Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
The St James Theatre
About this location
Key stats
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Venue type: Theatre
Location size: 1,500 seating capacity
Equipment installed: Ampetronic system
Installation: DIY installation
The St James Theatre, managed by Venues Wellington, part of WellingtonNZ, sits at the heart of New Zealand’s capital arts scene. WellingtonNZ, the region’s economic development agency, is dedicated to creating a thriving region where businesses grow, people engage in diverse cultural experiences, and collaboration flourishes across industries and communities, and the St James Theatre plays a central role in delivering cultural and economic value through performances and events.
The problem statement
Before deploying Auracast™ broadcast audio, Venues Wellington faced persistent challenges with its existing assistive listening technology. Guest feedback indicated that the T-Coil system provided inconsistent coverage and limited usefulness, causing frustration for patrons relying on audio accessibility support.
Operationally, front-of-house teams encountered frequent issues, including dropped connections, unsuccessful pairing with house microphones, and interference arising during theatrical productions. These disruptions not only impacted guest satisfaction but also created operational inefficiencies as staff worked to troubleshoot unreliable equipment during live events.
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
The Venues Wellington team first encountered Auracast™ broadcast audio through a traveling roadshow that showcased emerging audio solutions. Impressed by its simplicity, versatility, and forward-looking capabilities, particularly the ability for guests to pair audio directly to personal devices, Venues Wellington identified it as an ideal replacement for their aging T-Coil infrastructure. After evaluating available options, they selected a solution from Ampetronic, known for its quality and innovation within assistive audio systems.
The deployment itself was smooth and uneventful. According to the team, guest feedback following the installation praised it as the clearest sign of success. The system quietly and reliably integrated into everyday theatre operations without disruption, providing a stable and modernized audio experience.
Benefits
While Venues Wellington has not yet collected formal metrics since the transition, the system’s performance is evident in the uninterrupted quality of the guest experience. For an assistive listening system, this consistent reliability suggests that guests are enjoying clearer, more dependable audio that effectively addresses previous technical challenges.
The staff also benefited from the deployment; by eliminating frequent troubleshooting tasks, front-of-house teams can focus fully on delivering exceptional guest experiences rather than managing technical setbacks. Additionally, the futureproof nature of Auracast™ broadcast audio, especially its compatibility with personal devices, positions the venue to meet evolving accessibility expectations and technology standards.
A look ahead
With an Auracast™ system now in place, the St James Theatre is better positioned to serve diverse audiences and deliver seamless, inclusive experiences. As technology and accessibility needs continue to evolve, WellingtonNZ’s commitment to innovation ensures the region remains vibrant, engaging, and welcoming for all.
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