As previously reported, the Tony Awards Administration Committee determined that Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical Categories would be eliminated from the established list of competitive categories, beginning with the 2014-2015 season. The Tony Administration Committee may bestow a Special Tony Award to a production when it determines that extraordinary sound design has been achieved.
In response to the decision, and as previously reported, sound designer John Gromada, who was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play for 2013's revival of The Trip to Bountiful, has started an online petition to reverse the Committee's ruling.
Gromada's petition, posted on thepetitionsite.com, reads as follows:
Sound Design is a theatrical design art that is a critical part of the collaborative art of theatre. The American Theatre Wing should continue to honor excellence in sound design as it does for scenery, costume and lighting design, and as it has done since 2008. Sound designers are an important part of the theatrical community whose vital contributions cannot be ignored or dismissed. Reverse this decision now!
The petition, which has currently garnered over 26,913 signatures, can be viewed here. The number is quickly growing- especially with the help of Broadway stars who have taken to twitter in support of sound designers. Many have begun tweeted #tonycanyouhearme to help spread the word. BroadwayWorld has rounded up the pictures posted by the Broadway stars. Check below to see Sutton Foster, Joshua Henry, Colin Donnell, and more!
Josh Davis from BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
@joshdavisss: "Congrats to @brianronan for winning the Tony for Sound Design #stars4sound #tonycanyouhearme"
Bryce Pinkham from A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
@PinkhamBryce: "#tonycanyouhearme"
Andy Lang from PIPPIN
@SoundGuyAndy: "Terrence Mann and Charlotte D'Amboise of Pippin #tonycanyouhearme #stars4sound #stageshotsunday"
Caroline Bowman from the National Tour of EVITA
@transientMax : "#stars4sound #tonycanyouhearme #Evita1stNational Thank you, @CarolineVBowman of @EvitaTour. #stageshotsunday"
Sutton Foster from VIOLET
@sfosternyc: "#tonycanyouhearme"
Joshua Henry from VIOLET
@joshuahenry20: "#tonycanyouhearme"
Joshua Henry, Sutton Foster, and Colin Donnell from VIOLET
@joshuahenry20: "#tonycanyouhearme #violet"
Broadway Sound Designer Nathan Meredith
@NathanMeredith: "I guess it doesn't matter if I keep it this way. #stageshotsunday #tonycanyouhearme"
Colin Donnell from VIOLET
@colindonnell: "C'mon... #tonycanyouhearme"
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