Thomas Dixon
Thomas Dixon (he/they) is a theatrical sound designer and composer who became a Steep artistic associate in 2011 and an ensemble member in 2018. He has designed and composed for more than 25 Steep productions since 2006, including A Case for the Existence of God, Light Falls, Pomona, Linda, Birdland, Lela & Co., Pornography, and A Brief History of Helen of Troy. Elsewhere in Chicago, his work has been heard at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Writers Theatre, Jackalope Theatre Company, Raven Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, and many more. His work in Chicago has been recognized on multiple occasions by the Joseph Jefferson Awards, including nominations for his work on Steep’s productions of Wastwater and The Invisible Hand. Thomas also has extensive national credits, with productions at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Play House, Jacob’s Pillow Dance, and many more.
Thomas is the sound designer and composer for Frida… A Self Portrait, written and performed by Vanessa Severo and directed by fellow Steep ensemble member Joanie Schultz, which premiered in 2019 at Kansas City Rep. Since then, it has had a long life in productions across the country and internationally, including stops at Portland Center Stage, Union Arts Center in Seattle, Milwaukee Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Geva Theatre Center, Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., and World Theatre Day 2025 in Rio de Janeiro.
Thomas trained at Interlochen Arts Academy and received his undergraduate degree in Theatre from Northwestern University. Thomas has been a faculty member at DePaul University since 2017, teaching all levels of the Sound Design BFA curriculum. He also taught stage design at Columbia College Chicago from 2016–2023. In addition to his design, composition, and teaching work, Thomas served as Artistic Curator for The Boxcar at Steep Theatre, programming non-theatrical performances and events twice a week year-round from 2018 – 2020, including musical performances, stand-up comedy, panels and interviews, play and poetry readings, drag shows, cross-disciplinary experimental works (including an extended residency/collaboration between Steep and Ensemble Dal Niente), and more. For his service in that position, he was named by Newcity as one of their 2019 Players––The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago.
Thomas is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. Hear more at thomasdixonsound.com.
