Tilman Robinson  


THE QUIETER YOU BECOME
Presenter Package


Submerged in a forest of speakers, audiences are invited to enter an intimate sonic environment where the act of listening becomes both shared and estranged. The Quieter You Become is an electro-acoustic sound performance that unfolds through first, second, and third-person perspectives of auditory perception – immersing listeners in the psychological terrain of how others hear.

Developed in consultation with musicians experiencing symptoms of hearing conditions, this work encourages deep, embodied listening. Can we truly trust our own senses? What is the difference between hearing and listening? And how might hearing through another’s ears attune us more acutely to the world around us?

Blending acoustic and electronic sound with spatialised audio and sculptural design, The Quieter You Become is a contemplative and humanistic listening experience – expanding the boundaries of perception and empathy.


Creative Team


Tilman Robinson: lead artist/composer/sound designer & performer
Bob Jarvis: audio systems design
DUAL FLOW: lighting design/fabrication
Rob Larsen: speaker design/fabrication
Roslyn Oades: dramaturg
Siobhan McGinnity: audiologist, hearing & access consultant
Michaela Coventry (Sage Arts): producer

A biography for Tilman Robinson can be accessed here.


Key Information


Running time: 65mins (no interval) - can be performed 2x per day

Audience capacity: Capacity is limited only by number of headphones available for individuals and size of venue. Previous seasons have been capped at 100ppl per performance.

Venue Requirements: The Quieter You Become has been developed to be site responsive. It can be adapted for a variety of spaces from theatrical to non-conventional performances spaces such as warehouses (NB: a site-specific option may require additional install time). Previous seasons have taken place in larger spaces (24m x 10m x 6m). The space must be able to achieve a full blackout. Ideally, the audience woul dbe able to be comfortably seated on the ground amongst the speakers.

Latecomers: Latecomers are admitted at a suitable point roughly 20mins into the work.

Content warnings: The Quieter You Become contains loud & uncomfortable sound, low-lighting, haze, and mild audience interaction.

Accessibility: The Quieter You Become is a detailed listening experience and may be of particular interest to audiences with low-vision. Please note, it may be less suitable for people who are hard of hearing. A collaboration with Newmarket Collective is possible to supply haptic vests for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Past performances, media & accolades


Premiere Season:
The Substation, Melbourne 15-18 October 2025
Presented as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival “Pulse” program

“Are the strong winds that rattle the Substation walls part of it? Is the sound of a passing train? I feel them all just a bit more closely. An hour in Robinson's room temporarily recalibrates my senses, makes me more conscious of my surroundings. You can't ask more from an artwork.” 
★★★★★ Will Cox - The Age, Melbourne

Accolades
Winner: Melbourne Fringe Festival Award for Oustanding Production Design



Trailer and Documentaion


Trailer (TBC)

Full documentation



Technical Requirements


The Quieter You Become can be adapted to a variety of locations. As such, the technical requirements in this document are indicative. Final tech specs will be provided once venue details are confirmed. We are committed to working with you to establish the most viable delivery plan for your context, while ensuring the integrity of the work is maintained.

Touring Party: The Quieter You Become travels with a touring party of 3.
1x performer
1x lighting / sound technician
1x producer / production assistant / SM

Freight: The Quieter You Become has been designed to tour and all of the infrastructure packs down into 6x flight ready, large cases. Ideally the show would be road-freighted ahead of presentation. Excess baggage or air freight options may be available to international presenters OR key infrastructure (such as the 32 custom speakers) could be 3D printed and assembled on location (at presenter’s expense).

A full technical document can be accessed here.

An indicative floorplan (from the Substation season) is available here.

For more information please contact:
Michaela Coventry (Sage Arts Australia)
Tilman Robinson

Thanks

Documentation and hero images by Darren Gill and Thomas McCammon respectively.
Video documentation by NON Studio.
Development and presentation of The Quieter You Become has been graciously assisted by the Australian and Victorian Governments by Creative Australia & Creative Victoria, their respective arts funding and advisory bodies. It has also been supported in its presentation and premiere season by The Substation, Melbourne Fringe Festival, APRA, Speak Percussion and Next Wave.