ABOUT ME
Hello everyone! My name is Ethan Hunter, and I’m a Sound Designer and Composer based in Melbourne/Naarm. I work across theatre, dance, film and interdisciplinary performance, with a particular interest in the ways sound can shape emotion, space and storytelling.
My creative practice grew out of two passions: making music and performing. I spent years playing in bands and acting in school productions, and eventually discovered that sound could bring those worlds together. I became fascinated by the process of collaborating with directors, performers and designers to build sonic worlds that are not simply supporting a story, but actively helping to tell it.
As a sound designer and composer, I create immersive sonic environments, original music and compositions that respond to the world of each work. I love the collaborative nature of theatre — being in a room with artists, experimenting with ideas, listening, and finding the sound that makes a moment click. I’m particularly interested in balancing organic and electronic sounds, and exploring how live and generative sound can create unexpected experiences for an audience.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue developing my practice and working with companies and artists across Australia and internationally. I’d love to design work for organisations such as MTC, STC and the National Theatre in London, while also developing my own original, sound-driven work. I’m increasingly interested in moving beyond the traditional role of “sound designer” and towards creating work where sound is at the centre of the dramaturgy and audience experience.
Some of my proudest projects to date include Boys On The Verge of Tears and Back to Te Maunga, made with dear friends and collaborators, as well as work across independent theatre, dance and interdisciplinary projects in Melbourne. Each project has taught me something different about collaboration, adaptability and the importance of being willing to experiment.
I’m driven by curiosity and a willingness to keep learning. I value meeting new people, hearing different perspectives and finding new ways of working. I believe the arts can challenge expectations, create genuine connection and give audiences the opportunity to experience stories in ways they might not otherwise encounter.
Outside of work, I’m an avid football fan, enjoy playing music, collecting tattoos and sharing a good glass of red wine.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly for a theatre artist, I’ve seen more theatre shows in the past eight years than I have films at the cinema. There’s something about the energy, immediacy and unpredictability of live performance that continues to completely captivate me.
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. I’m always excited to connect with other artists, makers and collaborators who are curious about what sound can do.
