about
Born over a bonfire and fueled by Shakespeare and the science of sound, Knock at the Gate builds narrative immersive audio experiences with the goal of providing meaningful creative collaboration for theater and filmmakers around the world, fostering new connections between artists and audiences, and pushing the boundaries of immersion, resonance and access through the power of sound alone.
Since launching in late 2020, Knock at the Gate's critically acclaimed 3D audio experiences, designed for the dark and a pair of headphones, have streamed to thousands of listeners around the world and been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, American Theater Magazine, on NPR, and Good Day New York. In Fall 2021, the company led its first residency at Emory University bringing students and professional artists together in an exploration of Shakespeare and virtual audio production. To date Knock at the Gate projects have raised nearly $15,000 for The Entertainment Community Fund, a national services organization for arts workers in need.
Knock at the Gate was co founded and is led by Artistic Director Joseph Discher and Artistic Producer Sean Hudock. Major support for knock at the gate is provided by: THE s. dillard and adrienne kirby family philanthropic fund / the honorable thomas h. Kean / kate schlesinger / chris D. SCHMIDT / DAVID E. SKINNER
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“Theater buffs should know about knock at the gate, you’ll be captivated”
Broadwayworld
“LIKE THE TRIPPIEST CAMPFIRE STORIES, TAP INTO YOUR IMAGINATION THROUGH YOUR EARS”
NEW YORK TIMES
LISTEN
Knock at the Gate experiences are designed for a pair of headphones and darkness which triggers circuits in the visual cortex, inviting a more immersive listening experience and activating what we call ‘the space between your ears.’ Select a title to hear a sample and learn more.
Broadcast feb 14 - mar 16, 2024
The third full length immersive listening experience from Knock at the Gate, created in isolation and designed for a pair of headphones and darkness. Inspired by the sounds of the sea the project was streamed to listeners on 6 continents, more than 20 countries and 30 US states February 14 - March 16, 2024.
Featuring Hale Appleman, Michael Daly, Joseph Discher, Joel de la Fuente, Sean Hudock, Greg Jackson, Maurice Jones, Emily Skeggs, Shane Taylor, Raphael Nash Thompson, Patrick Toon, and Derek Wilson.
Directed & Adapted by Joseph Discher
Soundscape by Leigh Roberts
Engineering and Additional Designs:
Rider Q. Stanton
Production Manager: Denise Cardarelli
Associate Sound Designer: Kristina Tevdoradze
Produced by Sean Hudock
More in Playbill
“lend your ears shakespeare lovers and the bard’s ‘tempest’ will sweep through your homes, a three dimensional experience in every sense.”
new york sun
“charts a new Technological course, an excellent production”
no proscenium
Broadcast may 25 - 29, 2021
The second full length immersive listening experience from Knock at the Gate, created in isolation and designed for a pair of headphones and lunar light. Inspired by the cosmic images and caveats in Shakespeare’s 'Julius Caesar' and the work of NASA’s data sonification project, the project was streamed to listeners around the world May 25-29, 2021, timed to air with the “Super Blood Moon” and first full lunar eclipse since 2019.
Featuring Jacqueline Antaramian, Joel de la Fuente, Joseph Discher, Mark H. Dold, Sean Hudock, Maurice Jones, January LaVoy, Anthony Michael Martinez, Ryan McCarthy, Shane Taylor, Patrick Toon, Scott Wentworth, and Derek Wilson
Directed & Adapted by Joseph Discher
Soundscape by Leigh Roberts
Engineering and Additional Designs:
Rider Q. Stanton
Production Manager: Denise Cardarelli
Associate Sound Designer: Kristina Tevdoradze
Producing Resident: Hope Cassandra
Produced by Sean Hudock
More in Theatermania
More in Playbill“raised hairs on the back of my neck. listeners are in for a treat under the blood moon.”
Theatermania
The first full length immersive listening experience from Knock at the Gate, created in isolation and designed to be listened to on a pair of headphones by candle light. The project streamed October 30 - November 1, 2020 to listeners around the world, raising $10,000 for The Actors Fund.
Featuring Jacob Cogman, Robert Cuccioli, Joel de la Fuente, Sean Hudock, Rocío Mendez, Tim Nicolai, Mandy Olsen, Geoffrey Owens, Laila Robins, Shane Taylor, Patrick Toon, Tamara Tunie, Jeorge Bennett Watson, and Derek Wilson
Directed & Adapted by Joseph Discher
Sound Design by Will Padilla
Production Management: Denise Cardarelli
Assistant Director: Lizzie Engleberth
Produced by Sean Hudock
More in Playbill
More in American Theatre Magazine
broadcast oct 30 - nov 1, 2020
“WITH AWARD-WINNING VOICE ACTORS AND THRILLING SOUND DESIGN, LISTENERS WILL EXPERIENCE TOTAL IMMERSION”
WABE/NPR
EDUCATION
Knock at the Gate’s educational offerings:
TESTIMONIALS
“THIS greatly improved the students' comprehension of the play. They were completely engaged and really enjoyed the experience.”
UNIVERSITY Professor
“The use of the 3D sound space helped me a lot, especially as a bilingual speaker whose primary language is not English.”
High School Student
“It’s totally changed how I see Shakespeare's work. You know, some of us call his language "archaic," but diving into this audio adventure showed me just how fresh and relatable it is today. Overall, this whole experience was just amazing. And some of my students are itching to check out more of your plays.”
High School Teacher
"I’ve read Shakespeare before, in listening to the audio, it was like a completely new immersive experience for me. It felt like it was happening right in front of me. I could see everything in front me which was something I’ve never experienced before.”
UNIVERSITY Student
"I’ve seen Shakespeare in the Park. This was different. I feel like with Shakespeare you can’t really catch all the details, with this you can sit there and get everything."
UNIVERSITY Student
- Empower students to become observant interpreters of text and performance
- Engage students with Shakespeare’s work through unique multi-sensory audio experiences
- Inspire young people to exercise their own imaginations, sparking their creativity through the power of sound alone
Students who listen to a Knock at the Gate production are immersed in the world of the play through accessible adaptations of Shakepeare’s work brought to life by state of-the-art 3D soundscapes and critically acclaimed performances.
Led by education specialist Emily Rome, Knock at the Gate's dynamic classroom curriculum offers a doorway to a brave new world of comprehending and experiencing the magic of Shakespeare and the science of sound.
Contact us at porter@knockatthegate.com for more about educational programming for high school and college students.SCHOLARSHIP
Knock at the Gate's singular approach to Shakespeare has been the subject of scholarship including Dr. Sheila Cavanagh’s latest work “Multi Sensory Shakespeare and Specialized Communities” now available from Bloomsbury/Arden Shakespeare.
“THE PRODUCTIONS ARE BOTH consistently engaging using high-quality audio techniques to craft engrossing presentations of classic drama.”
DR. SHEILA CAVANAGH
“exceptional production values, creates some truly sublime immersive listening experiences.”
DR. PETER KIRWAN/BARDATHON
“sooooOO I think i just liked shakespeare for the first time ever!? caesar: a surround sound experiment is out of this world”
@dmeyernews
