{"id":16804,"date":"2019-04-30T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T15:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/Becomeimmersed.com\/?p=16804"},"modified":"2019-12-05T11:54:08","modified_gmt":"2019-12-05T19:54:08","slug":"fringe-immersive-guide-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/becomeimmersed.com\/fringe-immersive-guide-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Hollywood Fringe 2019: Creators Set Immersive Expectations for Each Show"},"content":{"rendered":"
It’s back! That special time of year when immersive audiences are treated to a month-long deluge of new works running the gamut of every tone and style imaginable. Whether you crave emotionally intense one-on-one encounters in a private space, mystery and intrigue on the streets of Los Angeles, or a relaxed evening at the theater where the fourth wall only bends a bit, the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival<\/a> has what you’re looking for.<\/p>\n To better inform the expectations<\/strong> of potential ticket buyers and demystify some of the vaguer synopses presented on the Fringe website, Immersed reached out to the creators behind all sixteen productions that have chosen \u201cimmersive theatre\u201d as their primary classification to learn what an audience member should expect in terms of involvement, agency, intensity, and potential for physical interaction.<\/p>\n Based on their responses, we have distilled quick, straightforward answers to the questions of whether performers speak to participants, whether participants may\/must speak to performers, whether a participant’s actions\/choices can appreciably affect the experience’s outcome, what physical demands are made of the participants, and what, if any, physical contact is planned between participant and performer. In most cases, when appropriate, these answers are followed by direct quotes from the creators themselves in order to provide context and greater understanding of the way each production operates and illuminate what makes each experience unique. We have also asked each creator to explain, in their own words, what they feel makes their show classifiable as “immersive.” To help experiential seekers of all types, we have organized the productions into three sub-categories: “Solo Experiences,” “Group Immersions,” and “Traditional Theatre with Audience Participation.”<\/p>\n Below, you will also find links to each production’s Fringe page, all related social media profiles, and, in the case of some shows, unique features we wanted to highlight. We hope that this article will help to promote safety and awareness during this crowded Fringe season and guide you not only toward shows you’re already primed to enjoy, but introduce you to experiences you wouldn’t normally seek out. That’s what Fringe is all about! So get out there and support some independent and original works in what promises to be an exciting and inspiring Fringe, no matter what flavor of immersive you’re in the mood for!<\/p>\n Tickets to these and all other 2019 Hollywood Fringe shows will be on sale beginning Wednesday, May 1st at the Hollywood Fringe website<\/a>. For a look at some what the Immersed staff is looking forward to this Fringe, check out our 2019 Staff Picks and Recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Rated:<\/strong><\/span> 21+ for alcohol served as part of the show. Nothing in the way of graphic or extreme content.<\/p>\n Running time:<\/strong> <\/span>20 minutes<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> <\/span>$30<\/p>\n Congratulations! “After years of working on shows like C(ovell), Safehouse \u201977, and The Sideshow, immersive theater is in our DNA and we both gravitate toward immersive whenever we\u2019re thinking about new projects to explore. The Pod draws on influences from many art forms, including traditional theatre, film, video games, and Disney rides. One audience member at a time will be taken through an orientation and training simulation in preparation for deep-space travel. We hope to fully immerse our guests in the near-future sci-fi reality of our story and provide them with a truly transportive experience that allows them to leave their own world behind, even if it\u2019s only for twenty minutes.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n “They\u2019ll be treated as candidates for an important mission to Proxima Centauri B, the nearest known habitable exoplanet, and multiple characters will interact with them over the course of the show.”<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSince audience members are playing a key role in the story, interaction with the performers will be an important part of the show. But that doesn\u2019t mean that people need to be particularly outgoing in order to have a great experience. In fact, we will be doing our best to customize each performance around the personality and needs of the participant, so whether you\u2019re talkative or shy, we\u2019ll take care of you.<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSince audience members are taking on the role of candidates being evaluated for deep-space travel, they will be asked questions and conversed with throughout the experience, and they may have the chance to make choices during the show that lead to different outcomes.