Network
September 2026 - Regional Premier
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips
Scenic Design by Jon Savage
Costume Design by Erin Reed Carter
Lighting Design by Baxter Carlisle Chambers
Media Design by Rob Stimmel
“Zack Bennett’s sound design and Robert Carlton Stimmel’s media design bring the world of television news to life, incorporating real news clips from the 1970s.” -Behind the Curtain Cincinnati
“Nice work for the sound team (Zack Bennett) adding an extra click before the slides are projected, ensuring authenticity of the era. Also, we need a playlist for the nostalgic yet appropriately chosen music selections.” -League of Cincinnati Theatres
“Scenery and media are complemented by the work of lighting designer Baxter Chambers and sound designer Zack Bennett” -League of Cincinnati Theatres
The complete works of jane austen
July 2026
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company & Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Directed by Jenny Lavery
Scenic Design by Gabby Trice
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by S. Elliot
“Zack Bennett’s sound design seamlessly transport audiences through the many worlds of Austen’s novels” -Behind The Curtain Cincy
Pericles
April 2026
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips
Original Music by Cary Davenport
Scenic Design by Andrew Hungerford
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by SK Watson
Projections Design by Rob Stimmel
“Sound Design by Zack Bennett is appropriately nostalgic, yet original.” -League of Cincinnati Theatres
Girl from the north country
February 2026
Actor’s Express
Directed by Freddie Ashley
Music Direction by Ali Reinhart
Scenic Design by Seamus Borne
Costume Design by Jennifer Schottstaedt
Lighting Design by Joseph P. Monaghan III
“Meanwhile, the design team of Seamus Bourne (scenic), Jennifer Schottstaedt (costumes), Joseph P. Monaghan III (lighting) and Zach Bennett (sound) work in tandem to transport the viewer back to 1930s Minnesota.” -Arts ATL
Sister Act
November 2025
Gainesville Theatre Alliance
Directed by Kari Twyman
Music Direction by Dale Grogan
Scenic Design by Gavin E. Mosier & Alexander Whittenberg
Costume Design by Pamela Workman
Lighting Design by Nathan Avakian
Bright Star
October 2025
University of Wyoming
Directed by Matthew Greenberg
Scenic Design by Jon Savage
Choreography by Cat Kamrath
Music Director: Zachary McCulley
Costume Design by Erin Reed Carter
Lighting Design by Jason Banks
An Enemy of the People
Regional Premiere
September 2025
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips
Scenic Design by Jon Savage
Costume Design by Erin Reed Carter
Lighting Design by Baxter Chambers
Mrs. Dalloway: A new Musical
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Lindsey Augusta Mercer. Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Novel.
May 2025 - World Premier
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Sara Clark
Scenic Design by Sam Reno
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by Andrew Hungerford
Projections Design by Rob Stimmel
Young Frankenstein
April 2025
Gainesville Theatre Alliance
Directed by Zechariah Pierce
Scenic Design by Dennis Maulden
Costume Design by Pam Workman
Lighting Design by Matt Sand
Macbeth
February 2025
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Christopher V. Edwards
Scenic Design by Jon Savage
Costume Design by Nia Safarr Banks
Lighting Design by Watson
Projection Design: Robert Carlton Stimmel
Associate: Rainy Edwards
“Set during the early days of the Cold War, the production explores mind control and psychological manipulation. It's supported by a steadily sounded score of distorted 1950s pop numbers, especially Skeeter Davis's "The End of the World" (sound design by Zack Bennett).” -Talkin’ Broadway
“Particular kudos to Sound Designer Zach Bennett whose vision solidifies the unearthly vibe” -League of Cincinnati Theatres
“Lighting Designer Watson and Sound Designer Zack Bennett help further establish the sinister feelings associated with the Scottish play.” -Behind the Curtain Cincy
Photography: Mikki Schaffner
Macbeth
February 2025
Gainesville Theatre Alliance
Directed by Sheri Wilson
Scenic Design by Amy Jackson
Costume Design by Erin Reed Carter
Lighting Design by Baxter Chambers
Projection Design by Zack Bennett
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
October 2024
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company & Merrimack Repertory Theatre
Directed by Brian Issac Phillips
Scenic Design by Sam Reno
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by Jeff Adelburg
Projection Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel
”…Zack Bennett’s intrusively delicious soundtrack. The latter can be pulsating as well as subtle: thunder claps go BAR-ROOM!, a baby whimpers quietly. Most appealing are the hilariously grotesque sound effects that accompany Frankenstein as he harvests organs from a fresh corpse." -the arts fuseLighting (Jeff Adelberg) and Sound (Zack Bennett) pull out the stops with lightness, darkness, mist, haunting echoes and thunderous claps. … (BTW, you will appreciate the sounds of the creaking ship, too). -League of Cincinnati Theatres
“In addition to the visual aesthetics, Sound Design by Zack Bennett is the cherry on the proverbial chilling sundae.” - League of Cincinnati Theatres
“As mentioned, the thrust stage invigorates the story and envelopes the audience, aided by Zack Bennett's thrilling sound design. The spatial audio design is immersive, and the musical underscoring provides tension and levity when needed.” - Noah Sees Theatre
Photography: Mikki Schaffner
National order of the arrow convention 2024
July 2024
Boy Scouts of America - University of Colorado Event Center
Directed by David Heimann, Andy Spicknall
Produced by OA Shows, Max Sasseen
This week-long conference brought Scouts and Scouters together on the University of Colorado, Boulder campus. Over the course of five days, four arena shows are created: an opening ceremony; awards ceremony with live entertainment; a retrospective on the organizations achievements, missteps, and mission moving forward; and concludes with an original play that supports the mission of the Order of the Arrow. The sound designer is responsible for coordinating all necessary PA, communications, and all other sound equipment to convert a basketball arena into a theatre for 6,500. Additionally, audio to support video packages, stingers, voice-over, and all other audio content to support the production is created by the Sound Designer.
