welcome to _______________. Please take a moment to identify the nearest exit. For the safety of our actors, no photography is allowed. Please use this opportunity to silence your phone. Most importantly: enjoy the show.”
    • There is a stock pre-show announcement available for use.
    • Please submit any variance of this language to the Production Manager/Director of Production for approval, before recording.