<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Walking between a few areas within a single room, sitting.<\/strong><\/p>\n Light.<\/strong><\/p>\n “There may be a limited amount of physical contact, but most of the interaction will be in the form of conversation.”<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n “Prior to the show, each audience member will be sent a link to an online questionnaire that is a key part of their \u201cevaluation\u201d and will influence what kind of experience they receive, so we are asking that everyone opt-in for email communication when purchasing tickets. Our goal is for each performance to be unique based on the needs and personality of the audience member, and this will help us greatly in achieving that!”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Social media:<\/span> Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n “That will help prepare audience members for the experience.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rated:<\/strong><\/span> 18+<\/p>\n Running time:<\/strong><\/span> 70 minutes<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> <\/span>$99<\/p>\n Provided Synopsis:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n To prepare you for our Journey: This is a tale. A STORY IS WRITTEN; IT IS SET DOWN. BUT A TALE\u2026 A TALE IS TOLD; IT IS LIVING, IT GROWS & CHANGES, IN TIME & TELLING. We will tell our tale together. WHAT YOU PUT INTO OUR TALE DETERMINES WHAT YOU GET OUT OF IT – BE IT CONTENT, ENERGY, CONNECTION, OR MORE… THE MORE COMFORTABLE WE ARE, THE EASIER OUR TALE WILL COME. Our tale will be generated from scents. THROUGH YOUR SENSE OF SMELL WE\u2019LL CREATE A WORLD, POPULATE IT WITH MAGICAL PEOPLES & BEINGS, INTERACT WITH THEM, AND FOLLOW AN ADVENTURE… In the end, a candle with a story will find its way to you. We\u2019ll begin with a few simple questions\u2026 Your Responses are not binding; Our tale does not depend upon them, but we may draw upon them as we like.<\/p>\n “Immersive theatre gives audience agency; experiential theatre goes beyond passive presentation to active participation. Our piece is fully interactive, from the purchase of the ticket online, through the primary experience, to the conclusion, which arrives in your mailbox a few weeks after you leave us.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cYou will be spoken to, and in constant dialogue with us. If immersive audiences are thought of as characters in a piece, You have equal ‘billing.’<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n “This piece is intended to exist through dialogue between guide and audience. Should an audience member decide or be unable to speak for any reason and only be able to listen, please inform us beforehand so that we can be ready, to make your experience tailored to you.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Sitting for length of show.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAudiences will be seated for virtually the whole experience: on the patio entrance at a table; in the consultation room<\/span>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Light to none.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThere is no direct contact required or expected. You will be presented with objects to interact with, similar to a wine tasting or tea ceremony.<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n “Ticketing will require a survey\/submission; the location will only be revealed with an email confirmation for individual sessions; the conclusion will require a shipping address to receive a special, unique package.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n “Our piece is individually tailored to each audience member; this includes members of communities with disabilities. An opportunity for accommodation requests is provided when engaging online to purchase a ticket. Please email us directly at ATaleByCandlelight@gmail.com with any questions.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Mobility Challenges:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n – Accessible parking may be provided with advance notice. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n – Our site-specific location has issues: some 5 steps lead to our entrance and prevent us from being ADA-compliant. With proper notice we may be able to rent a ramp, but we request direct communication beforehand.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Language Barriers \/ Challenges:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n – The interactive dialogue that the piece hinges on means we can only easily accommodate English-speaking audience members. Those who require a translator for a solo session may bring someone of their choosing at no extra cost. This includes sign language such as ASL.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n For all other challenges (visual \/ audial \/ mental \/ psychological \/ etc.):<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n – Visual impairment is easily accommodated. We have many options and are more than happy to start a dialogue.