NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance Department’s cutting edge sound system has been featured in three national magazines.

     NSU is featured in the Stage Directions Magazine, AVTechnology and System’s Contractors for its system which is used for theatre productions, concerts and a variety of student events.

     The system was funded with a grant of $182,000 from the Louisiana Board of Regents through the Louisiana Educational Quality Support Fund.

     “We wanted to put together a system that would handle both the production aspect and the educational component,” said Shawn Parr, a former sound designer for the Theatre and Dance Department who put together the proposal and now works in the Office of Academic Services. “We stage a variety of productions with varying sound needs, and we also have to prepare students for technical careers. This system is flexible, yet easy for our students to use.”

     One component of the system is a digital snake system, which Parr calls “a newer more efficient way to route audio around a facility.” NSU was among the first in the world to use the new Aviom Pro64 digital snake system in an actual production.

  

     “The new system makes everything easier,” said theatre major Nicolas Frederick of New Orleans. “It is flexible and can do whatever we want it to. The digital snake allows us to use one little cable instead of big bundles. Using this has given me a lot of experience I can take with me.”