NEW YORK, NY — An Off-Broadway production in New York City is demonstrating how Auracast broadcast audio technology can be integrated into live theater, providing both an immersive listening experience and greater accessibility for audience members with hearing loss.
The production, Love Me, is written and performed by Deaf comedian and former Saturday Night Live writer Drew Michael. Running through November 22 at SoHo Playhouse, the show uses the Auri assistive listening system from Listen Technologies and Ampetronic to deliver audio directly to audience members through headphones or compatible hearing devices.
According to the companies, Love Me is the first theatrical production in the United States to use Auracast as its primary audio delivery system, rather than solely as an assistive listening option.
How Auracast Powers the Performance
Love Me follows Michael’s exploration of relationships and his lifelong search for love, presented through five chapters and five relationships. The performance uses recorded audio and cinematic sound design to bring audiences into the comedian’s internal thoughts, anxieties, and observations.
At each performance, audience members receive headphones connected to small Auri receivers. The receivers wirelessly receive audio from an Auracast transmitter installed in the theater, allowing the audience to hear Michael’s internal dialogue as part of the production.
For attendees with Auracast-compatible hearing aids or cochlear implants, the same audio can be streamed directly to their hearing devices without requiring the theater’s headphones or receivers.
Built on Bluetooth LE Audio technology, Auracast enables a single transmitter to broadcast audio to multiple compatible receiving devices. The technology is increasingly being introduced in public venues, including theaters, conference facilities, transportation hubs, and other locations where assistive listening is needed.
Michael also uses Auracast during the performance. His Auracast-enabled hearing aids receive a separate broadcast feed that functions as an in-ear monitoring system, helping him remain synchronized with the prerecorded audio used throughout the show.
The production’s sound design was developed by Tony Award-nominated sound designer Daniel Kluger.
Michael described the decision to use Auracast as part of the show’s overall creative approach rather than simply an accommodation for audience members with hearing loss.
“I never liked the word access; I prefer the word integration. In ‘Love Me,’ the whole audience wears headphones. We researched Auracast as an access method for hearing aid and cochlear implant users who might want to connect directly. Then it struck me: what if the entire show ran on Auracast? That was an exciting energy to follow, and we’re so grateful it led us to this place. Between Auracast and our dynamic captions, this is a fully integrated system which allows for multiple ways for audience members to be immersed in this show.”
Michael further explains the role of Auracast in the production in a video shared on Instagram.
Accessibility Built Into the Production
In addition to its wireless audio system, Love Me incorporates captioning throughout the performance. Deaf West Theatre, one of the show’s producers, helped shape the production’s accessibility approach.
Audience members who use captions can follow the performance on provided iPads displaying live captions. The captions are designed to complement the show’s sound and visual presentation, including color coding that corresponds with elements of the audio experience.
Captioning is available at every performance, from any seat, at no additional cost. Attendees can request a captioning device from the box office or an usher.
According to the production team, the goal was to incorporate accessibility into the design of the performance from the beginning, rather than offering separate experiences for audiences with and without hearing loss.
The approach also illustrates a potentially important application of Auracast technology in performing arts venues: providing a shared audio experience while allowing individuals with compatible hearing technology to receive sound directly through their own devices.
The importance of designing assistive listening around the complete audience experience was also highlighted in a recent discussion of the Auracast Theatre Playbook developed by GN Hearing and RNID. The initiative provides guidance for theaters on implementing Auracast effectively, addressing issues such as reliable signal coverage, appropriate audio mixing, staff awareness, and involving people with hearing loss in evaluating installations.
A Different Approach to Assistive Listening in Theaters
The Auri system was developed by Listen Technologies and Ampetronic as an Auracast-based assistive listening solution for public venues. It includes transmitters and dedicated receivers, allowing facilities to serve both visitors with compatible personal hearing devices and those who need venue-provided equipment.
According to the manufacturers, the receivers provide low-latency audio and more than 20 hours of operation per charge. The transmitters support two broadcast channels, allowing venues to distribute different audio feeds when needed.
For Love Me, the production team worked with Listen Technologies and manufacturer representative firm SKMac to implement the system. SKMac was recently appointed to represent Listen Technologies and Ampetronic across the Mid-Atlantic United States and New York Metro market, providing regional sales and technical support for the companies’ assistive listening solutions. Headphones for the production were provided by Austrian Audio.
Tracee Bracken, content marketing strategist at Ampetronic | Listen Technologies, said the production demonstrates how Auracast can support both accessibility and the creative use of sound in live entertainment.
“’Love Me’ is the first show in the U.S. to run on Auracast as its primary sound system, and we’re proud to have Auri play a role in helping Drew bring his creative vision to life,” said Bracken. “Audio is an important part of the theater experience. ‘Love Me’ illustrates that so well while demonstrating the power of Auracast assistive listening. With Auracast, audiences can immerse themselves in the performance and hear every word.”
Although Auracast assistive listening systems have already been installed in theaters and performing arts centers, this production represents a different use of the technology by making broadcast audio central to the theatrical experience itself.
Love Me is presented as part of the 2026 New York Comedy Festival and is directed by Peabody Award winner Prashanth Venkataramanujam. The limited engagement runs through November 22, 2026, at SoHo Playhouse in New York City. Additional information is available at LoveMeShow.com.
About Drew Michael
Drew Michael is a New York-based comedian, writer, and performer who previously wrote for Saturday Night Live, earning an Emmy Award nomination. He has released two HBO comedy specials, Drew Michael and Red Blue Green, both of which received Writers Guild Award nominations. His work frequently explores unconventional approaches to comedy, storytelling, and performance.
About Ampetronic | Listen Technologies
Listen Technologies and Ampetronic, part of the Allvida family of companies, develop assistive listening and communication technologies for public and commercial environments. Their product offerings include hearing loop systems, Auracast-based solutions such as Auri, ListenWIFI, and ListenTALK. The companies serve theaters, houses of worship, educational institutions, transportation facilities, and corporate venues. Together, they bring more than 65 years of combined experience in assistive listening technology. For more information, visit www.listentech.com and www.ampetronic.com.
Source: Ampetronic | Listen Tech; Image credits: Curtis Brown, Austin Ruffer, Drew Michael
