On Wednesday, the Tony Awards Committee hastily decided to eliminate the awards for best sound design -- awards that many of my fellow sound designers and I lobbied to have created in 2007. No direct explanation was given, but reports following the decision say it was partially due to sound design being more of a "technical" craft rather than an art form.

On the contrary, c 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. Tell the committee to reverse this decision now!c