Today we’d like to introduce you to MaeAnn Ross.
Thanks for sharing your story with us MaeAnn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started in high school as a classical vocalist; taking lessons, performing and competing, over the course of eight years. At the same time, I was doing theatre, as an actor. I quickly realized I was not a great actor, and I was slowly but surely falling out of love with singing. So when I didn’t get cast in a show, I decided to try the technical side of things, specifically sound design. I instantly fell in love. Doing sound design and being a sound designer has been such a good way to keep music in my life without performing it, which is the best of both worlds honestly. I decided to pursue sound design as a career, completing a BFA in Technical Production at Texas State and an MFA in Sound Design at UC San Diego. I am now starting a new chapter in my life, as the Post MFA Fellow in Design at Pomona College in Claremont, CA.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A couple of the things I’ve struggled with the most is being a woman in a very male dominated field, and also struggling with mental illness in a field that really pushes hustle culture.
It’s incredibly demeaning to be in a room full of men and constantly feel like you’re not good enough or that you don’t know as much because you’re a woman. I am also very young for the position I am in and the accomplishments that I have. So walking into a meeting or a rehearsal and sometimes being the youngest person there, is hard to navigate. I’ve often been asked “Are you sure you want to be a theatre designer?” or questioned on my personal style because it doesn’t the social model of being a sound designer.
I was diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, and spurts of high functioning depression right before I moved to San Diego. I had always struggled with my temper, being emotionally displaced, and sleep issues, so having a diagnosis that explained everything was a huge relief. I continue to navigate my mental illness and managing that with my professional life.
Self Employed – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I market myself as a Sound Designer and I dabble in Projections Design. So anything to do with sound in a play or musical, I have a hand in. I pride myself on creativity and not having “a staple”. As a theatre artist, it’s important to be adaptable to the concept of the show and what is best for the show. Since I have a background in music, I love being able to incorporate music into the show, in whatever that may be. Whether it’s through pre-recorded tracks, actors playing instruments, or making my own recordings from myself playing an instrument or hiring someone.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently, I am teaching undergraduate theatre design at Pomona College. Claremont. On top of that, I just accepted a position as the Technical Director at Onstage Playhouse in Chula Vista, San Diego. And I am also still freelance Sound Designing on top of all that.
I have also started an Etsy page to sell my watercolor art. Since COVID I have been painting a lot more and people seem to be having a positive response to my artwork!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maeannrossdesigns.myportfolio.com
- Email: maeannross22@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designsbymaeann/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maeannross22/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsbyMaeAnn?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Image Credit:
Karli Cadel
Jim Carmody
Simptika
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