Sparta native honored at alma mater

An acclaimed freelance sound designer and composer in the nation’s capital who grew up in Sparta has been recognized at his alma mater as a distinguished alumnus. Justin Schmitz, a native of Sparta who is now a freelance sound designer and composer in the Washington, D.C. area, has received 2022 Rada Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the last 20 years, achieved professional distinction and taken part in humanitarian activities.  

Schmitz was recognized at a brunch Saturday, Sept. 17^th, on campus. He and other alumni receiving awards also spoke with students and took part in a panel discussion. Schmitz, an innovator in theatrical sound design, is a valued partner and collaborator for Gallaudet University theatre and dance programs. Along with designing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and other Washington, D.C., venues, Schmitz shares his talents across the nation. 

Schmitz holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre design and technology from UW-La Crosse, in 2011. He has a Master of Fine Arts, from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2015. Schmitz is impressive with his creative, cutting-edge sound design for theater. In fact, he’s so creative that he’s even making waves with those who are deaf, allowing them to experience and enjoy audible theatrics in new, bold ways. 

After starting his early theatrical profession fine-tuning sound, on the stage of UW-La Crosse’s Toland Theatre, Schmitz has taken his talents to the country’s second largest theater city. 

David Kilpatrick, director of education programs and productions for D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, says Schmitz stands out for his distinction in sound design, as well as his fearless and collaborative exploration of how sound design affects audiences and storytelling. He says Schmitz’s bridge-building savviness is helping him shape what’s ahead for the creative theater field.  “He has emerged as a young leader, on a national scale, in theatrical sound design,” notes Kilpatrick. “He is one with the right mix of professionalism and intelligence to make a difference in shaping the field’s future.” 

Schmitz is also known for his innovative and heartfelt work with the theater and dance program at Washington, D.C.’s Gallaudet University. Ethan Sinnott, professor and director of the program, says Gallaudet is fortunate to have Schmitz, whom he calls a fast-rising star in the theatrical hotbed of D.C., be so supportive of its programming. He appreciates Schmitz’s keen interest in developing strategies to synthesize sound design for deaf theater.  “As an artistic collaborator, Mr. Schmitz has always exhibited a sensitivity to the deaf-oriented nature of Gallaudet and its community, in his pursuit of the seemingly paradoxical challenge of designing sound for deaf theatre,” explains Sinnott. 

As a freelance sound designer and composer, Schmitz has earned numerous awards. He takes his craft to numerous theater projects in many states.   

 Justin Schmitz 

• Recipient of the UW-La Crosse 2022 Rada Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have graduated within the last 20 years, achieved professional distinction and taken part in humanitarian activities. 
• Innovator in theatrical sound design, valued partner and collaborator for Gallaudet University theatre and dance programs. 
• Freelance sound designer and composer in the Washington, D.C. area and regionally across the nation including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. 
• Bachelor’s degree in theatre design and technology from UW-La Crosse, 2011; Master of Fine Arts from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 2015.