Interactive theatre


Interactive theatre is a presentational form that breaks the "fourth wall" separating performer and audience both physically and verbally.

In traditional theatre, performance is limited to a designated stage area and the action of the play unfolds without any interplay with audience members, who function as passive observers.[citation needed] Conversely, in interactive theatre, performance may happen amidst audience members, and often involves the audience in more active roles. They may be asked to hold props, supply performance suggestions (as in improvisational theatre), share the action's real-world (non-theatrical) setting (as in Site specific theatre), or become characters in the performance. In addition the audience may be asked to participate in altering the course of the play altogether by taking part in a collective vote to help steer the plot in a new direction, as with Augusto Boal's forum theatre. In therapeutic and educational settings, the audience may even be invited to discuss pertinent issues with the performers.

Theatre companies and shows that regularly utilize audiences in an interactive fashion within their performances include The Second City, pH, Supernatural Chicago, Dungeonmaster, Mystery on the Lake Productions and Walkabout Theater.

There have been several stage shows where audience members can actively alter the plot. Examples include:

The Mystery of Edwin Drood- This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' unfinished novel is considered a solve-it-yourself mystery. During a break in the show, the audience votes on an ending, with 7 possible outcomes.

Night of January 16th – In this 1934 court room drama by Ayn Rand, the audience takes on the role of the jury. They decide if the defendant is “guilty” or “not guilty”, leading to one of two possible outcomes.

The Boomerang Kid - The Boomerang Kid, by Chris Econn, introduced a new interactive theatrical element by allowing the audience to choose on behalf of the main character throughout the narrative, in real time, leading to over 50 possible story variations. The audience made their decisions with hand held wireless technology that was given to them before the beginning of the show.

See also

Sources


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