Audiences at Abrams’ theater now experience a better quality of sound at the community theater’s shows. Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. installed a state-of-the art sound system at the Nancy Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple St., Abrams. The new sound system improves the ability for the cast, crew, and audience, including older adults and individuals with hearing impairments, to fully enjoy a performance.
This fall, Northern Sound and Video installed the $20,000 sound system. The state-of-the-art sound system includes a digital sound board, mixers, monitors, speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, and a variety of microphones. The system also includes a hearing assisted sound loop system to amplify the sound for individuals wearing hearing aids. The choral microphones, headset (hands-free) microphones and floor microphones are the same quality as the ones used for Broadway shows.
All of this was made possible because of volunteer labor and grants from the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation.
“It’s a very nice system. We’re happy to put it in,” said Brad La Jeunesse, Northern Sound and Video lead installer. “The whole theater is surrounded by a better quality of sound. Wherever you’re sitting – in the front row or all the way in the back – you will be able to hear just as well.”
Prior to Northern Sound and Video’s installation, volunteers contributed approximately $3,000 worth of labor to replace and connect wires, groove the hardwood floor, and complete other prep work.
“This was a major savings, and we can’t thank our volunteers enough for their hard work,” said Bill Koehne, ASPI board president. “This is a community theater, so it belongs to everyone. That’s why it’s great to see volunteers helping out and donations coming in.”
Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. is a nonprofit organization that presents three shows a year and hosts numerous events at the Nancy Byng Community Theater. Formerly St. Louis Catholic Church, the 96-year-old church has been fully renovated.
ASPI Tech Supervisor David Jolly said the new sound system exceeded his expectations.
“Everyone will be able to hear and enjoy events here so much more,” Jolly said.
With the digital sound board, it’s easy to integrate different sources of sound into the system for sound effects and music. Plus, the sound engineer can balance the volume of music and voices, making it easier for the audience to distinguish between the two.
Not only does the new sound system benefit the cast and the audience, it also benefits anyone in the community interested in technical aspects of theater performances.
“We want to encourage volunteers to learn to operate our sound system. This is a professional system, and volunteers can learn to operate it in a low-stress environment,” Jolly said.
“A successful theatrical performance involves a lot of different elements, and a sound system is a key ingredient,” Koehne said. “The new sound system allows the audience to sit back, relax, and enjoy the performance.”
