The Sound Shell is a place for performance – music, dance, theatre, speeches, group exercises and motion pictures. Performance requires actor(s) and audience. For enhanced visibility and to mark a separation between actor and audience, the actor is elevated on a platform. The audience remains on the ground plane. To further mark the special qualities of the performance space there is a roof to the platform.  To facilitate access from ground to stage a ramp is provided. A thick wall at the rear of the stage houses services and equipment to aid the performers.