As the curtain rises on the 2012 season of Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park, Masque Sound is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing audio equipment and services to the Delacorte theater for one of New York City’s most beloved traditions.
Shakespeare in the Park moved to its permanent home at the Delacorte Theater in 1962 and since then, New York natives and visitors alike have enjoyed free Shakespeare performances each summer season.
The majestic, open-air theater has a seating capacity of 1,800, and each season more than 100,000 people attend performances produced by The Public Theater.
“Masque Sound has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with The Public and Delacorte theaters and their summer productions of Shakespeare in the Park,” says Dennis Short, Masque Sound. “Being able to celebrate 50 years as the theater’s audio equipment provider is quite an accomplishment and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the theatrical community.
“The Delacorte is in such a magnificent setting, and being able to provide theatergoers with an audio experience to match their visual experience is something we take great pride in doing.”
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Delacorte Theater officially opened in Central Park on June 18, 1962 with The Merchant of Venice. Since then, more than 100 productions have been presented for free at the venue—come sun or rain shower.
“Some years have been drier than others, but throughout our partnership, Masque and Shakespeare in the Park have developed methods for protecting the equipment from water damage and mold,” says Short. “We’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, but manufacturers such as Meyer have developed water resistant loudspeakers and rain hoods to protect the speakers from water getting inside.
“It’s been a work in progress but every year it gets better.”
Masque Sound is very pleased that Shakespeare in the Park has provided the company with the opportunity to support their productions over a 50 year span, especially as several of the productions have moved on to Broadway following their run at the Delacorte.
“It’s exciting for us to be involved with these productions at their inception and watch as they grow in popularity to a point where they move on to The Great White Way,” Short concludes. “There’s something to be said about supporting projects and the organizations that nurture young talent, shows and sound designers at the early stages of their career.
“This has been the trusted blueprint for the development of long term working relationships in our industry.”
