What does the sound department do?

As part of the sound department, your job would be to handle everything related to the audio and visuals of a show, such as microphones, sound effects, projections, etc. You’ll work closely during tech days with not just the production team but also performers and band members to make sure everyone’s voice or instrument can be heard clearly, and ensuring the balance between actors and sound effects is kept in order. In addition to this, for some shows you would need to set up wiring to connect the band to the sound system, allowing you to balance actors, sound effects, and instruments all through the sound desk.

The workload of the sound department varies quite a fair bit between shows, with showcases mostly requiring playing sound tracks and balancing a few microphones, whereas a musical would need you to balance numerous microphones at once, time sound effects with cues, and ensure the band doesn’t overpower vocals. Although it sounds like a lot, the work is spread out between crew members on each show, each taking on a different role in the production.