Drama Blog - Max Pappenheim Returns to Dolphin

Max Pappenheim, Best Sound Designer (Offies 2022), Returns to Dolphin

So, what does a sound designer do in the theatre?  Ex Dolphin student, Max popped back to introduce the Tempest Company to his work. 

Just as Set, Costume, Lighting and Video Designers look after what the audience sees, I take responsibility for everything that an audience hears. Most of my work is in live performance, where the challenges can be immense, but the creative rewards match up.

Max explained to the Company that with every project, he starts with a blank canvas and finds the sound language through discussions and experiments with the writer, director, actors, indeed the whole team of collaborators. 

Then with a variety of traditional instruments and found objects, such as shells, water and newspapers, we explored possible soundscapes on Shakespeare’s island in The Tempest.  It is extraordinary what sounds you can create simply using a newspaper!