The two brought on Sarah Hendrickson, an improv artist with experience at Second City in Chicago, and Grant Cleaveland, the head of Second Stage improv comedy at MSU. The four have been collaborating on this new theatre piece since early 2018 and have deeply involved the cast in the creation of characters and storyline.
In immersive theatre, the audience participates. We were labelled, upon entering MSU’s Broad Art Museum, with one of four wristband colors, which determined our “role” - that some did and many did not figure out, as it determined how the actors/improvisers related to us. (You can identify the actors/improvisers by their lack of wristbands.)
After being herded together for an introductory speech by a Bitter Would-Be Artist, devastated into her current job by “unfair” art critics, the audience was released to wander through several rooms on two levels of the museum, and return in a half hour to witness “performance art” enthusiastically presented by Hard-Core Artist Heath Sartorius. (Sorry not to name the Bitter Would-Be Artist but there is no program; I just happen to know Heath, so…)
Then there was another half hour of wandering/interacting with about 15 or 20 diverse characters before again being herded into a room to read the “reviews” of four new pieces of art created just before the show by four pre-selected audience volunteers. Cast members had solicited and recorded comments/criticisms which were then projected on the ceiling for all to see.
The experience explores art topics such as criticism, diverse opinions, value/price, creativity, meaning, delicate egos and more — and, of course, the show will be different every night, and different for each audience member.
I very much appreciate the concept of immersive theatre, and the talent/bravery of those improv-ing their way through it — but I do not, personally, enjoy it. I spend most of my time feeling confused and/or self conscious and/or worried that I’m missing something — and the rest of my time wondering what in the world I’m going to write about it. ;-}
I’m sure free-er spirits then myself will find this an exciting, free-form, thought provoking experience. I'm sure it was educational experience for the actors. I hope this prepares/encourages/warns you in some way about whatever this experience can be for you.
FRAMING DEVICE continues at the Broad Art Museum through this week Wednesday-Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 7.
http://www.peppermintcreek.org