Open Forum

Both floor and hanging mics are options for this, trying to place the mics near the majority of the action. 

It may be easier, however, to try and quiet the sound of the piano. If the piano is offstage, you could mic that and put it through the speakers at a low level that won't interfere with the voices of the actors. It could also then be louder at certain points, if needed. 

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Mike Ritchey
Technical Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2016 10:46
From: Kathy Dorgan
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Our fall production of Letters to Sala will feature piano accompaniment composed and performed live by a student pianist.  We want to be sure that the actors are heard over the music, but would like to avoid body/lapel mics if at all possible.  Any ideas out there for using other types of mics -- floor, hanging, something else?  

Kathy Dorgan

OHS Theatre Director

English Department

Kathy, 

I am going through this same process with my upcoming production of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. We aren't even miking the piano, and we are using floor (boundary) mics at the front of the stage, as well as hanging mics.  

We are putting lavs on the actors who sing in small groups or have solos, but those will only be hot when they are actually singing.

I am a big proponent of actors working on projection!

Ray

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Raymond Palasz
Auditorium Director/Director of Theatre
Munster High School
Schererville IN

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2016 11:21
From: Mike Ritchey
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Both floor and hanging mics are options for this, trying to place the mics near the majority of the action. 

It may be easier, however, to try and quiet the sound of the piano. If the piano is offstage, you could mic that and put it through the speakers at a low level that won't interfere with the voices of the actors. It could also then be louder at certain points, if needed. 

------------------------------
Mike Ritchey
Technical Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2016 10:46
From: Kathy Dorgan
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Our fall production of Letters to Sala will feature piano accompaniment composed and performed live by a student pianist.  We want to be sure that the actors are heard over the music, but would like to avoid body/lapel mics if at all possible.  Any ideas out there for using other types of mics -- floor, hanging, something else?  

Kathy Dorgan

OHS Theatre Director

English Department

Would it be effective to have your pianist use a digital piano? That way you have complete control over the piano's volume. It may be easier than trying to figure out how to mic the cast.

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Patrick McGuire
Drama Director
Round Lake High School
Round Lake, IL

Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2016 09:28
From: Raymond Palasz
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Kathy, 

I am going through this same process with my upcoming production of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. We aren't even miking the piano, and we are using floor (boundary) mics at the front of the stage, as well as hanging mics.  

We are putting lavs on the actors who sing in small groups or have solos, but those will only be hot when they are actually singing.

I am a big proponent of actors working on projection!

Ray

------------------------------
Raymond Palasz
Auditorium Director/Director of Theatre
Munster High School
Schererville IN

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2016 11:21
From: Mike Ritchey
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Both floor and hanging mics are options for this, trying to place the mics near the majority of the action. 

It may be easier, however, to try and quiet the sound of the piano. If the piano is offstage, you could mic that and put it through the speakers at a low level that won't interfere with the voices of the actors. It could also then be louder at certain points, if needed. 

------------------------------
Mike Ritchey
Technical Director
Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Rancho Santa Margarita CA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2016 10:46
From: Kathy Dorgan
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Our fall production of Letters to Sala will feature piano accompaniment composed and performed live by a student pianist.  We want to be sure that the actors are heard over the music, but would like to avoid body/lapel mics if at all possible.  Any ideas out there for using other types of mics -- floor, hanging, something else?  

Kathy Dorgan

OHS Theatre Director

English Department

The suggestions for actor projection, moving the piano offstage, and using an electronic piano are all good.  Another way to quiet down a piano (Baby Grand or Upright) is to drape a few layers of packing blankets over it to absorb some of the direct sound.  This way the pianist can still be visible to the audience (assuming that is desirable).  If the packing blankets are too industrial looking, then cover them with a (lacy?) table cloth or decorated scrim to improve the appearance.

------------------------------
Erich Friend
Theatre Consultant
Teqniqal Systems

Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2016 10:46
From: Kathy Dorgan
Subject: Sound enhancement for non-musical shows

Our fall production of Letters to Sala will feature piano accompaniment composed and performed live by a student pianist.  We want to be sure that the actors are heard over the music, but would like to avoid body/lapel mics if at all possible.  Any ideas out there for using other types of mics -- floor, hanging, something else?  

Kathy Dorgan

OHS Theatre Director

English Department