Marisol

Complete score and sound design for the play by Jose Rivera

When reading the script for Rivera's dark play set in pre-apocalypse New York, co-producer Nathan Ruyle and I knew that a special kind of sound would be necessary to bring the chaotic scene to life. Using Steinberg DAW software and a slew of effects plugins and associated hardware we wrote, played, and recorded the guitars, pianos, vocals, electronics, and other instrumentation (including a guest cellist) that created the sonic backdrop for the play, corresponding to its descent to chaos and ultimate final message of hope.

Chua's oscillator was used throughout the entire second act, played through a separate sound system hanging above the audience in the rafters to create a surreal and chaotic soundscape to accent the scripts shift in tone after intermission.

The production was presented by the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville's theatre department under the direction of William Grivna in April 2001. Sound clips and reviews can be found below.

Listen (mp3 format):

Somber - Intermission music, shifting the mood from the first act to the much darker second act
Second Sight - Exit music
Ambient - Backed a scene in the first act
Chua demo - An example of the sound from the chaotic oscillator played from the rafters as an ambient backdrop throughout the second act

Read:

Review from the Riverfront Times, St. Louis' arts and entertainment weekly
Review from KDHX, a St. Louis radio station
Review from Alestle, an SIUE student publication