When you walk into the Sound Mandala, you’re greeted by speakers on all sides. The lights will dim, and you’ll hear music and audio like never before. The experience will surround you with sound in motion, in a way that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
The Sound Mandala will be at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City June 10 to August 1, with three distinct shows. “Signal&Soul” is a variety show with 10-12 pieces, featuring works by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Anton Chekhov, Krizz Kaliko and more. “Indie Spotlight” features works by five indie bands. “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari,” released in 1920, is an early silent horror film that’s been given a new score to bring it to life in new ways. Click here to learn more about each show and get tickets.
Tom Mardikes, professor of sound design at the UMKC Conservatory, is the creator of the Sound Mandala. Inspired by intricately crafted sand mandalas, Mardikes wanted to apply that precision and artistry to sound. He created a system to place individual sounds of a track on different speakers and move those sounds throughout the duration of the track. Much like movies are moving images, the Sound Mandala is moving audio.
“When you listen to a recorded track, the sounds have been mixed already and you’re hearing it all come out of one console,” Mardikes said. “I wanted to know how a song would sound if it was mixed in the air, as you listen to it.”
Mardikes retires from UMKC in August 2026 after 45 years at the university as a professor of sound design. He has been working on the Sound Mandala since 2014. Graduate students in sound design at UMKC have been involved in the process, including his core Sound Mandala team of current and former students. Mardikes holds a patent for the system and foresees its use in theatres, auditoriums and even haunted houses in the future.
The Sound Mandala has progressed to 100 independent speakers. Mardikes’s team outfitted the theatre to ensure the best audio experience possible to showcase their creation. The intimate venue at Unicorn Theatre holds 40 people, ensuring that every seat is the best seat in the house.
“You can hear sounds moving around the room,” Mardikes said. “You might hear a guitar coming from in front of you, a voice behind you and a piano next to you. You’re truly immersed in the sound, it’s an entirely unique experience that’s never been possible before.”
Experience a taste of the Sound Mandala. Headphones are required for listening.