Sound Designer Apprenticeship

Essential Position Functions 

• Be the Sound Designer or assist the guest Sound Designer for all Mainstage and Second Stage productions. 
• The Sound Design Apprentice will create or assist the guest Sound Designer in creating the  sound/speaker plot, soundscape and or sound playback  

Designing and/or Assist Designing 

• Create soundtracks to include all playback sounds and music
  Choose sources, edit and remix music; or record live in the theatre 
• Supply sample of sounds/effects as requested for approval by the Director during the rehearsal process. Build bank of sounds for first day of rehearsal for rehearsal use 
• Supply specifications as needed for the placement of any and all speakers 
• Build soundtrack to be operated with QLab software 

Apprentice 

• Design ambient lobby music 
• Work closely with the Lead Electrician  
• Attend rehearsals, as determined by Production Manager, and all tech rehearsals and previews  ∙ Run shows and/or midi and share runshow responsibility with Lead Electrician 
• Record preshow announcement 
• Record audio for marketing usage such as radio spots and commercials 
• Support Second Stage performances  
• Support rentals when needed 
• Stay in budget 
• Keeping accurate and thorough production paperwork 
• Working and communicating effectively with other departments within the theatre
  

Skill Requirements: 

• Be in college, recently graduated college or have experience designing sound for theatre applications ∙ Be a contributing member of a very collaborative team 
• Be a highly responsible and self-motivated team member 
• Ability to multitask 
• General knowledge of backstage operations, safety, and conventional theatre practices ∙ Excellent verbal communication skills 
• Excellent organizational skills 
• Computer literate, with a good working understanding of QLab and Premier Pro software ∙ Flexibility, positive attitude, and a willingness to commit to hard work, and a demanding schedule
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high energy artistic environment 
• Ability to work collaboratively with different personality types 
• Capable of working independently  

Experiential Gains: 

In addition to the refining of skills specific to sound design, the apprentice can expect to leave the Theatre with  the following, upon successful completion of service: 

• Experience working in a professional regional theatre. 
• Experience working in a non-profit arts organization. 
• Direct involvement in 6 to 12 professional productions including mainstage and second-stage productions and special events. 
• Practical application of academic theory, and the ability to identify, work through and overcome failures in a collaborative, artistic environment. 
• Problem solving, project management, and time management skills needed to successfully execute professional productions with compressed, and often overlapping, schedules. 
• Experience with production budget creation, maintenance, and reporting. 
• Exposure to and/or experience in other areas of production, and the ability to communicate and work with the needs of artists in other areas of production. 
• The ability to communicate and work with administrative departments in a professional theatre. 
• Knowledge of the rules and practices of the Actor’s Equity Association. 
• Professional courtesy and demeanor. 
• Presentation skills, portfolio materials, and the ability to articulate your creative process to artists in other areas as well as those who are not theatre professionals. 
• Job and/or graduate school recommendations. 

Candidates from underrepresented groups and those who share these values and have demonstrable  experience advocating for anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply. The Hippodrome is Gainesville’s cultural centerpiece for over 52 years, offering live theatre, films, gallery  exhibits, classes, and special events over 340 days a year. 

The mission of the Hippodrome is to provide a first-class regional theatre and an artistic space committed to  excellence in North Florida; to collaborate with extraordinary artists in order to provide education programs,  events, and cinematic programming that reflect and elevate the diverse cultures and perspectives of our region;  and to create and maintain ongoing engagement with our community.

The Hippodrome creates exceptional professional theater that Engages, Challenges and Inspires our  community: 

Engage: 

• We cultivate imagination and potential. 
• We provide a safe and supportive artistic home. 
• We collaborate with diverse organizations, sponsors, and individuals.

Challenge: 

• We invite our community to consider new perspectives. 
• We create works that explore our shared and diverse humanity. 
• We provide opportunities for personal and professional growth through communal experiences.

Inspire: 

• Experiences that ignite the human spirit. 
• We spark imagination through the universal language of storytelling. 
• We illuminate both the shared struggles and exquisite beauty of human relationship. 

The Hippodrome’s Health and Safety procedures are used to provide a safe workplace for all. We enable a  flexible approach depending on the community’s transmission rate with testing and daily cleaning and sanitizing  and air exchange rates that meet and exceed recommended levels.  

All applications will be reviewed, and some will be selected to submit additional information. Leading candidates  will be interviewed.