A weekly feature pointing you towards the current experiences that have people talking.
For people who aren’t afraid of committing to a long distance relationship...
<<dead.play>> and <<play.dead>> [REMOTE]
Immersive faeries Keight Leighn and Elisabeth Faye Stranathan reunite across time and space for two separately ticketed remote events: a revival of their hit 2019 extreme horror roleplay and a continuation, nay, escalation, of that original narrative. In <<dead.play>> you find yourself at the center of a psychological thriller, ensnared in a web of your own making at the mercy of the scorned “other woman” who has kidnapped your wife in retaliation for your ending the affair. Submit to her twisted games and you might just save a life. <<play.dead>> serves as a second chapter in the saga with an entirely new story that promises to once again blur the lines between reality and fantasy with all of the intimately captivating, nakedly introspective, blood-soaked mania you can handle... and then some.
Why we think you’ll love it: Keight and Elisabeth were perfecting this kind of soul-baring teleconference long before the pandemic made it necessary. Check out Noah Nelson’s interview with the creators during the original run here.
For people who want to practice voting before the upcoming Primary...
Los Angeles Immersive Invitational [LOS ANGELES]
Presented by After Hour Theatre Company for one night only (Sunday May 15th), this immersive bakeoff gives participating groups and solo artists a secret prompt, a corner of the Shakespeare Center, and 48 hours to devise an entirely new 15-20 minute immersive theatre piece from the ground up. After the relatively humble first iteration in 2019, this year’s event boasts more playing space, more teams, and a jury panel of industry leaders eager to see what the best and brightest of LA Immersive can do. Featuring an eclectic who’s who of local legends including members of E3W, Speakeasy Society, Rogue Artists Ensemble, and Spy Brunch among many others, one ticket entitles you to see all of what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting nights of the immersive year.
Why we think you’ll love it: The 2019 Invitational saw the inception of pieces that went on to have full standalone productions from their creators. Come see the immersive classics of tomorrow all under one roof!
For people who transfer their Blockbuster card to every new wallet...
Save the Video Store [MARIETTA, GEORGIA]**
Into the Film, an originally LA-based company striking out across the country, takes their abiding preoccupation with cinema to the next level with this nostalgic, fully interactive night of play that centers around that much mourned institution of a bygone golden age: your local video store. A self described mix of intimate theatre and escape room with a decidedly irreverent 90’s flair suggests a night of tongue-in-cheek fun where attendees will have the chance to lace up their Doc Martens, roll up their flannel sleeves, and tackle this timeless adventure with this sage advice: Be kind. Rewind.
Why we think you’ll love it: With their 2017 adaptation of Phantom of the Opera, Into the Film put a premium on audience agency and engagement, ensuring guests felt empowered to act dynamically as citizens of the world they created. If they apply that same level of art direction, gamesmanship, and performer interactions to every Millennial’s favorite decade, it promises to be one radical night.
For people who think choice should never be an illusion...
Hollywood Fringe Festival [LOS ANGELES]
The Hollywood Fringe returns with a flurry of original works of all genres and styles for you to explore, including its own designated category for immersive theatre and games, two of which, playing in classic immersive venues, we already suspect will be right up our alley.
Signals- A sci-fi sandbox colonizing two rooms of the Thymele Arts building where participants complete various tasks from wayward inhabitants of a far-flung research station in crisis, their choices unlocking a series of branching paths that will lead to any number of possible endings.
Not Another Midsummer- An audience converges on The Three Clubs to mix with a scrappy acting troupe hurtling towards disaster for their impending production of one of Shakespeare’s finest. As the interior lives of the thespians are teased out through lubricated conversation, it may be up to the audience to lend a hand and prevent this classic comedy from becoming a tragedy of epic proportions.
Why we think you’ll love them: Both shows boast an impressive compliment of Fringe and Immersive veterans, guaranteed to put even the gamest participants through their paces.
For people willing to brave the anxiety that comes from actually talking on the phone...
I Cut Myself Shaving and it Bled So Much [REMOTE]
Candlehouse Collective, the undisputed masters of phone-based Immersive, present the second experience to emerge from their FireStarter Initiative incubator, a side shingle designed to give opportunity and resources to new voices within the art form. While the premise for this experience remains tantalizingly vague, the company’s track record speaks for itself. Expect a heavily interactive, compellingly confessional call full of twists and revelations building towards to one universal truth: there is nothing quite as profound as the connection you can make with a stranger in crisis on the other end of the line.
NOTE: While the first run of tickets is currently sold out, signing up for the waitlist in the event of cancellations or possible extension is highly encouraged.
Why we think you’ll love it: With recent experiences including their festival juggernaut "Claws" and the Outstanding Achievement in Individual Performance for No Proscenium’s Audience Awards 2020 “Each and Every,” just imagine who Candlehouse wants to connect us with this time.
**This listing was suggested by community member Noah Nelson. Thanks, Noah!
Have an upcoming/ongoing immersive experience that has you buzzing? Point it out to us through pitches@noproscenium.com with the subject line "Trailheads" and we might include it in the next issue!