RIP Tim Schellenbaum

Tim Schellenbaum, an award-winning sound designer at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, died on July 25 at the Mary Manning Walsh Home. He was 60.

LaMama posted a tribute to him on their website:

He was a musician, composer, sound engineer, and sound designer. He has been described as a quiet ambassador of Americana in its purest sense.

While attending The University of New Mexico he became known for his experimental work on WKNM radio and recording and promoting punk music. He stayed true to his roots and wrote music that honored his craft and his Hispanic heritage with his bands Zozobra, Me Wee Beastie and EIEIO.

He helped place his beloved Lower East Side on the world's cultural map. As an avant-garde musician, he worked with Arthur Russell, Robert Ashley, Rhys Chatham, Glenn Branca, Karole Armitage and The Nedd Sublette Band.

He worked at numerous downtown venues including The Kitchen, The New Federal Theatre, Theatre for The New City, and PS 122, and was the sound engineer for the Brookfield/Winter Garden space at the World Financial Center.

Proudly he served as the resident sound designer at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club for 25 years. As a resident artist at La MaMa, Tim generously shared his skills as a composer, sound designer and musician with hundreds of artists. His imprint on the downtown theatre scene is immeasurable.

Tim was the recipient of 1998 and 2000 Obie Awards and a 2007 IT Award for collaborative design.

Schellenbaum lived in the East Village with his wife, EiLeen Doster, and three children.

LaMama will be hosting a celebration of his life and work at a future date.