INTRO | FACULTY | GRAD STUDENTS | STAFF | GUEST ARTISTS | ALUMNI

Melanie Lopez is a sound designer and theatre maker born and raised in Pomona, California. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has worked for the Southern California Shakespeare Festival and is the head audio engineer for the podcast Trek Table. Sound is imperative to every story and a valuable piece of the puzzle that completes the picture. Melanie has an interest in new work development and telling authentic diverse stories that help amplify voices of different perspectives. When she isn’t creating a concept playlist and spontaneously field recording, she enjoys spending her time developing her skills as an amateur puppeteer, geeking out to sci-fi shows, and playing video games with interactive narratives. She is looking forward to her journey honing her craft as a designer at UCI.

Jeremiah Turner is a Sound Designer/Engineer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since graduating from Louisiana State University in 2015, he has been serving as a Teacher’s Assistant and Sound Technician for LSU’s Sound Design program. Designing in the realms of theatre, and podcasting, Some of his notable works in theatre include, The Hangar Theatre’s “Stoo’s Famous Martian American Gumbo”, assistant designer for Swine Palace Theatre’s “Oil”, and LSU School of Theatre’s “Brooklyn Bridge.” Notable works in podcasting include, Dreams & Screams’ “The Somnilyte Sessions” and KB Saine’s “Black Theatre History Podcast”. When not designing, Jeremiah is a stand-up comedian. Producing and headlining shows around the state of Louisiana. He also enjoys baking and cooking.

 

Eric Backus (he/him) is a composer and sound designer, joining UC Irvine’s sound design cohort from Chicago. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Eric received a B.A. in Theatre from Arizona State University. His original music and sound designs for theatre have been heard around the country, Off-Broadway, and in many Chicago theatres including The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf, Writers, and Northlight. In addition to theatre, Eric composes and sound designs for podcasts and film. He is beyond thrilled to be back in the West Coast sunshine, and to join UCI’s MFA Class of 2026! www.ericbackus.com

Andrew Yoder is a sound designer/producer/DJ from Boise, Idaho. His start in sound began with his passion for music and DJ culture inspiring him to blend aspects from all across the musical spectrum and applying them to the theatrical world. Starting his sound design journey early in his undergraduate career with Sam Shepard's True West. Since then he has gone on to receive 3 awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival('19, '20, '21) for excellence in sound design for his work on A Kind of Alaska, Drowning Ophelia, and The Moors. He was also a nominee for the Don Childs' Collaboration Award in 2019. Outside of sound design, he enjoys disc golfing, yoga, and DJ-ing.  yodersound.com

.

.

This could be you...