Dmitri Garin and the Balance Between Noise and Silence in Theatre
Dmitri Garin
Exploring the Art of Sound
What is theatre? It is a form of artistic expression that involves live performances by actors, musicians, and dancers on a stage in front of an audience. It encompasses various genres such as plays, operas, musicals, ballets, etc. Theatre allows artists to connect with viewers and evoke emotions through storytelling, dialogue, music, movement, and visual elements.
"When I've seen you go into an empty room, I've sometimes wanted to open the door suddenly, but I've been afraid to in case I found nobody there." (Theatre, 1937). W. Somerset Maugham reflects on the anticipation and mystery surrounding the empty stage before a performance. It highlights the transformative power of theatre, where empty space can come alive with vibrant characters, narratives, and emotions.
In the context of theatre, the director plays a crucial role in shaping the overall vision and execution of a production. They work closely with the actors, designers, and other creative team members to bring the script to life on stage. On the other hand, the composer contributes to the theatrical experience by creating original music or sound design that complements and enhances the performance.
Dmitri Garin, the Russian composer and sound designer, has collaborated with director Kirill Serebrennikov and Gogol Center on notable and original plays such as Little Tragedies (Golden Mask Award, 2019), Kafka, and Akhmatova, A Poem Without A Hero (Golden Mask Award, 2018). Their collaboration aimed to innovate the Russian theatre scene by incorporating psychoacoustics into the foundation of the plays. Psychoacoustics is the study of how sound is perceived and processed by the human ear and brain.
"Domestic noise is a secret productivity destroyer as it significantly affects a person's ability to perceive and process knowledge and information. Therefore, by masking everyday noises during a performance, sound designers help the audience immerse themselves deeply in the intended meaning, especially during moments of silence." (Dean, 2020). One of the challenges Garin faced was creating a balance between the natural and vibrant chaos of the Russian theatre and the necessary silence in certain scenes and pauses. In Kafka, for instance, he used otherworldly howls and phantasmagoric noises to emphasize the internal chaos of the protagonist. In Little Tragedies, the inclusion of nationally acclaimed rapper Husky and his tracks helped create an atmospheric tension. In Akhmatova, A Poem Without A Hero, the use of sparkling synthesizers and processed sounds of the harp performed by Sasha Boldachev made an alternative reality.
Garin employed the masking technique to address the issue of distracting everyday sounds during performances. By recording and processing hall noises in real time and mixing them with pre-prepared artificial noises and effects, his target was to immerse the audience in the story. This process, influenced by psychoacoustics, stimulated the cognitive abilities of the viewers through sound waves, helping them concentrate on the emotions and connect with the performance.
Silence is regarded as a sacred source that supports creative and mental space in the theatre. It allows the audience to focus on the performance and experience the intended atmosphere without any unexpected distractions. While theatre is an art form that brings together various elements, such as acting, music, dance, and visual design, to create live performances that engage and touch audiences, the role of a sound designer like Dmitri Garin is crucial in developing an organic balance between noise and silence, using techniques like psychoacoustics to enhance the theatrical experience and allow the audience to immerse themselves in the performance.
Written by Piera Lolandes
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Work Cited:
● “Read ‘Theatre’. William Somerset Maugham on Bookmate.” Theatre by William Somerset Maugham
● “Noise, Cognitive Function, and Worker Productivity.” by Joshua T. Dean, 25 Feb. 2020