Meet the 2005 BSMC Faculty

As the 2005 Entertainment Design Master Classes approach, ED would like to introduce the 2005 Broadway Sound Master Class faculty. Creative consultant and legendary sound designer Abe Jacob leads a faculty of the top designers and entrepeneurs in sound design today. Join the acclaimed faculty at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, June 22-24, as they discuss theatre sound design, sound for musicals, playback systems, and more.

The 2005 Broadway Lighting Master Classes, Broadway Sound Master Classes, and Projection Master Classes will be held June 20-24, 2005 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, NYC. For more information visit www.broadwaymasterclasses.com.

Meet the 2005 Broadway Sound Master Class faculty:

Abe Jacob–Creative Consultant Abe Jacob, creative consultant for the Broadway Sound Master Classes, is also known as the "Godfather of Theater Sound Design." He has mentored generations of talented sound designers, and continues to actively design, remaining the in-house sound guru at New York City Ballet and Opera. Jacob started his career mixing sound for such 1960s rock stars as Jimi Hendrix; the Mamas and the Papas; and Peter, Paul, and Mary; and designed the sound system for the Monterey Pop Festival. His credits range from Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line, and Pippin to Chicago, Cats, and Evita. As the audio go-to guy for these and other seminal Broadway shows, he virtually created the sound designer position. In the past 15 years, Jacob helped secure a charter for sound designers within IATSE (Local 922). In 1993, he helped the Local achieve its first collective bargaining agreement with the League of American Theaters and Producers. In 1999, he helped merge sound designers with Local One.

As SIA Acoustics founder & principle consultant, Sam Berkow designs performing arts, production, and other sound critical facilities. SIA Acoustics also has a special events group, who design systems to provide tonally balanced and intelligible sound in acoustically challenging environments. SIA Acoustics has worked with several Broadway show designers as a consultant on acoustics, system design and optimization. Berkow is also the founder SIA Software Company, where he developed the SIA-Smaart measurement sound system optimization software package. His acoustical design projects include recording studios, broadcast facilities, production facilities, worship spaces, large multi-purpose venues, amphitheaters, and stadiums. Recent projects include the new home Jazz at Lincoln Center, Studios for Sound Lounge and Bionic Media, the acoustical design of the Republican National Convention, and the acoustical renovation of the Hollywood Bowl.

Andrew Bruce began his career in 1971 at the Royal Opera House, London. He co-founded Autograph, a leading British sound design and rental company. Autograph is responsible for numerous theatre productions in the UK and abroad, including Kiss Me, Kate; The Lion King; We Will Rock You; and The King and I. He is currently represented on Broadway with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Most recently, he designed the sound for the West End production of Mary Poppins. Bruce’s credits include: Chess, Follies, Into the Woods, Children of Eden, City of Angels, Martin Guerre, Putting It Together, Hair, The Witches of Eastwick, The Secret Garden, Sweeney Todd, the UK tours of Cats and Oliver! , and worldwide productions of Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, and Mamma Mia!

Laurence Estrin, principal and founder of Best Audio, has been involved in engineering, design, and production management in live entertainment for nearly 45 years. Estrin has managed technical support installations and operations facilities across the globe. His project work includes: audio designer and production communications director for The Academy Awards (over 20 years); audio and media technical coordinator for The Super Bowl (over 20 years); designer of the wireless microphone system used by NFL referees; production consultant/coordinating TD for several Presidential Inaugurations; and director of production/technical on the opening and closing ceremonies of various Olympics: Los Angeles, Barcelona, Calgary, Salt Lake City, Sydney, and Athens. Estrin created the audio design and production concept for Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade. He was part of the team that received a special Emmy Award (1989) for the creation of the RTS multi-channel production communications intercom system.

Peter Fitzgerald’s current sound designs on Broadway are La Cage aux Folles and Movin’ Out. His recent musical productions include 42nd Street, The Immigrant, the touring production of Big River, City Center Encores! Bye Bye Birdie, Who Wrote That, Swing! , Paul Simon’s The Capeman, Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews, Minnelli on Minnelli with Liza, Dream, The Life, City of Angels, Gypsy, Singin’ in the Rain, Rags, M. Butterfly, 3 Penny Opera with Sting, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. His play credits include 45 Seconds From Broadway, Stones in His Pockets, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and A Thousand Clowns. Fitzgerald is president of Sound Associates, Inc., New York.

Peter Hylenski designed the sound for last season’s Broadway productions of Sweet Charity, Little Women, Brooklyn, and Freshly Squeezed. Other credits include the West End production of Ragtime (Olivier Award nomination), Opening Doors, Princesses, Children’s Letters to God, Laughing Room Only, Dora the Explorer Live, Chef’s Theater, Scooby-Doo Live, Ovations! , Spoleto Festival U.S.A. (1999-2002), Blue’s Clues Live, Exactly Like You, Easter, and Niketown (NYC). As Associate Designer: Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity, Fosse, Taboo, Seussical, The Music Man, Follies, South Pacific, and Parade. Film credits: re-recording mixer for Search for Life (AMNH, Hayden Planetarium), SonicVision (MTV2, AMNH) and Passport to the Universe (Futuriscope Planetarium, France). Hylenski also works as a studio engineer and was responsible for creating the soundtrack for the European and world tours of Fosse, as well as other music and commercial projects.

John Kilgore is a sound designer, recording engineer, and composer, and the director of recording services for Masque Sound & Recording. He has designed sound for theatre at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Soho Rep, and the La Jolla Playhouse among others. His sound design for the LA production of Love! Valour! Compassion! was nominated for an Ovation Award. Kilgore’s recent recording credits include every work by Steve Reich since The Cave, including Music for 18 Musicians (1999 Grammy Award). He has recorded Dexter Gordon, Gil Evans' Orchestra, Big Mama Thornton, and The Empire Brass Quintet to name just a few. He was composer, behind-the-scenes performer, and musical director for Len Jenkin's Dream Express.

Brian Ronan designed the sound for All Shook Up and Twelve Angry Men, both playing on Broadway. His Broadway sound designs include State Fair; 1776; Triumph of Love; Cabaret; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Little Me; The Rainmaker; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife; Fortune’s Fool; The Boys From Syracuse; "Master Harold"...and the Boys; and The Look of Love. His Off-Broadway credits are Let’s Play Two, Stars in Your Eyes, and Bug for which he won an Obie and Lucille Lortel award. Ronan’s regional work includes Fiddler on the Roof, Peter Pan, George M, Into the Woods, Manhattan Theatre Club’s Time and Again, and McCarter Theatre’s Christmas Carol. Touring productions include: Busker Alley, first national tour of Beauty and the Beast (associate), Spirit, Seussical the Musical, and Oklahoma!