ABSTRACT
A musical by its very nature is much more about the system than anything else, and there is already a composer for the show, so the conceptual needs for the show are different than for a straight play. It is also important to understand the positions, and the expectations of each position, so that lines can be established that are not crossed. The thing to understand is that there are two major categories for sound design, and each is ultimately responsible for the aural environment of the show. The first is a musical theater sound designer and the second is a straight play sound designer. Inside of each of the styles of design, it can further break down the role of a sound designer to what has traditionally been called technical sound design and conceptual sound design. An associate should fully understand the designer's aesthetic and system preferences and be able to replicate what the designer likes.
