Immersive Makers Workshop Series with Tom Pearson

In this four week, four part series, we will dive deep into the tools and methodologies used by Tom Pearson and Third Rail Projects to create meaningful immersive theatrical experiences. We will look at the art of devising and directing from the audience perspective, mapping through associations, writing and crafting scenarios for immersive theater, and creative practices that support collaboration. Likewise, we will explore sensory design and world-building, along with site observation and exploration which leads to rich environmental design. We will discuss concepts and applications of time and time-keeping, character development and functionality, frameworks like ritual, tasks, games, and ceremony that support immersive work, and overall structural and audience-model considerations. Finally, we will look at examples of how projects might come to fruition, from inception, through iterative development, and finally to performance, with considerations as well for longer runs and after-care. This workshop series proposes a methodology developed through Tom’s work with the Global Performance Studio for cultural listening and learning, making spaces for us to create shared experiences—so that we may dialogue around a topic from embodied perspectives of analysis and care. Several of Tom’s collaborative works will serve as references, including recent works like Yours To Lose, UN-[TITLED], and This Between Shadow. Other works through the Global Performance Studio as well as techniques derived from site-specific and immersive projects including Ikaros, Then She Fell, and The Grand Paradise, and others will be discussed. February 18, 25, March 4, 11, 2026 NOTE: This is a four-part series that will build cumulatively and participants will sign-up for the full series (all four dates) to participate. We cannot accommodate drop-ins for this class. To ensure an atmosphere conducive to sharing and collaboration, these sessions are not recorded. However, key takeaways and segments of in-class exercises will be distributed as PDFs, notes, or links after the sessions.