Tony Committee Eliminates Sound Design Category; Petition Formed to Protest

In a turn of events that strikes a sour note for Broadway design professionals, the committee that oversees the Tony Awards has voted to eliminate the categories for sound design.

The news was buried at the bottom of a New York Times Arts Beat story about various Tony rulings, having to do with the disposition of show-related swag to voters, among other things. No reason was given for the decision to eliminate the categories.

The decision, coming at a time when good sound design has become ever more crucial to the success of a production, appears highly unusual, effectively barring a key member of a show's creative team from being recognized for his or her work. According to the Times, "A special Tony may be bestowed in the future when a production has extraordinary sound design, according to a statement released by the committee." No indication was given as to what would constitute extraordinary sound design, or why this particular discipline should be treated differently from the others.

The decision also comes at a time when other awards-giving bodies are expanding their focus on design. For example, the Drama Desk, which honors Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off Off Broadway, recently added a projection design category to its awards.

This season's Tony winners for sound design were Steve Canyon Kennedy, for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, and Brian Ronan, for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

A petition is being circulated to protest the decision. To access it, click on the link below.