Community News

Playhouse touts new sound system for superior theater experience

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 10, 2020

The Flat Rock Playhouse is rolling out a new sound system for the 2020 season that audio engineers say will provide a superior sound experience for the audience.

Building on new seating, floor lighting, new carpet and a state-of-the-art hearing loop installed a year ago, the Playhouse this year debuts the new industry-standard Yamaha soundboard.

“Overall, this purchase will create more time, capability and security for the creative team as well as allow the sound team more time and resources to design, further elevating our storytelling abilities,” said David Gerena, the Playhouse's head of audio.

The new soundboard is part of the theater's response to the audience “wish list” created from a 2018 patron survey.

“With a reputation for providing Broadway-quality productions in Western North Carolina, it is vital that we provide the same, top-of-the-line quality both on and off the stage, and to every seat in the house,” said Artistic Associate, Matthew Glover.

The addition of this new technology completes The Clarity Project, the theater's three-pronged initiative to improve production excellence. The soundboard was made possible with a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Previous elements of the project were made possible by grants from the Van Every Foundation, the Community Foundation of Henderson County and the Cannon Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, as well as corporate partner, Asheville Head, Neck, and Ear and by individual donations.

"The Music of Queen" opens the season Feb. 13-23. Tickets are on sale starting Jan. 13 at the box office at 828.693.0731 or online at https://flatrockplayhouse.org/. Season tickets are also on sale until April 2020.