Zack Bennett

Thoughts of a colored man

Associate Sound Designer - September-October 2021

Golden Theatre. New York, New York

• Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III

• Sound Design by Mikaal Sulaiman

• Scenic Design by Robert Brill

• Costume Design by Toni-Leslie James

• Lighting Design by Ryan J. O’Gara

• Projection Design by Sven Ortel

  It was an honor to continue with this powerful and timely production as it made it’s Broadway debut. This production required an immersive sound system to be designed and installed in a historic space. I coordinated with our production engineering team and PRG to design a system that best supported Mikaal’s vision, and the limitations on the space and budget. We once again utilized Ableton to manipulate live vocals and support actors across the space.

Associate Sound Designer - September-October 2019

Syracuse Stage & Baltimore Center Stage

• Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III

• Sound Design by Mikaal Sulaiman

• Scenic Design by Robert Brill

• Costume Design by Toni-Leslie James

• Lighting Design by Ryan J. O’Gara

• Projection Design by Sven Ortel

After connecting with Sound Designer, Mikaal Sulaiman during my fellowship at Chautauqua Theatre Company, I was offered the role of Assistant Sound Designer for this co-production between Syracuse Stage and Baltimore Center Stage. Mikaal sent sketches of his desired speaker plot which I drafted to fit Syracuse’s inventory and rental package. The system included mics for all actors, routed through Ableton for EQ and effects. While assisting during tech in Syracuse, I updated paperwork and drafted for the Baltimore production with a different inventory and rep system. During tech in Baltimore, I served as proxy at the tech table when Mikaal had to be away for another production.

Photos property of Syracuse Stage

One Man, Two Guvnors

Assistant Sound Designer - July 2019

Chautauqua Theater Company.  Chautauqua Institution, NY

• Directed by Andrew Borba

• Sound Design by Rob Kaplowitz

• Scenic Design by Lee Savage

• Costumes by Angela Calin

• Lighting Design by Scott Bolman

As a part of my Fellowship with Chautauqua Theatre Company, I assisted Tony Award Winning Sound Designer, Rob Kaplowitz. I worked closely with the Chautauqua Staff to establish a rental package that best served the show while remaining in budget. I served as a liaison between the Sound Designer and the Musical Director throughout the rehearsal and tech processes. I also assisted Production Management in line gear and instruments for the band.

The Christians

Assistant Sound Designer - June/July 2019

Chautauqua Theater Company.  Chautauqua Institution, NY

• Directed by Taibi Magar

• Sound Design by Mikaal Sulaiman

• Scenic & Projection Design by Adam Rigg

• Costumes by Andrew Jean

• Lighting Design by Masha Tsimring

As Chautauqua Theatre Company’s Sound Fellow, I assisted Mikaal Sulaiman on Lucas Hnath’s The Christians. As Assistant, I worked to draft, create patching schemes, and implement Mikaal’s vision. I worked closely with the Theater Sound Supervisor to make the best use of CTC’s inventory to support this production. During a technically challenging load in for all departments, including setbacks caused by fly-system failure, I adjusted our plan to ensure a system that supported the aesthetic of this production.

National Order of the Arrow Conference

Associate Sound Designer - July 2018

Assembly Hall, Indiana University - Bloomington, IN

• Sound Designer: Barry Funderburg

• Produced by OA Shows

• Under the direction of The Boy Scouts of America National Organization

7,000 Arrowmen from across the Boy Scouts of America gathered at Indiana University for a week to celebrate their years of service, and plan the next. As the Sound Designer on site, my duties included: supervision of system installation and tuning, arranging playback, collaborating with the directors, recording and coaching voice-overs, and training RF and Sound Board Operators. I worked to ensure the Designer was well informed while working remotely. I also established relationships with the client’s numerous directors to ensure a production that exceeded expectations.

2017 National Scout Jamboree

Associate Sound Designer - July 2017

Bechtel Summit National Scout Reserve - Mt. Hope, West Virginia

• Sound Designer: Barry Funderburg

• Produced by Freeman Productions

• Under the direction of The Boy Scouts of America National Organization

• In association with Freeman Productions, Alford Media, and MSI.

