DENTON – Texas Woman’s University (TWU) Theatre will kick off its 2024-25 season with ‘Kid Simple,’ a unique production blending drama, comedy, and a history of sound effects in entertainment. The play will run from October 9 to 13 at Redbud Theater. Directed by Dr. Patrick Bynane, the production features live Foley sound effects, a form of creative sound design often used in radio plays and films.
‘When I explained the concept and said we’re going to have all of this Foley sound, a shout of joy went up among the tech students,’ Bynane said, emphasizing the appeal of the show’s technical demands for theater students working in sound design. He explained that students in acting and education emphases also learned about the live creation of sound effects using varied tools and objects.
Written by Jordan Harrison, ‘Kid Simple’ tells the story of Moll, an inventor who builds a machine that can hear what is unheard. The play doubles as a live radio drama, with a Foley artist character creating sound effects throughout the performance. According to Bynane, the Foley artist adds not only technical elements but also comic relief, as the character gets into lighthearted altercations with a narrator for mismanaging sound at times.
Athena Gardner, a junior at TWU majoring in Theatre with a focus on technical design, will play the Foley artist. ‘My emphasis is sound design,’ Gardner stated. ‘I’ve experienced Foley, but I’ve never been the operator. It’s something new, and it’s been fun researching creative ways to make both mundane and extraordinary sounds.’ Gardner will be supported by two off-stage sound artists, including Daniel Sandoval, to achieve the complex sound design needed for the production.
Bynane explained that Foley sound creation dates back to ancient China, Greece, and Rome, where basic methods were used to enhance live performances with sound effects. The practice has evolved through the centuries to include everything from live theater and radio plays to modern filmmaking, where Foley artists are responsible for creating sounds that range from natural, everyday noises to creative sounds for science fiction films.
The show’s cast features TWU Theatre members, including Victoria Cortez in the lead role of Moll, as well as several TWU veterans such as Mercedes Slade, Adia Best, Dinvela Adam, and Wesley Miller. Newcomer Athena Gardner brings technical expertise into the performance as the Foley artist, while Ezra Pleimann makes his on-stage debut after previous roles in set design.
‘Kid Simple’ will stage several performances from Wednesday, October 9, through Sunday, October 13. Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows on October 12 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 for adults, including TWU faculty and staff, and $5 for students, children, and seniors.
For the Denton community, this production offers not only a fresh, entertaining option for a night out but also a chance to support local students and learn about the art and history of sound in theater. The show provides a unique blend of storytelling with both modern and traditional technologies, making it a must-see for theatergoers.