By The Travelling Airsticks Laboratory  

Drama | Science | Music

You’re an Instrument is an engaging performance for primary years, featuring two scientists who take students on a wild interactive ride where every movement, thought and emotion becomes music. Contrasting ancient acoustic sounds with the very latest electronic technological breakthroughs, this is a scary, fun, and magical performance where the audience shapes the story, shakes their bodies, and makes music together! 

Framed as a ‘workshop gone rogue’ this crazy quirky experience is an ideal intro to cutting-edge interactive music/sound design practices, theatre, science, science-fiction and the power of sound-art and story-telling. 

The show begins under the guise of a workshop on all sorts of music technology. Scientists Alon and Ciaran demonstrate and perform with different types of instrument technology from old to new, when Ciaran accidentally reveals a new experiment that turns people into instruments! 

After some debate, it’s agreed that the experiment will be tested on an adult in the audience (if they sign a waiver). Erick, a person in the audience, tests the new experiment, but it is more powerful than expected: it can vocalise thoughts, create horrifying sounds, and transport you to different realms!  

With the audiences help, Erick learns to transport himself to any musical world imaginable, creating new sounds every time he moves! He embarks on a sonic adventure, visiting places he dreams up with the audience. Erick realises what he actually desires is to play with others. His wish comes true as anything Erick touches, from tissue boxes to stuffed toys, turns into an instrument! Erick forms a band with the audience, they share his power to think up sounds and play together! 

You’re an Instrument was inspired by the incredible technology of the ‘AirSticks’: bluetooth-enabled small cordless objects (attached to a body-part or object) that allows users to move freely and generate sounds and music through surround sound speakers.  The performance uses AirSticks technology to allow the performers and students to translate their bodily movements to music. 

The Travelling Airsticks Laboratory are professional performers and real-life music technology researchers. Alon and Ciaran explain they are researchers from Monash University’s SensiLab (actually true), who also perform and compose music and create new instruments (also true!). You’re an Instrument is a fun and inclusive performance perfect for primary school ages & special needs audiences (with their educators, families and community). 

Please note: Councils, Venues and Community Presenters are welcome to book through the Creative Learning Program. Community Presenter fee $1900.00 + GST. Contact the team at [email protected] to express your interest. 

Watch ‘You’re an Instrument’ on Sunrise: