Everything Immersive > No Proscenium > Trailheads (6/22/22)
Trailheads (6/22/22)
by Chris Wollman
A weekly feature pointing you towards the current experiences that have people talking.
For people who have that one closet they keep saying they’ll organize eventually...
The Nest [LOS ANGELES)
Everything, however universally beloved or intensely felt in the moment, must eventually pass into memory, living on only in the cherished artifacts and stories they leave behind. All things end, even The Nest, for which Scout Expedition Co. has released one final batch of tickets leading up to its closing performance on August 13th. Armed with flashlight and tape recorder, embark on a contemplative investigation into one woman’s past as you explore the winding, overstocked shelves of Josie's storage unit that serves as a final resting place for her many hopes, traumas, chances taken, opportunities missed, anxieties, and loves. With utterly absorbing set design that subtly unspools the nuanced story every bit as much as the many confessional cassette tapes that serve to document the most pivotal moments of Josie’s life in her own words, this gentle, narrative-driven escape room for one or two participants will guide you on an unforgettable journey as heartbreaking as it is sublime.
Why we think you’ll love it: After six years, countless reviews and awards, one community-rallying Kickstarter, a pandemic navigated, and a whole lot of batteries, if you somehow haven’t taken the chance to see this all-timer yet, or just want to pay your respects to Josie and the Nest for a life on their own terms well lived, now’s the time.
For people in group texts who communicate exclusively through GIFs...
.DOCS [REMOTE]
The self-described R&D offshoot of Maryland-based performing arts collective Flying V experiments with the narrative possibilities of a couple of platforms usually known for their utility as they present a gripping community-based story celebrating the joys of fandom and the darker implications of a powerful few making decisions that can affect those left in the dark. You have been invited to join the Kaiju Club, a plucky band of geeks in the process of migrating their giant monster movie club from Facebook onto their own Discord server. What begins as a light-hearted meme battle between Team Godzilla and Team Mothra quickly escalates into a mysterious emergency only the group can puzzle out, leading to the grim truth that not all monsters are thirty stories tall.
Why we think you’ll love it: A large number of participants per show allows for a crackling, frenetic texting energy that came with the best ARGs of yesteryear, encouraging all involved to apply their creativity, sense of humor, analytical minds, and ethical values to the proceedings.
For people.
Those Before Us [GERMANTOWN, MARYLAND]
The Button Farm Living History Center has long practiced the ethos of facilitating the immersion of its visitors to better appreciate the gravity of its 19th Century plantation setting, including teaching visitors to weave garments, cultivate crops, and otherwise contribute to the operations of the farm as they learn of the realities of pre-industrial farming alongside frank discussions of the horrors of slavery. Now, for one day only, they present a free guided audio experience that features both live and pre-recorded performers, music, and movement to tell the story of the harrowing search for freedom along the Underground Railroad. Those who attend will also be invited to participate in a reflective workshop conducted by The Inheritance Project, giving audiences the space to consider their own personal history as it relates to the events depicted.
Why we think you’ll love it: The Button Farm has shown a consistent dedication to being more than a museum, but rather a safe place for people to viscerally engage and become immersed in this shameful era of American history in order to facilitate real learning. This new show seems to be an even more direct and intriguing step towards immersive theatre as a tool for education and social justice.
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!