Kyma

Intrigued by how voices of performers and audience may strengthen theatrical immersion, I was interested to explore Kyma, a powerful audio design platform, in the School of Drama’s production of “Passage” in the 2023 season. By picking up voices in the performance space with microphones and heavily processing them via Kyma in real time, I was curious to experiment what type of experience we could build for the audience by inviting them to be part of the soundscape. Unfortunately,  due to unforeseen circumstances within the production, the use of Kyma was cut last minute as the newly condensed schedule would not have provided enough time for us to work through Kyma’s complex technicality

However, Kyma was continuously used in my other projects. Collaborating with CMU Entertainment Technology Center and Pittsburgh Glass Center, I was commissioned to sound design for “Virtual Glass Blowing: Pittsburgh Glass Center,” a VR educational game designed for youth above 12 years old. In my design, I used Kyma to process the studio mascot Blaze’s voice, creating a whimsical, child-like voice that complements the lovely, warm experience of the game. The project won Golden Place in the 2023 International Serious Play Award in the Student Entries, and is currently used in Pittsburgh Glass Center’s summer Teen Boot Camp and fall school.

 

With a similar concept about how interactive vocal engagement may enhance theatrical experiences for the audience in “Passage,” I also built an Installation titled “Whisper” as an in-class project. The project consists of a participant speaking into a microphone while surrounded by a number of speakers. Kyma heavily processes the input then plays it back, creating a sea of unintelligible whispering surrounding the participant. The theme of the installation revolves around the human experience of being socially perceived and judged, and the soundscape symbolizes the experience of hearing gossip behind one’s back. With further polishing of the project,  I am hoping to submit this installation to festival and arts residency programs.

 

Credits: “Passage”

Director – Ausar Stewart

Associate Director – Kyle Haden, Robert Ramirez

Stage Manager: Liberty Lapayowker

Scenic Designer: Jonah Carleton

Costume Designer: Carrie Huneycutt-Parker

Lighting Designer: Ariel Bernhard

Media Designer: Elly Wolhardt

Dramaturg: Annie Nguyen

Production Manager: Virginia Tipps

Cast: Annalisa D’Aguilar, Simone De La Torre, Noah Pacht, Mariana Garzon Toro, Lukas Jarvi, Sophia Macy. Joshua Lewis, Leyla Davis, Nate Kelderman, Lilac Emery-Haynes

 

“Virtual Glass Blowing: Pittsburgh Glass Center”

Producer/UIUX Designer: Ariel He

Co-Producer/Experience Designer: Aldora Wang

Lead Artist: Laura Yang

Programmer: Kristin Wu

Programmer: Jialu Sun

 

 

This project was made possible with support from FRFF Grant #2024-016