It's finally here: the month that The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards® finally recognize the work of sound designers. Just seeing the nominees released in May was pretty amazing, especially that Dan Moses Schreier, one of our own faculty members for the Broadway Sound Master Classes, was nominated (for his work on the revival of Gypsy).
You can see all the nominees for creative awards on p. 15, but given the historic nature of this year's event, I don't think it's overdoing it to congratulate all the nominees in both new categories (Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical): Simon Baker, Adam Cork, Ian Dickson, Mic Pool, Acme Sound Partners, Sebastian Frost, Scott Lehrer, and again, Dan Moses Schreier.
And sound designers are not the only creative folks finally getting the recognition they deserve. While the Drama Desk Awards nominating committee is ahead of its Tony counterpart, having added a dedicated category this year for Outstanding Projection and Video Design, at least the Tony folks are giving a nod to the craft. In the category of Best Scenic Design of a Musical (okay, clearly not projection, but they're trying), the projection designers for Sunday in the Park with George, Timothy Bird and The Knifedge Creative Network, were also named along with scenic designer David Farley. That's two major acknowledgments for the creative side of production in one year! What will they do next, create an entire Tony category for projection?!
So, if you're a sound or projection designer, kudos on a year of progress! If you're not, the next time you're on a gig with one, give him or her a pat on the back for doing great work and making these professions worthy of recognition.