Q. What does the Sound Engineer position involve?

A. The Sound Engineer is responsible for the entire system of amplified sound that the Singers travel with. The Sound Engineer directs set-up and soundcheck, coordinates sound with any opening groups that may be performing and is responsible for running the soundboard during the show.

Q. What kind of sound equipment will I work with?

A. The Wisconsin Singers uses the following equipment when on tour.

Mixing Console and Signal Processors

• 1 M7CL Yamaha Digital Console
• 1 Rane AC22 stereo 2-way active crossover
• 1 Ashley GQX-3102 stereo graphic equalizer
• 1 TC-Electronics D-TWO digital delay and effects processor
• 1 Yamaha REV500 digital reverb

Microphones

• 3 Shure U2 handheld transmitters with Beta 87A heads
• 16 Shure U1-UA wireless beltpacks
• 16 Countryman Isomax hypercardiod headset microphones
• 6 Shure UC1 body-pack transmitters
• 7 Shure WM98 microphone capsules and A98KCS horn clamps
• 3 Shure SM81
• 1 Beyerdynamic M201TG
• 1 Sennheiser E604 “Evolution”
• 1 AKG D-112
• 1 Shure SM-57

House system

• 2 TurboSound TQ-440SP loudspeakers
• 2 TurboSound TCS-40 fill speakers
• 2 Sonic 118TL/EV Proline subwoofers
• 1 Crown Macro-Tech MA1200
• 1 Crown Macro-Tech MA2400

Monitor system

• 5 Bag End TA2000-CF monitors
• 2 QSC PLX1602 power amps
• 2 Ramsa WS-A200 loudspeakers
• 1 dbx 1046 4-channel compressor
• 1 Beringher H4-Headphone Amp
• 4 Sony MDR-7506 monitor headphones
• 1 Vic Firth sound deadening headphones

Q. What kind of show is this from a sound engineering point of view?

A. The show is an incredibly fast-paced revue-style show that requires developing a good mixing skill on the part of the sound engineer. Because the venue changes with each show, the sound engineer has to be quick-thinking and flexible.

Q. What are some qualifications/experiences the Singers are looking for from a sound engineer?

A. Singers sound is an exciting opportunity to gain an understanding of the sound engineering industry. Experience with amplified sound is extremely helpful in this position. The interview questions will attempt to find your strengths with any and every kind of stage work. It is always best when the three technicians (LD, SM, and SE) bring a variety of experiences and unique strengths to the team. Note that our past sound engineers have ALL been hired right out of college for work in the profession when they have chosen to go on to this career (see photos). Sound Engineer is an extremely important and demanding position, as the entire show is in the hands of that individual.  We are looking for people that are excited to rise to the challenge and have the temperament and demeanor to handle the demands of the position.

Q. What does the Lighting Designer position involve?

A. Due to the small technical staff, the responsibilities of the technicians both overlap and reinforce one another. At pre-production camp (about two weeks before classes begin,) the Lighting Designer and the Stage Manager work primarily on the props, costuming, and similar aspects of production while the Sound Engineer, dancers, and band learn their aspects of that year s show. When the show goes on the road it is the LD s responsibility to quickly fit the show to the given venue (this includes hanging, focusing and cuing their lighting system, staging and masking, and giving follow spot cues.) There are two times the lighting designer takes a full-scale plot to stage: at a first semester, campus performance in the Wisconsin Union Theater; and for a video produced second semester. At the other performances, the show and the lighting are formatted to the specific venue. This diversity of lighting situations makes the LD s job with the Wisconsin Singers unique and exciting!

Q. What kind of equipment will I be working with?

A. Because the show is in a different place each time, the lighting systems you will be working with vary widely. They include high school auditoriums all over the state as well as professional theaters such as the Weidner Center in Green Bay and the Appleton Performing Arts Center.

Q. What kind of show is this from a lighting design perspective?

A. The best way to describe the lighting atmosphere of a Singers show is an extremely fast-paced, pop concert/show choir/Broadway revue. The possibilities are limitless and exciting because nothing compares with the energy of a Wisconsin Singers performance. You will work with a tight-knit trio of technicians, for a group that encourages lasting friendships amongst the entire troupe. It is an incomparable opportunity to work in diverse venues while perfecting your design technique. Most significantly, you can keep up your interest in theatre by working with a professional road production.

Q. What are some qualifications/experiences the Singers are looking for from a lighting designer?

A. Singers lighting is an exciting opportunity to gain an understanding of the lighting industry that is most valuable if you have seen some of it before; doable if you have high school or college production lighting experience. Having a good grasp of at least one lighting system is important, as is having worked with a range of lighting instruments. Familiarity with props construction and road show production are a plus. The interview questions will attempt to find your strengths with any and every kind of stage work. It is always best when the three technicians (LD, SM, and SE) bring a variety of experiences and unique strengths to the team.

Q. What does the Stage Manager position involve?

A. The Stage Manager is an important part of the technical team and is responsible for a variety of duties. During production camps, the SM will work with the lighting designer to find and build props, repair equipment, and prepare the show for the touring season. On site, the SM will direct stage calls to the performers, and ensure that any technical problems that may arise during the show are addressed quickly.

Q. What kind of equipment will I be working with?

A. As Stage Manager, you will be working with the Singers entire sound system, listed above under the sound engineer section, as well as a full staging set-up and props.

Q. What kind of show is this from a site management perspective?

A. Despite being a highly involved show, the Singers show is designed to be highly flexible in terms of fitting different venues. As such, the Stage Manager must determine how the show will fit in each specific venue prior to arrival. During the show, the fast-paced nature means that the SM must always be on his or her toes, ready to deal with any situation that may arise, and solve problems so that the audience never knows that anything went wrong.

Q. What are some qualifications/experiences the Singers are looking for from a Stage manager?

A. Singers stage management is an exciting opportunity to gain an understanding of site management of a touring group. Stage management experience, either at the high school or college level, is a definite plus. In addition to those skills, the SM will also need good time management and interpersonal skills, essential for the office work involved with the position. The interview questions will attempt to find your strengths with any and every kind of stage work. It is always best when the three technicians (LD, SM, and SE) bring a variety of experiences and unique strengths to the team.