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Social media:<\/span> Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rated:<\/strong><\/span> 18+<\/p>\n Running time: <\/strong><\/span>45 minutes<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> <\/span>$15<\/p>\n When the zombie apocalypse hits, the truest danger will not come from outside. From They Played Productions<\/a> (creators of last year\u2019s immersive hit God: the Apologies Tour<\/em><\/a> and HFF16\u2019s horror musical Nothing Bad<\/em>) comes a brand-new immersive horror tale that you will experience entirely by yourself. Alone on the streets of Hollywood, you will face a darkness that may devour you whole. A darkness that will give you nowhere to turn as it\u2019s all happening directly\u2026to\u2026you.<\/p>\n NOTE<\/span>: The \u201ctracks\u201d on the ticket page are purely an outcome of the HFF<\/span>\u00a0system not allowing staggered start times at one location in their scheduling system. All \u201ctracks\u201d are the same show and any ticket you buy will be the same experience.<\/p>\n “There\u2019s no theater in this theatrical production. It\u2019s all out on the street. The levels of interaction include listening to some audio, moving through the experience, and interaction with characters.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n “Some reaction will be expected, an exchange of dialog ideally, but even if they choose to not speak or fully engage, the scene will continue.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Yes.<\/strong><\/p>\n “Yes. Movement, some reaction to encounters even if not vocal, continuing along the path.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Walking outdoors on pavement.<\/strong><\/p>\n “Traveling to and from the corner of Santa Monica and Vine, up and down Vine at night. Ideally a slow walk the whole time. We can likely assist with a wheelchair if needed.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Light<\/strong><\/p>\n “Consenting handshake, shoulder tap, light leading by the elbow at the most.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Social media:<\/strong><\/span> Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Rated:<\/strong><\/span> 18+<\/p>\n Running time: <\/strong><\/span>75 minutes<\/p>\n Attention Student Boddy,<\/p>\n Principal Wadsworth here and we have some exciting announcements for the upcoming school year!<\/p>\nSolo Experiences<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Pod<\/a> (Lucid Dramatics\/Spy Brunch)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Provided Synopsis:<\/span><\/h4>\n
\nMacora Aerospace and Robotics International has selected you as a candidate for the first-ever human voyage to Proxima Centauri B, a habitable planet located trillions of miles from Earth. But first, both you and your mission partner need to be thoroughly evaluated. We have put together a training simulation that will prepare the two of you for the decades of your life you\u2019ll spend in deep space. Macora engineers have crafted a vessel using advanced laser propulsion technology \u2014 informally known as The Pod \u2014 that is capable of making this incredible journey in a mere twenty years. There is one catch: The Pod can only carry one human being. Your partner is not human. But we hope she will be the perfect companion. Good luck. We\u2019re counting on you both.<\/p>\nImmersion in their own words: <\/span><\/h4>\n
Performers speaking to participants?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Participants speaking to performers?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Participants influencing the story\u2019s outcome?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Physical demands on the participants?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Physical contact between participant and performer?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Unique features:\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a>Tales by Candlelight<\/strong><\/a> (Walk the Night\/Cantrip Candles)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Immersion in their own words:<\/span><\/h4>\n
Performers speaking to participants and p<\/span>articipants speaking to performers?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Participants influencing the story\u2019s outcome?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Physical demands on the participant?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Physical contact between participant and performer?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Unique Features: <\/span><\/h4>\n
Regarding Accessibility\/Communities with Disabilities:\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a>Internal<\/a> (They Played Productions)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Provided Synopsis:<\/span><\/h4>\n
Immersion in their own words:<\/span><\/h4>\n
Performers speaking to participants?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Participants speaking to performers?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Participants influencing the story\u2019s outcome?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Physical demands on the participant?<\/span><\/h4>\n
Physical contact between participant and performer?<\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/h2>\n
Group Immersions<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Vote for Murder!<\/a> (2Cents Theatre Group)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Provided Synopsis:<\/span><\/h4>\n