This event for an audience of over 50,000 people throughout the week centered around evening stadium shows.  As a member of the creative team and the representative of the Sound Designer, I worked to adjust Barry’s creation to the ever-changing needs of the production.  This included not only changes during the limited rehearsals, but also on the fly during events.  The soundscape included underscoring for news reports, audience participation, theatrical staging of BSA traditions, and a wide variety of emcees and speakers.  Working with such a large production company, and an ambitious client such as BSA corporate required clear, concise, and constant communication.  As the only member of the BSA production staff specializing in sound, my main focus was stadium shows but I also mixed bands and consulted on setup of other stages across the reserve.

PHOTOS property of the white house or the boy scouts of america.

Around the World in 80 Days

Associate Sound Designer - May 2017

Clarence Brown Theatre - Knoxville, Tennessee

• Directed by Kate Buckley.

• Sound Design by Joe Payne.

• Scenic Design by Nevena Prodanović

• Costumes by Victor Bercher.

• Lighting Design by Maranda DeBusk.

I began this production as the assistant and was quickly promoted to associate when the designer was no longer able to attend the process in person.  I served as his liaison in person to the entire team.  During tech, I programmed and made judgment calls while the designer observed via webcam.  Any notes he wished to convey had to be shared with the rest of the team through me.  This led to a balancing act during tech of listening and adjust what was unfolding on stage, while also communicating the designer’s notes or filling him in on conversations occurring out of his mic shot. 

Top Girls

Assistant Sound Designer (Original Music)- April 2017

Clarence Brown Lab Theatre.  Knoxville, Tennessee

• Directed by Casey Sams

• Sound Design & Original Music by Mike Ponder

• Scenic Design by Jelena Andzic

• Costumes by Devin O'Neil

• Lighting Design by Jordan Vera

As the Assistant Designer, I worked with Mike to research run-way music as well as historical music from the time of each of the heroic women featured in the first scene.  We then created songs that combined the two genres, which matched the modern aesthetic of the production.  I created much of the transition music, based on runway loops.  The tracks I created can be heard below.

The Busy Body

Assistant Sound Designer - March 2017

Clarence Brown Theatre.  Knoxville, Tennessee

• Directed by John Sipes

• Sound Design by Maranda DeBusk

• Scenic Design by Nevena Prodanović

• Costumes by Marianne Custer

• Lighting Design by John Ambrosone

This reformation comedy provided a challenge as a proscenium stage was constructed in a theatre intend to be in the round.  I worked with the designer to create a system that provided coverage around the room without obstructing sight lines.  I then assisted in installing the system and programming Q-Lab.

Outside Mullingar

Assistant Sound Designer - February 2017

Clarence Brown Theatre.  Knoxville, Tennessee

• Directed by Kate Buckley

• Composition & Sound Design by Joe Cerqua

• Scenic Design by Henry Wilkinson

• Costumes by Kyle Andrew Schellinger

• Lighting Design by Tannis Kapell

As assistant to Joe Cerqua, I worked to take his original compositions for this show and tailor them to this production.  Pre-production, I worked with the house engineer to create a system that provided full coverage for music while still allowing for environmental sounds to surround the audience.  During the tech process, I programmed Q-Lab and trained the board operator.

Violet

Assistant House Sound Engineer

Clarence Brown Theatre.  Knoxville, Tennessee

• Directed by Bill Jenkins.

• Sound Design by Matt Tibbs.

• House Sound Engineer: Mike Ponder

• Musical Director: Terry Silver-Alford

This musical incorporated an onstage band, a cast of 11, and a full gospel choir into a bus ride from North Carolina to Oklahoma.  As Assistant House Engineer, I worked with the House Engineer to set up the system, program the board, created fitted mic rigs, and train the A2 and assist in training the mixer.

South Pacific

Assistant Sound Designer & Mixer - May 2016

Clarence Brown Theatre.  Knoxville, Tennessee

• Directed by Terry Silver-Alford.

• Sound Design by Barry G Fundenburg.

• Scenic Design by Jack Magaw.

• Costumes by Kathryn Rohe.

• Lighting Design by John Horner.

• Projections by Maranda Debusk.

This Rodgers and Hammerstein classic involved a mic'ed cast of 40 and a full orchestra, all in a packed 600 seat house.  As the Assistant Designer and Mixer, I worked with the House Engineer to load in the system, train the A2s and playback operator, and ensured the sonic experience the Designer intended was preserved through my mix.