A weekly feature pointing you towards the current experiences that have people talking.
For people who opened their closet this morning and went “Ugh…"
Try This On For Me [NEW YORK CITY]**
The New York branch of the Neo Futurists presents their most classically immersive piece to date. Multihyphenate artist Lee LeBreton serves as your philosophical fashion stylist as they lead participants through a surreal flea market looking for the elusive perfect fit while exploring the complexities of race, identity, and gender expression on a self-described "journey through the absurdity, angst, and euphoria of trying to dress ourselves." And unlike Paris Fashion Week, you actually get to keep the clothes.
Why we think you’ll love it: The spontaneous, open-hearted ethos this Drama Desk-nominated company applies to each new work feels perfectly suited to the Immersive space.
For people who always perked up when your history teacher said you were going on a field trip...
Island City Waterways: Uprooted [ALAMEDA, CA]**
Rhythmix Cultural Works in partnership with the City of Alameda brings local history to life with the help of over thirty actors, musicians, and dancers in an engaging outdoor walking experience. This free event pays homage to the stories of brave Alamedans from decades past as they faced the sometimes inspiring, sometimes grim realities of World War II; from the thrilling heights of the burgeoning aviation industry and its part in winning the war, to the injustice and personal cruelty many families faced in Internment Camps, all honoring the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit.
Why we think you’ll love it: Now in its third year, this annual event is a celebration not only of the culture and history of the city’s past, but of the vibrant artistic voices in Alameda today.
For people who watched all of the Conjuring movies and said “Oh, I can do that…"
The Ministry of Peculiarities: Hope End [AZUSA, CA]
Offering a level of immersion and interactivity at every stage of the experience unheard of in the escape room space, the Ministry has been delighting would-be investigators of its first game, Hope End, with its engaging cast of live performers, enthralling set design, cleverly team-oriented puzzles, and an attention to world-building detail that is second to none (down to the in-character responses to their many 5-Star reviews on Yelp). With such a richly realized world and Hope End admittedly only one of many cases the Ministry has in its back files, one suspects additional experiences to materialize before too long.
Why we think you’ll love it: Fresh off their triumphant performance in this past weekend’s Los Angeles Immersive Invitational where they were named the Best Overall: Fan Favorite, the Ministry is dedicated to blurring the lines between escape room and immersive experience in a way that should make fans of either incredibly excited.
For people who are always hungry for S’MORE Immersive…
!!!!!!!!!!CAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!! [LOS ANGELES]
LA Immersive mainstay Annie Lesser and her actor/poet collaborator Becca Khalil premier their interactive, largely improvised comedy show at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival. The conceit is delightfully simple: Lesser and Khalil play two irresponsible camp counselors waking up the bunk-dwellers in their charge after lights out to tell them wild, improvised campfire stories inspired by suggestions from the audience. While entered into the "Comedy" category and not “Immersive and Games,” there is plenty of interactivity baked into the premise, plus the promise of a certain classic camp snack being sold in the lobby!
Why we think you’ll love it: Boasting past Fringe works as eclectic as the seminal immersive horror one-on-one (A)partment 8 and the wistfully reflective Death and Coffee, Annie Lesser is always our first choice to tell us a story.
Tickets for !!!!!!!!!!CAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!
For people who hope their grandchildren can see real trees someday...
A Forest for the Trees [LOS ANGELES]
Visionary artist Glenn Kaino, in partnership with The Atlantic and Superblue, debuts a stunning, multi-sensory immersive art show exploring humanity’s responsibility for and impact on the natural world. Applying theatrical disciplines and technologies including magic, animatronics, lighting, music, and classic immersive storytelling all at the foot of some truly awe-inspiring structures, this toweringly powerful exhibit is inspired by over a century of The Atlantic serving as a platform for conservationism, the reverence we should all exhibit for the Native land on which we stand, and the duty we owe to one another, future generations, and the trees themselves to ensure the health and longevity of our shared home.
Why we think you’ll love it: Check out this week's Podcast for an interview with artist Glenn Kaino and Noah Nelson's reflections on his experience going through the installation.
**These listings were suggested by community members Kathryn Yu and Corinna Green (respectively). Thanks, Kathryn! Thanks Corinna!
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!