Robert Manning, Sound Designer
Robert’s background in audio production began when he was in high school where he participated in drama programs onstage as a performer and behind the scenes in set building, lighting and sound. He continued in community theater after high school spending several years working at Fort Bliss (the Moulin Rouge Dinner Theater) and for the Fort Bliss Music & Theater Branch as technical director. While in college he worked behind the scenes on a number of opera productions at UTEP (Die Fledermaus and La Boheme). His passion for music and technology would lead him to learn more about sound & sound systems and theatrical lighting. The local rock bands he played in would struggle to make their sound systems operate properly so Robert studied and learned how to operate the gear. He continued playing in bands while finding work as an audio engineer helping other bands set up their sound systems. Robert also worked as an audio engineer in the recording studio where he would work for ten years as the in-house engineer at Sonic Ranch Recording Studios. He recorded a number of bands and worked with several producer/engineers of national renown resulting in the national and international release of a number of CD's. In recent years he returned to work as an audio engineer for live sound events - concert production, corporate events, school and church functions. When the UTEP Dinner Theater sought to fill the sound designer/theater specialist position, Robert decided to apply and is pleased to return to the theater where his audio career began. Robert earned his Bachelor of Music degree from UTEP in 1990.