Professional Audio Engineering

Audio Engineer, Waterville Opera House, 2019 - 2020

• Sound amplification, sound design, and original music for five large productions throughout the season

• Audio plotting and engineering for all visiting shows and acts

• Mentorship of Colby College and Thomas College interns

Freelance Audio Engineer, 2013 - present

• Working audio gigs at the Chicago Symphony Center, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, University of Southern Maine, Navy Pier Crystal Garden Ballroom, Willis Tower, Aon Ballroom, and many others

Audio Manager, University of Chicago Theater Program, 2017

• Managed audio for five performance venues associated with the University of Chicago’s Theater and Performance Studies Program

• Provided audio mentorship to students assigned to technical theatre work/study

Lead Audio Engineer, Invoice Chicago Recording Studios, 2015 - 2017

• Worked with soloists and ensembles, both capturing and creating sounds for singles, EPs, and albums

• Negotiated contracts with artists and for artists

Lead Audio Engineer, Youth Blues Movement, 2015 - 2017

• Recorded, mixed, and mastered music played by urban youth in Chicago

• Provided chamber music coaching for young blues and R&B musicians

Assistant Audio Manager, “Sound Waves Music Festival,” 2013 - 2014

• Supported sound design and management for a new music festival in Sweden

Theatrical Sound Design

• Mary Poppins, Penobscot Theater Company, 2023

• Squid Season, Audio Engineer for short film, 2022

  • Official Selection for the Seattle Queer Film Festival, 2022

  • Official Selection for the Academy Qualifying 50th Athens International Film + Video Festival

• Tuck Everlasting, the Musical, Waterville Opera House, 2020

• Miss Holmes, Waterville Opera House, 2020

• Newsies, the Musical, Waterville Opera House, 2019

• The Divine Sister, Waterville Opera House, 2019

• Sentient Concerto Grosso, USM Wind Ensemble, 2018

• Proof, North Park University, 2017

• Konkatenation of Kafka, Victory Gardens Theatre, 2017

• Burn, Gorilla Tango Theatre, 2017

• Battleaxe Betty, American Theatre Company, 2016

• Mutiny, Chicago Fringe Festival, 2016

• Goliath, multiple dance companies (75’) 2015/2016

• John Montoya’s Motorbike, Public House Theatre, 2015

• All Fall Down, Public House Theatre, 2015

• Genetic, 20% Theatre Company, 2015

• [electro]symphonyN1, symphony for live electronics (50'), 2014

• Delirium, Ljudvagor Festival, 2014

• The Electron Reservoir, Gotland Dance Theater (32'), 2013

Reviews

"...Sound designer Ben David Richmond seamlessly transport[s] the audience to the streets of London and inside the Banks’ home on Cherry Tree Lane." 
— The Bangor Daily News review of Mary Poppins at Penobscot Theatre Company

"...a rich, layered sound...I was surprised to see in the program that it was produced by only six musicians — rather than a full orchestra."
— The Ellsworth American review of Mary Poppins at Penobscot Theatre Company