Creating transportive soundscapes, here are the 2025 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best sound design as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected for this 2025 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other categories, and check back on Dec. 22 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
Marco DiGeorge was sound designer for the Theater on the Edge production of “Birds of North America,” with Elaitheia Quinn and Allan Whitehead.
(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Marco DiGeorge
‘Birds of North America’ Theater on the Edge
IN MAY: In “Birds of North America,” Marco DiGeorge’s sound design became its own character. There was the literal value to the different chirps and squeaks, reflecting the bird species mentioned in the script. But the birds also reflected the emotions and themes of the story as they sounded warnings, broke the tension or offered reassurance that life goes on. This is DiGeorge’s seventh appearance in the year-end honors.
Stephen Jones was the sound designer for the Renaissance Theatre Company production of “The Pitchforks.” (Courtesy Jake Pearce via Renaissance Theatre)
Stephen Jones
‘The Pitchforks’ Renaissance Theatre Company
IN JANUARY: In “The Pitchforks,” a vivid an in-your-face story that stradded the real world and fantasy, Stephen Jones’ spectacular sound handled everything from offstage urinating to a rainstorm to the screeches and wails that come from beyond the veil.
Matthew MacDermid was sound designer for the Ensemble Company production of “Frozen,” with Jessica Hamilton and Jonna Kae Volz. (Courtesy Matthew MacDermid via The Ensemble Company)
Matthew MacDermid
‘Frozen’ The Ensemble Company
IN MAY: Matthew MacDermid’s sound design provided music cues that deftly captured the restless nature of the characters’ complicated inner lives while also providing a few familiar and crucial real-life effects: A flight-attendant call button, a wrecking ball in action. In their ordinariness, those sounds dramatically punctuated key turning points in a fascinating and thought-provoking play. This is MacDermid’s 10th appearance in the year-end honors; in 2023, he was awarded the Critic’s Pick in this category for his work on “The Inheritance.”
Anthony Narciso was sound designer for the Orlando Family Stage production of “Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium.” (Courtesy McKenzie Lakey via Orlando Family Stage)Anthony Narciso was sound designer for the Orlando Family Stage production of “Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium,” with Nyeshia Naomii. (Courtesy McKenzie Lakey via Orlando Family Stage)
Anthony Narciso
‘Goosebumps The Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium’ Orlando Family Stage
IN OCTOBER: In horror, what you hear can be just as thrilling as what you see — or don’t. And with the “Goosebumps” series for young audiences, it’s critical to find just the right tone of fun: Creepy without terrifying the little ones. Anthony Narciso’s soundscape perfectly hit that sweet spot. This is the seventh time Narciso has been honored in this category.
Britt Sandusky was sound designer for the Orlando Shakes production of “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” with Timothy Williams, Blake Croft and Philip Nolen. (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)
Britt Sandusky
‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ Orlando Shakes
IN OCTOBER: In a madcap farce, Britt Sandusky’s sound design was a key part of the fun, underscoring the silliness. More than just background, some of the sound cues joined in on the merriment by making their own aural jokes. Sandusky also was honored in 2019 for the sound design of Orlando Shakes’ “Hamlet.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/16/sound-design-best-orlando-theater-2025/
