Masque Sound Wraps Up Another Season at the Muny

When The Muny kicked off its 2012 musical theatre season, Masque Sound, a theatrical sound reinforcement, installation, and design company, was backstage, providing audio equipment and services for the St. Louis, Missouri institution.

Recently concluding its 94th season, The Muny is America's largest and oldest outdoor musical theatre, having been a St. Louis tradition since 1919. Masque Sound has been providing AV equipment and services to The Muny for seven years and has enjoyed a long relationship with the organization.

"The Muny is one of the most challenging and unique projects we work on all year," says Gary Stocker, director of development, Masque Sound. "With a rapid integration schedule, we do not have room for any delays or setbacks. Masque Sound's ability to provide audio equipment, services, and solutions under such a tight timeline is a testament to our expertise."

In addition, because the speakers, consoles, cables, and all usable elements are exposed to St. Louis' unpredictable and often stormy summer weather, it is essential that Masque Sound helps The Muny staff protect the gear. These conditions, combined with The Muny's outdoor exposure to the inclement summer weather, make equipment selection and preparation extremely important.

"We can always rely on Masque Sound to provide us with audio solutions that will continue to enhance the audience experience at The Muny," says David Shapiro, The Muny's resident sound designer. "When Masque recommended we incorporate a Harman Studer digital console into our equipment, it was a game changer. Time is at a premium and the Studer console not only allows sound checks to move a lot quicker, it also proves to be extremely durable. "

The Muny produces all of its musicals in the summer season and operates every year from mid-June to mid-August. During the winter, a full-time staff of less than 20 people prepare for the approaching summer season. During the season itself, the summer staff expands to include more than 700 people in various positions. The outdoor amphitheater seats 11,000 people, with approximately 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"When audio systems are used outdoors, it's not a matter of if there will be a problem, but when," says Jason Krueger, The Muny sound designer. "With our unyielding performance schedule, we cannot afford to be without equipment for an extended period of time. Masque Sound's ability to repair or replace the equipment within a 24-hour time period is a huge benefit to us. It's a first-class operation all the way, with resources and staff expertise that is second to none."

Thoroughly Modern Millie was the first of seven shows this summer at The Muny. Chicago, Aladdin, Dreamgirls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Pirates! (or, Gilbert & Sullivan Plunder'd), and The King and I rounded out the rest of the summer's scheduled plays.