Spongebob

Design completed for Magnolia Musical Theatre's 2025 production of The SpongeBob Musical in Bee Cave, TX.

Best Sound Design of a Play or Musical - Nominated

BroadwayWorld Austin Awards 2025 (voting open until 12/31/25)

DESIGN TEAM

Director: Rick Roemer

Music Director: Susan Finnigan

Choreographer: Matthew Kennedy

Stage Manager: Faith Castaneda

Scenic Designer: Desi Roybal

Lighting Designer: Josh Harvey

Costume Designer: Teresa Carson

Hair & Make-Up Designer: Tara Cooper

ABOUT THE SHOW

The SpongeBob Musical is, of course, based on the cartoon created by Stephen Hillenburg. The musical carries over the themes of friendship and believing yourself from the cartoon, but adds well-executed commentary on xenophobia and fear-mongering. The music is truly rocking as well, but the highlight of the show for me is the live foley artist who brings the sounds of the cartoon to life from onstage. This show is equal parts F-U-N and important moral messaging. Frankly, it's a blast.

CTX Live Theatre Review

BroadwayWorld Review

DESIGN GOALS

Create a world where cartoon logic is fun and convincing while also keeping the stakes of the volcano real.
Give the foley artist the tools he needs to play with both the cast and the audience to create a truly unique experience for everyone.
Stay true to the spirit of the cartoon by incorporating a multitude of sound effects inspired by the original cartoon.

Photo by Emily Cannata

FOLEY ARTIST FISH

One of the unique aspects of this show is that there is a live foley artist onstage who performs almost all of the sound effects. To accomplish this, I provided our foley artist (Dawson MacLeod) with an array of toys, including but not limited to: