Nathan McWilliams
Senior Audiovisual Consultant, Arup
nathan.mcwilliams@arup.com

Lisa Sun
Principal Show Set Designer, Resolution Design Inc.
Production Design Consultant, Meow Wolf Denver

Shawn Tuohey
Owner/Principal Show Set Designer, 2E Scenic Design Studio

Chris Hill
Senior Creative Director of Themed Portfolio, Adena Corporation

ABSTRACT:
Loudspeakers can be cumbersome objects to integrate into themed environments, and a sound designer’s desire to keep sound images on stage or aligned with a particular aural aesthetic can conflict with a scenic designer’s drive to shape the visual narrative. This paper explores techniques used to craft illusions for hiding loudspeakers in a wide variety of themed environments, but with a particular focus on methods for executing hides in diverse materials, diverting audience attention away from loudspeakers, balancing tradeoffs like cost or longevity, and team consensus building to ensure that themed speaker grilles are seamlessly integrated and sounding great.

FULL PAPER:
The Art of Illusion and Distraction in Integrating Loudspeakers Within Themed Environments
Publication: USITT Current Practices and Research in Sound
March 8, 2021

PRESENTATION:
The 61st Annual USITT Conference
March 8, 2021

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