A City-Based Theatrical Performance Featuring Headphones to Present an Innovative Storytelling Experience
Audiences engrossed in the play I, Josef Theatre has always been a reflection of society, and in the age of technology, it makes sense that various art forms are embracing technology to create a new w...
5
views

Audiences captivated by the play I, Josef discover that theatre continues to be a mirror of society, especially in this technological age where different art forms are leveraging technology to introduce a fresh way of engaging with storytelling. Theatre director Gaurav Singh Nijjer and scriptwriter Varoon P. Anand emphasize the significant role that technology plays in their upcoming 'headphone theatre piece'. Entitled I, Josef, this immersive binaural audio and multimedia installation invites spectators to immerse themselves in the world of Franz Kafka's renowned character. Nijjer and Anand share insights from their discussion on how technology enhances the creative process and the challenges they faced. In their experimentation with binaural audio, they focused on the impact of sound source placement and the recording environment on sound quality. Utilizing a mannequin head with perforations to replicate human ears and creative movement to achieve multi-directional sound, they aimed to enhance the 3D auditory experience for the audience. This format offers ample potential to delve into works of other authors and diverse narratives that lend themselves well to an immersive, psychological journey. Nijjer also shares the meticulous process of recording environmental sounds and effects for the binaural audio and the utilization of artificial intelligence to generate base artwork, overcoming challenges concerning the depiction of sensitive themes present in Kafka's text. Varoon discusses the unique experience that headphone theatre offers, combining both individual and communal engagement, providing a new dimension to the storytelling experience for the audience.Headphone theatre offers a unique and immersive way for audiences to engage with theatrical performances. By delivering audio content directly to individual listeners through headphones, this innovative form of theatre creates a personal and shared experience within a room full of people. Through headphone theatre, audiences can explore themes such as isolation, existentialism, surveillance, and bureaucracy in a contemporary context, offering a fresh perspective on timeless ideas.