The 25th Annual Putnam County SPelling Bee
April 2024
Gainesville Theatre Alliance
Directed by Kari Twyman
Scenic Design by Amy Jackson
Costume Design by Lucius Gardner
Lighting Design by Christian DeAngelis
Julius Caesar
March 2024
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Brian Issac Phillips
Scenic Design by Charlie Calvert
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by Watson
Projection Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel
Properties Design by Kara Eble Trusty
“The initial rave-like atmosphere, created with the help of Lighting Designer Watson and Sound Designer Zack Bennett, lets the audience know immediately that this is no ordinary foray into Will’s classic text. ” -League of Cincinnati Theatres
“Julius Caesar designers seamlessly merge the opulence of ancient Rome with the gritty realism of the Mafia underworld.” -Behind the Curtain Cincinnati
“Such scenes are underscored by bombastic sound (designed by Zack Bennett) and flashing video to great, chaotic effect.” -Talkin Broadway
Broadway World Cincinnati Nominee for Best Sound Design of a Play or Musical
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
November 2023
Gainesville Theatre Alliance
Directed by Ste Clough
Scenic Design by Dennis C. Maulden
Costume Design by Pamela Workman
Lighting Design by Terry Becker
Wrecking Ball
October 2023
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Scenic Design by Sarah Lambert
Costume Design by Daryl Harris
Lighting Design by Jessica Drayton
Projection Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel
Properties Design by Kara Eble Trusty
“Zack Bennett’s sound design accentuates the story…” - The Sappy Critic
“…Lighting, Projections, and Sound Designers, respectively, have woven the atmospheric details and soundscape to amplify the dynamic space.” - Behind the Curtain Cincinnati
Hedwig and the angry inch
July 2023
Actor’s Express
Directed by Quinn Xavier Hernandez
Scenic Design by Stephanie Busing
Costume Design by April Carswel
Lighting Design by Maranda DeBusk
“Also a special shout out to sound designer Zach Bennett for [designing] a flawless show.” -Speakeysie
As You Like It
April 2023
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Brant Russell
Scenic Design by Samantha Reno
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by Jessica Drayton
Projection Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel
Properties Design by Kara Eble Trusty
A 90’s alt-rock musical may sound like an odd fit for Shakespeare, but this production with an original score lead to a beautiful marriage. 37 cast members, 28 songs, and a 5-piece rock band brought this tale of teen-angst to life. The sound design sought to support hard rock and traditional Shakespearean need for intelligibility while enveloping the audience in the beauty of forrest ambience.
The Living Dead
October 2022
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Directed by Brian Issac Phillips
Scenic Design by Samantha Reno
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by Nina Agelvis
Projection Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel
Properties Design by Kara Eble Trusty
This world premiere took the classic film and adapted the themes to explore race, LGBTQ+, and the importance of truth post-pandemic. The sound design for the production matched the abundance of score and effects of a modern horror film. Ramin Djawadi’s “Fright Night” score was recut to allow audiences to experience the fear our characters experience as zombies attack inside and outside the home. News anchors and TV personalities appear throughout the show, audibly reinforced live and through an on-set TV.
“Kudos to the design crew for this piece . . . Sound Designer Zack Bennett (utter perfection), . . .” -League of Cincinatti Theatres
The Little Prince
September 2022
River and Rail Theatre Company - Knoxville, TN
Directed by Joshua Peterson
Scenic Design by Amelia Peterson
Costume Design by Keeley Wade
Lighting Design by Jordan Vera
This tale of wonder and exploration set record sales for Knoxville’s newest theatre company. This production emphasized the child’s perspective of the events, beginning with children in a sandbox and growing into the real life and death stakes of the Little Prince’s story of love and loss.
Due to the musical elements of this concept and vocal production of child actors, all actors were mic’ed. This allowed for vocal manipulation rooted in each location, allowing the double cast characters to have their own sonic pallet, supported by beds and underscoring.
