Celebrating its 75th anniversary with a client roster that includes Jersey Boys, Billy Elliott, Mary Poppins, Memphis and The Book of Mormon, Masque Sound has been a fixture on The Great White Way since 1936 when three stagehands pooled their resources to create a new firm.
An immediate success, Masque has provided audio for the original Broadway productions of Oklahoma, South Pacific, Grease, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, Mama Mia, Lion King and countless others.
Under the guidance of third-generation-owner Geoff Shearing, this leading sound reinforcement, design and installation company has steadily expanded the size and scope of its services.
A 2004 move to a 70,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in East Rutherford, NJ was preceded by the 2002 purchase of Professional Wireless Systems, Florida-based leaders in the development and implementation of wireless technology, PWS counts over a dozen Super Bowl broadcasts to their credit, along with assignments for the NHL, wireless upgrades for NBC TV and many other complex broadcast, entertainment, corporate and government projects.
In 2007, Masque Sound added a highly successful permanent systems installation division to their growing services. Projects include Le Poisson Rouge, the celebrated Greenwich Village club whose eclectic on-stage talent, extraordinary acoustics and state-of-the art sound system, draws music fans from around the world, as well as NYU’s James L. Dolan Recording/Teaching facility.
Masque Sound has also installed the complex systems for NY’s new DiMenna Center for Classical Music, the sound system renovation for the classic New Victory Theater on West 42nd St., and the critical acoustic sound system upgrade for NY’s historic St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Ave.
In celebration of the Diamond anniversary, Masque general manager Stephanie Hansen reached out to noted graphic designer Milton Glaser for an update to the firm’s graphic image. “I’ve been a fan of Milton’s for a long time, and recently saw a documentary on his work,” Hansen says. “We were thrilled when he agreed to marry his talents with our existing brand.”
“A 75th anniversary is a significant milestone,” notes company principal Geoff Shearing. “We’re grateful to our many long-term clients, and to a dedicated in-house team, some of whom have been with us over 20 years. My father remains active, and enthusiastically monitors our on-going success from his New Hampshire home, just as my grandfather took great pride in dad’s nurturing of our legacy.
“I grew up watching them make decisions about what new technology to invest in, and how to grow the business in the most logical way,” Shearing adds. “Their most important lesson was that customer service is the basis for all success. Our concerns for solving client technical challenges in the most creative, efficient and cost-effective way has continued to be a key element in our on-going success.
“We are privileged to work on blue ribbon projects that run the gamut from hit Broadway shows to network TV and world-class corporate events,” Shearing concludes. “I look forward to celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2036.”