STO.ER is an interdisciplinary dance performance by choreographer Wendy Grin, created for children aged 10–14, which blends theater, movement, and visual art to explore themes of curiosity, technical problem-solving, and hands-on discovery. Produced by Plan-D, an arts collective fostering boundary-pushing work for young audiences, the production features dual-screen visuals by Britt Bekers and uses a dialogue-free narrative to guide audiences through contrasting approaches to challenges—structured logic versus experimental creativity.

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​As the sound designer and technical coordinator, my goal was to transform audio into the production’s narrative voice. This involved curating and remixing pre-approved music selections alongside original compositions, aligning rhythm and tone with the choreography’s emotional beats. To mirror the duality of problem-solving themes, I engineered a 4-speaker spatial audio system: front channels delivered melodic motifs and rhythmic pulses representing structured thinking, while rear speakers emitted synchronized, screen-specific sound effects (whirring gears, digital glitches) tied to Britt Bekers’ visuals, reflecting playful experimentation.

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A key focus was designing dynamic contrasts. Gentle ambient textures underscored moments of discovery, while industrial rhythms and metallic tones heightened tension during technical challenges. Critical sequences, like the safe-opening scene, required millisecond precision to sync effects with dancers’ movements. These soundscapes emphasized themes of AI and tactile exploration, grounding abstract concepts in tangible auditory moments.

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As technical coordinator, I oversaw speaker placement, system calibration, and real-time troubleshooting across 11 Netherlands venues (Zwolle, Amsterdam, Heilig, Hoorn, Grootebroek). Pre-show checks ensured seamless synchronization between audio and visuals, particularly for screen-anchored effects. The spatial design demanded adaptability to diverse acoustics, maintaining immersive consistency throughout the tour.

The result was 100% technically flawless performances, with audiences praising the audio’s ability to clarify complex themes. Parents noted how the interplay of sound and movement inspired children to engage with problem-solving as a creative act. By merging precision and imagination, STO.ER demonstrated how spatial sound can educate and empower young minds, turning invisible audio into a catalyst for curiosity.