EAST HADDAM, CONNECTICUT: Since 1963, Goodspeed Musicals of East Haddam, Connecticut has gained a reputation as "the home of American musical theatre," often staging or reviving little-known gems of the genre. The theatre is located in the top floor of a restored Victorian building overlooking the Connecticut River, with a small 20-by-30 foot stage and seating for 400 patrons. Goodspeed has traditionally been an acoustic venue, but when the artistic team chose to stage the gospel musical "Abyssinia" in its fall schedule, they knew the time had come for a serious upgrade to their audio system.
 

Evolution wireless appears in an invisible performance at the
Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam, Connecticut

Production manager Glen Grusmark and sound engineer Jay Hilton were assigned the task of researching wireless systems that could handle a full cast of twenty-four, while maintaining Goodspeed's reputation for Broadway quality. Having worked with Sennheiser equipment in the past, they recommended that the group invest in the "gold standard" for theatrical wireless. As a result, Goodspeed purchased a dozen channels of Sennheiser Evolution G2 wireless systems, including SK500G2 bodypacks and EM550 dual-channel receivers. For lead actors requiring even smaller bodypacks, an additional four channels of top-of-the-line SK5012 bodypacks were specified, to be run through EM3032-U dual-channel receivers. Rounding out the system were the ASA3000 antenna splitter and A2003-UHF paddle-style antennas.
 

A dozen channels of Sennheiser Evolution G2 SK500 wireless systems, SK500G2 bodypacks and EM550 dual-channel receivers, SK5012 bodypacks running through EM3032-U dual-channel receivers and various antenna splitters and paddle-style antennas grace the stage at the Goodspeed Opera House

There's an old saying among theatre techs, that anything that's not part of the action onstage should be invisible. In other words, the goal is for the audience to never see a microphone, and never know they're hearing enhanced audio. So as critical to success as the wireless systems themselves, were the two dozen MKE2 Gold subminiature lavalier microphones. Goodspeed's executive director, Michael Price, explains. "These mics are exceptional, and sound completely natural, it is our hope that the audience will never know there's a sound system in the house."

One drawback to a venue as intimate as Goodspeed is that the space permits only an eight-piece orchestra (including a synthesizer) and they are required to play at a low volume in order for the voices to be properly heard. Previously, only principal cast members have been miked. Now, with the ability to mike the full cast, the troupe will no longer be dependent on maintaining a delicate acoustic balance between orchestra and actors, allowing both actors and orchestra to perform to their full abilities.

Dan McMahon, the theatre's marketing director, explains Goodspeed's appeal. "We've sent 17 shows to Broadway, so out of this tiny theatre comes these amazing productions. But because it's a small theatre with a small stage, the audience also gets this very intimate experience. Our audience really gets to hear the actors true voices, and that's one reason they're so loyal. We pride ourselves on doing only the best, so having Sennheiser fits right in with how we do things. We're thrilled."