As we have the means to measure it, this has been a pretty good week here at No Proscenium.
We’ve added a new tool to our utility belt, the Link In Bio page. Now, if you see something interesting on our Instagram feed, you can find it on that page every time. And the link is… well, you get it.
As I write this the first LA Immersive Invitational is underway. We’ll be there on Sunday night, acting as part of the judging panel. The really good news is that all the teams are going to walk away with a little cash and hopefully — even more importantly — some new friends and fans. It all came together quickly, thanks to Graham Wetterhahn of After Hours Theatre Company turning a surprise — his actors got cast in TV shows up in Canada! — into an opportunity. Now some of the most exciting young companies in LA are making new work to share in a classic “48 Hour Flash Festival” format. Showcase this Sunday, tickets on sale now.
You’re also going to find a host of auditions, gigs, and grants in the Professional Opportunities section below. Seriously.
And we hit a milestone this week: 250 Patreon backers. While we’re a long, looooong way from being self-sustaining on reader contributions alone, this kind of maker gives me hope that we can actually do it. (Which we, ah, need to do since July was bad for freelancing for me. So if you’ve been thinking about it, now is the time for that $1/month.)
Now get ready because this edition is MIGHTY.
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ON THE PODCAST THIS WEEK
Three interviews from the floor of the world’s biggest computer graphics conference that explore the state of the art of immersive tech:
From Magic Leap Studios, Dan Lehrich VP of Production; the CEO of Glassbox Technologies, Norman Wang; and the Chief Creative and GM of Intel Studios, Diego Prilusky.
Augmented reality, virtual production, and volumetric filmmaking are our topics of the day, so get ready to go into the future on this episode of the NoPro Podcast.
FROM THE WIRE: SHOWS, EVENTS, & EXPERIENCES
National: The VOID expands
Remote: ‘Under the Bed’ — Candle House Collective
NYC: Galleria Esperienza; Last Audience; Nourishment (Why Believe?), Knock Once For Yes, Theatre in the Dark: Carpe Diem, Play!, Remembrance, Campout, Chaos Theory (New Dates)
Philadelphia: Know Thyself, SPIES!!: Even More Spying
Chicago: Open Spaces — an Art Dinner for Aliens
Dallas: Dreamscape Immersive
Houston: Candytopia
Santa Fe: The Society of Peripheral Studies
Los Angeles: Touch, Los Angeles Immersive Invitational: SHOWCASE, Touch — Incarnation,
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Submit your show to us here or at pitches@noproscenium.com.
REVIEWS
From No Proscenium:
The Past Can’t Be Outrun—’Shadow of the Run: Chapter 1: Wanderlust’ (Review)A notorious crime becomes the centerpiece for a thrilling immersive theatre piece just outside of Cleveland.noproscenium.comThe Tangled Tragedies of Kurt Cobain and Hamlet : ‘Nirvamlet’ (Review)Band of Toughs and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts present a mix tape of grunge and classicsnoproscenium.comFar Out Selfies, Serious History: Our Trip Through The ‘Museum of Weed’ (Review)Weedmaps’ LA project is more than a selfie palace that explores what’s changed with the devil’s lettuce — and what…noproscenium.com‘The Society Now: Babalon’ — Rebooting a Mystery (Review)After a nearly two year absence, The Society returns to make magicknoproscenium.com‘The Infinity Engine’ Enchants and Intoxicates (Review)Incantrix Productions and Sinking Ship team up to bring an immersive pub crawl to NYCnoproscenium.com
From David & Lisa Spira of Room Escape Artist:
STORIES
From David & Lisa Spira of Room Escape Artist:
THIS IS A BIG ONE!
Room Escape Artist published the 5 Year US Escape Room Industry Report (August 2019).
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From Ava Lee Scott, actor and creator of House Of Enchantments:
From Laura E. Hall of Timberview Productions:
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disney’s Haunted Mansion, this Twitter thread by Ryan Benno (@BryanRenno) deep-dives into the attraction’s best facts and spookiest Easter eggs.
THE DISCOURSE
Discussions and posts from Everything Immersive & Twitter:
Adam Alston has written a great essay tying together the current state of topics like safety, risk, speculation, and more in the immersive industry. — Kathryn
The Society of Peripheral Studies
Visitors to Meow Wolf this summer may find themselves stumbling upon an alternate reality game trailhead within the House of Eternal Return (I found mine in the abandoned camper). The so-called Society of Peripheral Studies has announced a new Citizen Scientist Initiative and interested parties visiting Santa Fe can start their application by calling (505) 395–7799. It appears that this ARG experience by Meow Wolf Outside will be running through at least November 1st, according to the application form. — Kathryn
SXSW Panel Picker Call from Cara Mandell
Jeff Heimbuch of Horrorbuzz interviews the creators of the upcoming LA show.
NOW FUNDING
The Ode at Pint’s End
Chicago’s Birch House preps an immersive folk tale
The Ode at Pint’s End, written by Lauren N. Fields and Janie Killips, is an epic folktale that features traditional Irish music and new music by Janie Killips.
As they celebrate a full year on dry land, three Irish sailors recount the story of a shipwreck that changed their lives and the secrets they found at the bottom of the sea that still haunt them. Their tale unfolds in increasingly magical ways with the help of the mystical Merrows, the sailors’ wives, and the audience. The Ode at Pint’s End explores the journey from ambition to wisdom, the weight of our choices, and how we learn to let go.
The Speakeasy Society’s Johnny Cycle Returns to LA
Reimagined with new content, this theatrical experience explores the impact of politics and power. Tickets also now on sale. FINAL WEEK
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Jobs & Grants
CASTING/GIGS
Punchdrunk International: Dancer Call
Atlanta/NYC: Second Story seeking freelance producers
Philadelphia — OPEN CASTING CALL: New Immersive Experiences from Pseudonym Productions for Halloween and Fringe in
Salem, MA Casting: Intramersive in
Philadelphia — Auditions for Cirque du Nuit
Los Angeles — Give Up the Ghost Crew and Casting Call
An expansion of the award-winning, audience and critically-acclaimed interactive play One Last Thing Before You Go from the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2018 by Kirsten Hageleit & Aaron Vanek. Stage managed by Emmy-award winning producer Jenni Powell (The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, lonelygirl15, Emma Approved)
Sundance New Frontier Story Lab Applications Now Open
Grants
Announcing The Virtual Being Developer Grants (Guest Blog)A Day at the Virtual Beings Summit brings hope for a new form of immersive entertainment.noproscenium.comApplications Now Open: Ideas for Immersive Technology in the ArtsLearn how to apply and read more about our special issue on the topic.immerse.news
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