Blog
Histories, guides and background from the Antenna Theater archive
Antenna Theater Journal
Four decades of audio-driven, walk-through and site-specific theater, told through the productions, the places and the ideas behind them. New pieces are added here as they are published.
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The History of the Magic Lantern, From Huygens to the Phantasmagoria
The history of the magic lantern: who invented it, the travelling showmen, the phantasmagoria ghost show, Victorian Polytechnic spectacles and life after 1895.
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The History of the Living Theatre: Julian Beck, Judith Malina and Paradise Now
The history of the Living Theatre: Julian Beck and Judith Malina’s company from a 1947 living room to The Brig, exile in Europe and Paradise Now in 1968.
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The History of the Exploratorium, From the Palace of Fine Arts to Pier 15
The history of the Exploratorium: Frank Oppenheimer’s hands-on museum, its quiet 1969 opening at the Palace of Fine Arts, the Tactile Dome and Pier 15.
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The History of the Audium, San Francisco’s Theatre of Sound
The history of the Audium in San Francisco: Stan Shaff and Doug McEachern’s sound-sculptured space, from 1960 home concerts to 176 speakers on Bush Street.
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The History of Ghost Tours: From York’s First Ghost Walk to Today
The history of ghost tours: the ghost walk of York in 1973, Richard Crowe’s Chicago tours, Edinburgh’s Mercat Tours and what historians say ghost walks do.
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The History of El Teatro Campesino, from Delano to San Juan Bautista
The history of El Teatro Campesino: Luis Valdez’s actos on the 1965 Delano picket lines, the moves to Del Rey, Fresno and San Juan Bautista, and Zoot Suit.
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The History of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, from 1959 to Today
The history of the San Francisco Mime Troupe: R.G. Davis’s silent start, the parks, the 1965 arrest, Joan Holden’s plays, the 1987 Tony and free shows today.
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The History of the Cassette Tape, from Philips to the Mixtape and Back
The history of the cassette tape: Lou Ottens and Philips in 1963, the free licence, Dolby, mixtapes and home taping, the CD, and the small revival.
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The History of Stereo Sound, from Paired Receivers to the Personal Stereo
The history of stereo sound: Ader’s 1881 receivers, Blumlein’s 1931 patent, Bell Labs in 1933, Fantasound, the first stereo LP, FM stereo, quad and Dolby.
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The History of Sleep No More: Punchdrunk’s Macbeth in Five Cities
The history of Sleep No More, from a London school in 2003 to Boston, the McKittrick Hotel, Shanghai’s 2026 closing and Seoul, with a London prelude.
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The History of the Silent Disco, from a 1920 Radio Dance to Festival Headphones
The history of silent disco: the 1920 radiophone dance, the Flaming Lips’ headphone concerts, Glastonbury 2005, cathedral discos and who invented it.
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The History of Mirror Mazes, from Berlin Patents to Pier 39
The history of mirror mazes: Castan’s 1888 patents, Prague and Lucerne’s exhibition mazes, San Francisco’s Merrie Way, Pier 39 and the Stuyvesant myth.