MIAMI, FL — In a city built on culture, creativity, and world-class performance, DAS Audio is proud to celebrate its partnership with Miami-based audio engineer Abraham Oleksnianski, whose recent work at the Olympia Theater has elevated one of the city’s most beloved landmarks into a new era of sound.
Opened in 1926, the Olympia Theater is one of Miami’s enduring cultural landmarks. Designed by architect John Eberson, the venue is known for its Moorish architecture, star-filled ceiling, and exceptional acoustics, and has hosted legendary performers from Elvis Presley to B.B. King. Now a National Register of Historic Places site managed by the City of Miami, the Olympia continues to carry its artistic legacy into a new era of performance.
The venue hosted its first major event this season: a Netflix comedy special starring Miami comedian and current Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernandez in his stand-up debut, American Boy. For Abraham, the moment held both professional significance and personal meaning. The Olympia Theater is where he once walked across the stage for his own high school graduation.
“This project meant the world to me,” Abe shared. “It’s a 100-year-old building with layers of history, and to walk back in, this time responsible for the sound of a Netflix special, was surreal. DAS Audio made it possible to take a challenging space and turn it into something truly remarkable.”
When Abe first scouted the theater for the Netflix production team, he expected the aging venue and outdated PA system he remembered. Instead, he discovered a newly installed DAS Audio Event Series system, implemented by another integrator just months prior. While the gear selection impressed him, coverage issues quickly came to light, particularly in the upper balcony. With a sold-out, six-show run (1,500 guests per show) fast approaching, Abe immediately called DAS Audio. Together, they began reconfiguring the system to bring the entire room into focus.
Working under the weight constraints of a century-old building, Abe and DAS Audio redesigned the layout to maximize coverage, clarity, and structural safety. The final configuration included: two EVENT-115A subs flown per side, 12 EVENT-26A deployed per side two EVENT-118A subs on the ground, four ARTEC-526A front fills, ARA-M210 stage monitors, and strategic reorientation of the main PA to improve vertical coverage.
DAS Audio worked closely with Oleksnianski throughout the project, underscoring the company’s belief in supporting the creative community and helping preserve the character of historic venues through thoughtful sound design. For DAS, projects like the Olympia Theater represent more than a technical challenge, they are opportunities to give new life to spaces that have shaped generations of performance.
“DAS stepped in without hesitation,” Abe said. “They were there for every part of the process: design, support, tuning. Their willingness to roll up their sleeves and help solve the problem is why they’re always my first call.”
Once the redesigned system was up, its performance exceeded expectations. Abe noted the impressive output relative to the EVENT Series’ compact form factor: “The clarity was unbelievable. No distortion, no artifacts, just clean, powerful sound. It felt like the boxes were performing beyond what should be physically possible.”
Scotty Haulter, Production Manager for Outback Presents, was “floored” by the before-and-after difference. The audio became the least of his concerns, something every FOH engineer hopes for during a high-pressure shoot. Even Netflix’s recording and camera teams, led by Executive Producer Matthew Vaughan, noted how seamlessly the house PA blended with their capture workflows.
Abe’s relationship with DAS Audio has been built over years of collaboration, across immersive theater projects, touring work, venue installations, and more. From documentaries to NHL classics to Shark Week productions, his resume is wide-ranging. But projects like the Olympia Theater renovation have helped amplify his work, and name, at a pivotal moment in his career.
“Everything I’ve ever done with DAS Audio has helped me level up,” Abe said. “This project put my work in front of new eyes, and it set a benchmark for what’s possible in challenging spaces.”
For DAS Audio, the feeling is mutual. “Abe represents what this industry is all about: craft, curiosity, and a commitment to doing the job right,” said Carlos Henao, Senior Sales Engineer for DAS Audio. “We’re proud to support his vision and to help bring new life to an iconic Miami venue.”
With more projects across South Florida, national tours, and international installs already on his schedule, Abe plans to continue turning to DAS Audio as a trusted partner.
About DAS Audio
DAS Audio is a global leader in professional sound systems, known for delivering innovative, high-performance audio solutions for a variety of applications, including houses of worship, live events, broadcast, and fixed installations. With a focus on engineering excellence and a people-first approach, DAS Audio is trusted worldwide to deliver extraordinary sound experiences.
To learn more about DAS Audio’s professional sound systems, visit www.dasaudio.com.
More News
.avif)
Support USITT
For many 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, USITT included, donations are a lifeline. We are able to continue to expand our online offerings to our Members and to our industry thanks to Membership dollars and the generosity of our donors.