Hofstra Drama 20 – Sound for the Theatre

Location: My dorm

Time: 11:39

Sounds: Mac Ayres’s new song playing in the background, writing notes with a sharpie, distance wind from the window being open

1- 4/10/24 – 12:35 – Tables outside of Bits ‘n’ Bytes

2- People talking on the other side of the quad, cars driving down the turnpike, shuffled steps on the concrete.
3- Birds chirping, someone’s heels clacking on the cement as they walk, leaves rustling in the wind, someone’s keys jangling as they walk.
4- My friend typing at the computer next to me, an airplane flying overhead, someone laughing at the table next to me, the ice in my drink shifting as I pick it up and take a sip, the sound of someone’s skateboard as they skate by my table.
5- Describe the general sound level and amount of sound activity – Sound level: low and quiet; Sound activity: relatively high, there are a lot of different noises and sounds outside.
6- Peaceful.
7- The birds, the ambience voices throughout the quad, and the steps and general movement of the people passing by.

Location: Bits Quad

The sounds heard in this clip consists of rain patter, rain hitting my umbrella, wind, my rain jacket brushing against itself as I walk, and a very faint beeping in the distance at the end.

1. 03/26/2024 – 11:04pm – My House.
2. Sounds farthest away from me: scattered cars driving by and an airplane flying by.
3. Sounds at medium range: my housemates talking downstairs, the wind outside of my window, a dog barking next door, my housemate’s car pulling in the driveway, and the front door opening and a short greeting.
4. Sounds closest to me: my heater blowing, my fridge buzzing, and my stomach growling.
5. The general sound level is quiet. The amount of sound activity is a constant buzzing/hum, but other than that it is low.
6. Description word: soft.
7. Essential sounds: wind/cars, quiet chatter and barking, and buzzing/humming.

1. 03/05/2024 – 9:09pm – Calkins Dance Studio.
2. Sounds farthest away from me: the wind outside of an open window, the buzz of the overhead lighting, the occasional sink/toilet outside of the room.
3. Sounds at medium range: the door occasionally opening and closing, quiet side conversations, the occasional bang of a foot or a phone, people sniffling/moving around.
4. Sounds closest to me: contemporary music playing, my fingers tapping on my phone, the occasional buzz of my phone, the choreographers teaching/counting to the music.
5. The general sound level is a little above average at most times, but back to average/quiet when the music/dancing is paused. The amount of sound activity is mostly sporadic, but constant and usually unchanging when the music/dancing is happening.
6. Description word: active.
7. Essential sounds: movement, counting, and contemporary music.

February 8, 2024. 1:20. My Backyard.
The sounds that are furthest away from me: Truck beeping, distant cars, a plane.
The sounds that are a medium distance from me: Neighbors footsteps, squirrels shuffling in the trees, occasional car on my street.
The sounds that are closest to me: Birds, music coming from my computer (Sugar Magnolia- Grateful Dead).
The sound level of the space: Low. A lot of different quiet sounds.
One word description: Peaceful
Three sounds that are most important to the environment: Birds chirping, wind in the trees, hum of planes from nearby airport.

Location: outside the window in my dorm

Sounds: Wind, a plane, beads clacking, shuffling, something hitting my AC unit, the cord on the blinds hitting the wall

Location: Outside Axinn Library 

Sounds heard: People talking quietly, laughing, footsteps on concrete, crows cawing, various types of birds chirping and singing, wind, cars driving by on Hempstead Turnpike.

Date: 4/11 at 4:00 pm

Location: a bench on the path between Breslin and LHComm

Far Sounds: wind blowing through the trees, cars on the Hempstead Turnpike, distant chatter of students.

Medium Sounds: doors opening and closing, cars driving by in the parking lot, keychain clinking, fabric rustling.

Close Sounds: footsteps of someone walking by, breathing in and out, leaves rustling in the tree behind me.

Sound Description/Level: There are not very many loud or startling sounds; it is a very calm and soothing atmosphere in this sort of alleyway between buildings. The breeze is the only constant sound, and even that is minimalistic and not very overwhelming. It’s a nice escape from the loud hustle and bustle of campus.

One Word: peaceful

Most Important Sounds: wind in the trees, cars on the turnpike, footsteps walking by.

Location: my backyard

Sounds Heard: various bird calls, wind in the trees, rain, water hitting metal gutter, cars driving by, wind blowing into microphone.