It seems like easily half of the time, sound designs don't go where I expect them to. No matter where the overall show concept begins, where my own concept enters the picture, where rehearsals lead, and even where we begin when we enter the theatre - where the design sits on opening night is often completely different than where I started, or where I expected it to be.

Sometimes this progression is natural. Sometimes, it feels like pulling teeth. Now and then it happens in one big epiphany somewhere along the process and everything is rethought, replaced, changed, morphed, or adapted into something else. Sometimes, the transformation progresses so slowly, I hardly realize it's happened/happening until I step back from the project at the end. Sometimes I get angry over how my ideas are chucked in the dust bin, often before they're fully formed or even beginning to be realized. Sometimes I'm glad to see them go. But 9 times out of 10, as a designer, if I go with the show rather that some ideal in my head, in the long run it's the right path, even if I get there screaming and kicking all the while.

This is not a new theme or idea you've heard from me, but it's on my mind, so here it is. And this is something that I wish I had impressed upon young designers when I was still working in education.

So what do I mean, really, by going with the show? In part it's being true to the script, but it's a much bigger picture than that. Perhaps a more accurate term would be going with the production. It's not just the script - it's also the overall - other design elements, the cast, the crew, the theatre itself.

A production is like a living organism, with elements that are parts - but all a part of the whole. One element can dominate, but it still needs all the others.

In other words, you don't design in a void. Anything you do is going to be in combination with everything else on the show. A sound (or any particular) design isn't an independent entity of art like a piece of music, or a painting. It's not... like it or not... all about you.

And that means sometimes you just have to go with what happens as the show progresses, move as it does, and let go of things that you may happen to like. It's not always easy.

If my sound is in the way of an actor (rather than helping) or not in the same mood or feel of the lights - then with the help of the director we need to meet in the middle, or I need to change what I'm doing.

This comes back to that wonderful C word - collaboration. To be a successful designer (and I don't mean wealthy/constantly working) but to successfully put a show up... you have to also be a collaborator.

My two cents for the moment, cats and kittens.

Until next time,

~R