Odd Man Out, an innovative theater production performed in complete darkness by the Argentinian-based Teatro Ciego in partnership with PITCHBLACK Immersive Experiences, is currently running off-Broadway at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture in New York City until August 11th. Conceived by Martín Bondone, General Director of Teatro Ciego, the production offers theatergoers an immersive sensory experience that engages the audience’s senses through sound, smell, taste, and touch. Originating in Buenos Aires, Odd Man Out tells the story of Alberto, a blind musician, through immersive audio technology from Sennheiser and Dear Reality.
Bondone’s play follows Alberto, a blind musician, returning to Buenos Aires from New York after decades abroad. As he reflects on his life, the audience experiences his journey collectively through sound, smell, taste, and touch. Using a plane flight as a plot motif, the production invites audience members into Alberto’s memories as the play progresses. They will feel mist and wind spraying through the audience, hear the white noise of an airplane, and smell food cooking and tea brewing. Audience members will even taste empanadas, making it a truly immersive experience.
Sound Design and Technical Details
Nicolás Alvarez, the Technical Director and Immersive Audio Designer, emphasizes that immersive sound design was a key requirement in achieving the dramatic objective: “By not working with visual sets, immersive sound becomes crucial. High-quality audio transports the viewer to different scenes — whether experiencing a plane trip, a protest, or a river.”
To achieve this immersive experience, Alvarez uses dearVR PRO 2 with a 5.1.4 configuration to mix Odd Man Out. The setup includes a Focusrite 18i20 audio interface with 10 outputs, connected to a JBL EON 715 speaker system. Four speakers surround the audience, and four are on the ceiling, complemented by an EON subwoofer, all controlled through Ableton.
When discussing the integration of these advanced tools, Alvarez shares his creative process: “I use Nuendo 13 for immersive mixes, with dearVR PRO 2 enhancing the movement and realistic effect of the audio. Spatial Connect from Dear Reality adds another layer of creative freedom.” He adds, “dearVR PRO 2 lets me model environments and use the exact reverb needed, while dearVR Monitor and my Sennheiser HD 490 PRO headphones ensure spatially accurate audio. This setup allows the sound to translate perfectly to our immersive systems.”
For optimal sound immersion, it is essential that the speakers are positioned equidistantly, forming a square around the audience and another smaller square on the ceiling. Alvarez uses a decibel meter to balance speaker volume, measure delays, and adjust equalization based on the space. He states, “Before each performance, we conduct system, dB, and delay checks to ensure consistent sound quality, essential for immersing the audience in the scene.”
Teatro Ciego and Pitch Black Immersive Experience
Teatro Ciego, with 16 years of experience in Buenos Aires, has been dedicated to creating experiences in complete darkness, and it has become clear that immersive audio is essential: “Our mission is for the viewer to feel like they are really part of the scene.” says Alvarez. “Technological advancements have supported this mission, with tools like dearVR Pro 2 allowing for the creation of realistic environments.” Since partnering with a New York-based production company in 2019 to create Pitch Black Immersive Experience, Teatro Ciego has gone on to produce private events for companies like Google, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Castrol.
Alvarez also notes the significant changes in spatial and immersive audio technology over the past 5-6 years, highlighting its impact on cinema, theater, and music consumption. “These technologies are enabling new, engaging experiences for audiences.”