National order of the arrow convention 2022
July 2022
Boy Scouts of America - Thompson-Bowling Arena
Directed by David Heimann
Produced by OA Shows, Max Sasseen
This week-long conference brought Scouts and Scouters together on the UT campus. Over the course of five days, four arena shows are created: an opening ceremony; a Game Show/awards night; a retrospective on the organizations achievements, missteps, and mission moving forward; and concludes with an original play that supports the mission of the Order of the Arrow. The sound designer is responsible for coordinating all necessary PA, communications, and all other sound equipment to convert a basketball arena into a theatre for 7,000. Additionally, audio to support video packages, stingers, voice-over, and all other audio content to support the production is created by the Sound Designer.
Sweat
April 2022
River and Rail Theatre Company
Directed by Laura Dupper
Scenic Design by Claude Hardy
Costume Design by Korea Howard
Lighting Design by Jordan Vera
Lynn Nottage’s story of racism, classism, and capitalism in a factory town felt just as relevant as this design team sought to demonstrate how we still fight these issues today. The soundscape of this production utilized music from 2000 and 2008 to move from scene to scene. Music swelled to and from on-stage practicals around the set’s working bar. The atmosphere of the bar changed as the tension within the community increased as the economic stability wained.
The Comedy of Errors
April 2022
Cincinatti Shakespeare Company
Directed by Jeremy Dubin
Scenic Design by Samantha Reno
Costume Design by Rainy Edwards
Lighting Design by Justin N. Locke
Projection Design by Justen N. Locke & Robert Carlton Stimmel
Properties Design by Kara Eble Trusty
This interpretation retained Shakespeare’s dialogue, and supported the text with Rat Pack era Vegas standards sung by the twins, lovers, and everyone in between. To support this Ephesus turned Vegas, I designed soundscapes that transitioned these characters from poolside bungalows to casinos, to Sinatra-esc show-stopping numbers. Throughout the design and rehearsal process, I sourced and (re-)arranged backing tracks to support the live performances.
Photos property of Cincinatti Shakespeare Company.
2022 Runner Up
The Unusual Tale of mary and joseph’s baby
December 2021
River and Rail Theatre Company - Knoxville, TN
Directed by Danny Skinner
Scenic Design by Jax Wright
Costume Design by Erin Reed
Lighting Design by Jordan Vera
Associate Sound Designer & Mixer: David Melton
This Knoxville holiday tradition was reconceived, telling the traditional Christmas story through the eyes of Mary and Joseph in a contemporary setting. Soundscape supported the directorial vision of Mary and Joseph working to keep their lives afloat while living in poverty and without a traditional home. While living in poverty, the couple each encounter God’s messenger and are left to wrestle with how to respond. In addition to creating multiple sonic locations and supporting encounters with the divine, a five-member band with ten instruments was reinforced in the space. Actors were reinforced and manipulated live to support their presence as an angel. Recorded performances was used to layer additional vocals under the angel’s appearances and as on-stage phone calls and PA announcements.
Photos property of River and Rail Theatre.
On the Exhale
August 2019
Chautauqua Theater Company - Chautauqua Institution, NY
Directed by Patrick Walsh
Scenic Design by Sasha Schwartz
Costume Design by Dorottya Vincze
Lighting Design by Baxter Carlisle Chambers
Assistant Sound Designer: Alex Brock
The Director-Actor workshop explored one woman’s journey as she explored the connection between her grief after an act of gun violence and her newly discovered attraction to an assault rifle. The director and I created a sound scape that was rooted in realistic, diegetic sounds and morphed into the mind of our character. The through unsettling and subtle pads and tones the audience was invited into the woman’s grief, fear, and anger.
Agent 355
August 2019
Chautauqua Theater Company - Chautauqua Institution, NY
Music, Lyrics and Book by Preston Max Allen
Book and Dramaturgy by Jessica Kahkoska
Directed by Estefania Fadul
Scenic Design by Sasha Schwartz
Costume Design by Dorottya Vincze
Lighting Design by Baxter Carlisle Chambers
This workshop was the first production of Agent 355 with blocking and full design support. The short tech process combined with running the show in repertory created a whirlwind experience. My main concern was to deliver a sound that supported the garage/DIY venue style in which the play is set while creating a full sound that immersed the audience and ensured they could follow the story of these women who served Washington’s spy network in the American Revolution.
Photos by David Munch & property of Chautauqua Theater Company
Photos by David Munch & property of Chautauqua Theater Company
How the Light Gets In
July 2019
Chautauqua Theater Company - Chautauqua Institution, NY
By E.M. Lewis
Directed by Emilie Beck
Scenic Design by Sasha Schwartz
Costume Design by Dorottya Vincze
Lighting Design by Baxter Carlisle Chambers
The incredibly fast-paced New Play Workshops at Chautauqua serve as a springboard for plays who, typically, have not had full design support previously. This new work (premiering at Boston Court Pasadena two months after Chautauqua) received it’s first fully realized design. During the process, I worked with both the director and the playwright to discover more direct language to inspire future designers who work on this script. Due to the schedule at CTC, my design incorporated elements of both the previous and following main-stage production to streamline the changeover process
Photos by David Munch & property of Chautauqua Theater Company