On Wednesday the 4th January, The Association of Sound Designers is holding its Annual General Meeting at 1pm on Zoom. We will be holding elections to recruit two new members to our board, expanding the board by 2. 

We have Six candidates for the election, and you can hear more about each of them below!

Mark Cunningham

I am a freelance PSE with significant experience in sound for mid to large scale theatre touring and new writing.

I previously worked as a sound specialist at the Central School of Speech and Drama, in technical and production support. There I taught and supported students, maintained the school's sound systems, developed relationships with leading manufacturers, and advised on technical developments. I also developed my coding and electronics knowledge and gained a PGCert in teaching and learning in higher education

I am interested in online teaching mediums and have participated in ASD educator's group meetings. 

I have also toured Europe and the World for mid to large scale theatre and new writing productions, lived in Australia working in fringe theatre and now am based in Yorkshire.

My diverse experience would make me a valuable asset to the ASD board and I hope to contribute to the excellent work that ASD does.

Keegan Curran

I have been a sound engineer, production manager and sound designer for theatre shows, corporate conferences and rock and roll shows for the last 10 years and am currently regularly teaching at Drama Schools as well as designing, production managing and PSE'ing in London and regionally.

Growing up in a working class family in the North West of England and engaging with youth work and outreach in my local area in the arts and technical theatre training, it has been a passion of mine to ensure equal opportunities for all within our industry, providing training, opportunities and support to all - regardless of background, socio-economic upbringing, racial background or sexuality.

I believe being a part of the board for the ASD, I can help facilitate this and support in whatever way I can.

I believe my experience as an engineer, production manager and sound designer gives me a breadth of experience which allows me to relate with most positions within the sound department of theatres, rock and roll shows or corporate conferences.

Joseff Harris

I want to put an emphasis on the importance of supporting emerging sound designers through regional theatre. I believe it should be a priority that regional theatres open up associate or assistant roles on their own productions. 

Having come through the regional theatre system, only realising that there weren’t many opportunities there, I have had to take a lot of work in London with me only be asked back once I had reached a certain level.

We see plenty of assistant director roles, but why not prioritise other creative roles too? Learning to transition your work from smaller studio productions to larger scale work can feel like a daunting step, and to have the support of being in an assistant role can be so integral to making this jump successful.

Regional theatres are missing out on wonderful, diverse talent because they simply don’t have the infrastructure to support them, and as a result so many sound designers have to leave local theatres to pursue a career in the industry. I would fight to change this.

I am the Sound Lecturer on the BA Production Technology Management course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

In 2004 I graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in Sound Design for Theatre. From an educational context, I have a PGCE in middle years, a PGCert in Higher Arts Education and I am currently studying for a Masters in Education with a focus on teaching creativity.
 
Previous sound work includes Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium and National Tour), Chichester Festival Theatre (Summer Season), Nicholas Nickleby (National Tour), Mamma Mia (International Tour), Love Never Dies (London), Shrek the Musical (London), Matilda the Musical (London), Senior Sound Technician at the Royal Opera House Muscat (Oman) and Counting and Cracking (Belvoir St Theatre- UK tour). 
  
I contributed a chapter to the book ‘Audio Education: Theory, Culture and Practice’, edited by Daniel Walzer and Mariana Lopez.  

Currently living and working in Scotland, I would be able to bring more events, workshops and socials to the North of the country.

Kieran Lucas

I’m a sound designer, sound artist and educator working primarily in new-writing and devised work. 

After benefiting hugely from membership of the ASD I’d love the opportunity to give back to this community and feel I could have valuable input into the direction of the association and help continue the invaluable support it offers its members.

I’d like to focus on ensuring that the sound industry is providing sustainable career routes for those graduating and those entering the murky waters of ‘mid-career’.

As a Northern based sound professional I’d also like to continue the work of the ASD in helping to create a strong community outside of London and ensure there are opportunities across all parts of the UK.

In addition to my experience in sound design I also work as an educator providing teaching and supervision at a number or UK Drama Schools. I would love to use this experience to ensure the ASD is supporting students and graduates as well as ensuring there are accessible avenues for those entering the industry from non-traditional routes.

It would be an honour to serve on the board of the ASD.

Ella Wahlström

I’m a London based sound designer and a mother of two.

I’ve been a member of the ASD for 10 years and I’d love to do my part in serving our wonderful community as a board member.

Our industry is at a turning point and we have an opportunity to make the changes needed to improve it. I may not have answers to all the problems, but I bring to the table the point of view of a parent and a full time designer.