Student crafts post-apocalyptic soundscape for Theatre & Dance's season opener

Charlotte Tuggle | 9/26/2024

Judge presiding over two citizens, a man looking away and a woman crying, in the show Wellesley Girl — "Wellesley Girl" will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5 on the Telfair Peet Theatre Mainstage. Photo credit: Henry Eiland

The world ended years ago after an environmental disaster. Inside a walled city, a small group of citizens must decide what to do with the last source of clean drinking water as a mysterious army closes in around them.

Bitingly sharp and surprisingly relevant, "Wellesley Girl" explores a miniature republic facing environmental fallout. Student Sound Designer Davy Davis used music and sound to figure out what the world will sound like once it’s ended.

"Sound design is interesting because it's an area that sometimes you notice a lot and sometimes you don't," Davis said. "I want to encourage people to notice the sounds that they're hearing and how it makes them feel, because it really will connect people more to things, and I love how connected art can make people feel to each other."

The show, which opens Friday, Sept. 27, involves very few set changes as the story unfolds over three days. Ambient noise such as the echo of movement within a walled city or the chirping of crickets at night establish a sense of place and time for the audience. Percussion is used to create a sense of time ticking away for the characters.

"It is a show about community and existing with other people. You’ll leave with a sense that your voice does matter and the role that you have in your community and your country is very important." ~ Davy Davis
Student Sound Designer

Davis also worked closely with the director and actors to support the story's progression through sound. Davis composed original music to convey the personalities of each character and how their emotions change throughout the play.

"I try to think about their goals and their thriving desire with a theme," Davis said. "For example, Marie is very concerned with the water issue, so I wanted her theme to be very melodic because when you think of running water, it's a sort of music. It's a very continuous sound. So, I used strings for her and lot so metallic bells to sound like the trickling of water."

Davis and Andrew Lynch, an assistant professor and sound designer, had to decide which sounds would still exist after an ecological fallout. Certain animals may not have survived, and certain instruments may no longer exist, so they aligned the soundscape with the setting.

"'Wellesley Girl' presents a rich theatrical world, and sound plays a critical role," Lynch said. "Davy utilizes a collection of original compositions, evocative sounds and strategically implemented microphones to thoughtfully craft the sonic world of the play. Davy's excellent score, which builds on some familiar folk elements to create a fresh sound unique to the world of the play, guides us on the complex emotional journey."

"Wellesley Girl" will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5 on the Telfair Peet Theatre Mainstage. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the box office website.

Due to the incoming hurricane, Auburn Theatre & Dance has postponed the season's opening reception and the opening of "Wellesley Girl" until Friday, Sept. 27. To rebook tickets from Thursday, Sept. 26, please email the box office with your preferred date.

Tags: Theatre and Dance Arts and Culture Students