The Tony Awards Administration Committee made two announcements June 11 concerning the 2014-15 season. One of the rulings stated, "The Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical will be eliminated from the competitive categories in the 2014-2015 season; however, the Tony committee holds the right to determine a special Tony award for certain productions that have excelled in this particular design realm."
In his petition on thepetitionsite.com, designer Gromada says, "Sound Design is a theatrical design art that is a critical part of the collaborative art of theatre. The American Theatre Wing should continue to honor excellence in sound design as it does for scenery, costume and lighting design, and as it has done since 2008. Sound designers are an important part of the theatrical community whose vital contributions cannot be ignored or dismissed. Reverse this decision now!"
The petition is aimed at the American Theatre Wing Tony Administration Committee. As of the morning of June 12, the petition has already received nearly 6,000 signatures.
The winners of the 2014 Tony Awards in the Sound Design categories were Steve Canyon Kennedy for Best Sound Design of a Play for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill and Brian Ronan for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
