Learn Why Brandon McDuff is the winner of the “Your Story in Sound” Student Sound Design Contest!
Brandon won a free trip to USITT25, his first ever to the Annual Conference & Stage Expo
Theatre sound design is an art that transforms performances, immersing audiences in stories through music, effects, and creative soundscapes. At Point Source Audio, we recognize the talent and dedication it takes to craft compelling theatre audio. That’s why, in partnership with USITT, we launched the “Your Story in Sound” contest—giving student sound designers the opportunity to showcase their work and win a trip to USITT 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
After receiving an wide array of submissions from students across the country, we’re thrilled to announce our contest winner:
Congratulations to Brandon McDuff of Michigan State University!
Brandon’s winning entry, Stevie and the Real World, stood out for its creative sound design, technical execution, and immersive storytelling.
Meet the Winner: Brandon McDuff
For Brandon, attending USITT 2025 is a career-defining opportunity. It will be his first time at USITT, where he looks forward to exploring the latest theatre technology, networking with industry professionals, and attending job interviews and workshops. But what truly set his entry apart was his dynamic and multidimensional approach to sound design
Behind the Sound: “Stevie and the Real World”
Brandon’s submission, Stevie and the Real World, was his first production as an MFA Sound Designer at Michigan State University. The play, a two-act capstone written for a specific acting cohort, provided a very professional, real world challenge for sound design—requiring Brandon to take on multiple roles, including composer, foley artist, programmer, engineer, system designer, music director, and studio engineer.
Creating an Immersive Soundscape
The story follows a group of students on a multicultural retreat, where they must piece together their memories after their friend, Stevie, mysteriously disappears into another dimension. The sound design played a key role in shaping the audience’s experience, particularly in the Act 1 finale—a moment that demanded tension, impact, and seamless synchronization with other design elements.
A Sound-Driven Theatrical Moment
As Stevie opens the earth’s crust, the soundscape builds:
- Rumbling earth and heavy organ strikes heighten the tension.
- A dramatic riser carries the audience into the unknown.
- A sudden silence, followed by a creepy yet whimsical soundscape made entirely of kazoo samples, introduces Stevie’s dimension.
- Surround sound effects immerse the audience, pulling them into Stevie’s strange new world.
- Stevie’s Theme, built from kazoos, synthesizers, and percussive elements, establishes the musical language of the play.
This bold sound design approach not only enhanced the storytelling but also required close collaboration with the director. By creating a TV-show-style theme for Stevie early in the process, Brandon was able to define the aural identity of the entire play—setting the tone for the production’s unique sonic world.
Here’s Brandon speaking about this collaboration:
“This play was a challenge in many ways, but one thing that took a lot of collaboration was getting on the same page as the director as to how everything would sound. After a few design meetings, I decided to make a TV-show-esque theme for the character Stevie. This way we could get the aural language down for the rest of the play. After playing it for the director, she said ‘yes I love it, I want everything to sound like that’, and thus was the first sound created for Stevie and the Real World.”
Watch The Submission Video!
Why Point Source Audio Picked Brandon’s Submission
- He told us a “story” that made sense and could be followed in the video submission.
- Experienced and addressed the real world demands of a Sound Designer.
- Clearly stated and understood that Sound Design is truly a collaboration
- We were very excited to help a Student Sound Designer attend the USITT Conference for the first time.
Brandon’s First-Ever Visit to USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo
Brandon had a blast hanging out and the Point Source Audio booth, and answered questions about his winning entry. Brandon was more than happy to answer attendee’s questions about his entry, and helping remind all UISTT attendee’s that student designers are helping to shape the future of theatre sound.
Not only that, but he even sported Point Source Audio’s brand color with his orange blazer!
Celebrating the Future of Sound Design
At Point Source Audio, we are committed to supporting the next generation of sound designers. This contest was a celebration of ingenuity, passion, and the power of sound in theatre—and we are beyond grateful to every student who shared their work with us.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to showcase your talent, and be sure to follow us for updates leading up to USITT 2025!
Follow all of us for more great news, stories, and new product innovations at:
https://www.instagram.com/point_source_audio
https://www.instagram.com/usitt
https://www.instagram.com/therealbrandonmcduff
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We look forward to speaking with you soon.
“This play was a challenge in many ways, but one thing that took a lot of collaboration was getting on the same page as the director as to how everything would sound.