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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Joseph Discher <joedischer@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 6, 2024 2:33 PM<br><b>To:</b> dandrews920@comcast.net<br><b>Cc:</b> patnaude.sarah@aidb.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Referred by Sarah Patnaude, Human Services Division, NFB<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Mr. Andrews,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking with the wonderful Sarah Patnaude in the Human Services Division about a project that would provide an immersive and exciting experience for the blind and visually impaired. She referred me to you in hopes that this work could be shared with as many as possible in the greater blind and visually impaired community. Info and a sample of the work provided below.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>A little background</span></u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>: <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>During the pandemic, my producing partner and I formed a non-profit company called <i>Knock at the Gate</i>. We wanted to create, provide entertainment for audiences, and opportunities for actors at that crucial time when theatres had closed. Rather than present theatre over Zoom, we decided to embrace an audio-only approach; not a podcast, audiobook or radio play, but a fully immersive theatrical audio experience that makes the listener feel like they are at the center of the action. <i>Knock at the Gate</i> has been featured on Good Day New York, NPR, and in American Theatre Magazine, Playbill Online and Broadway World.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>My producing partner and co-founder, Sean Hudock and I are passionate about accessibility, and the blind and visually impaired are at the top of the list; Our productions are very impactful and perfect for those the NFB serves. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Information below on <i>Knock at the Gate's</i> current project, and a sample of our work. I am hoping you will share this with the greater community of the blind and visually impaired and give them the opportunity to partake in this audio adventure<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Tempest: A Surround Sound Odyssey</span></u></i></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>An immersive 3D audio adaptation of Shakespeare's final masterpiece. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Streaming now <u>through March 16</u><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Running time: 99 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ticket price: $9.99<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Synopsis</span></u></b><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Prospero the usurped Duke of Milan is marooned on an enchanted island. After honing his skills as a sorcerer, he creates a storm to shipwreck his betrayers on the island as they pass by. He uses his magic to exact his revenge until he learns the greater power of forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://www.knockatthegate.com" target="_blank">https://www.knockatthegate.com</a></span></u></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> for more info and to reserve a virtual seat!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sample</span></u></b><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The first scene was featured in Playbill online, <a href="https://playbill.com/article/get-a-1st-listen-to-knock-at-the-gates-audio-version-of-the-tempest" target="_blank">here</a><b>.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>*Use headphone for full effect*<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Designed for the dark and a pair of headphones <u>this can be listened to in the comfort of your own home</u> or anywhere with an internet connection. This magical adaptation for audio features a<u> three-dimensional soundscape that makes the listener feel like they are at the center of the action</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Listeners from 25 states and 15 different countries are loving every part of it, from the visceral soundscape that surrounds the listener and sweeps them away, to the stellar cast of actors from stage, screen and film, to a clear and easy-to-understand story.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank you for your time! If you would like to speak further my number is below.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:blue'>Joe Discher </span><span style='color:blue'>he/him</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:blue'>Artistic Director </span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='color:blue'>Knock at the Gate</span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='color:blue'><a href="http://knockatthegate.com" target="_blank">knockatthegate.com</a></span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.joedischer.com" target="_blank">www.joedischer.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>201-978-7095<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>