Creating Worlds

A practical guide to creating successful immersive theatre productions, by an experienced theatre-maker and practitioner.

Placing the audience at the heart of a production - not as passive bystanders but as active participants - is the impetus behind the hugely varied work of leading immersive theatre companies such as Punchdrunk, OneOhOne and Hobo Theatre. Done well, it can generate powerful, gut-level emotional effects that will long outlast the production itself.

Creating Worlds offers a step-by-step breakdown of the entire journey towards making an immersive theatre production, and covers everything you need to consider, including:

• Deciding what kind of production you want to make, and the 'mission statement' for your piece
• Understanding and anticipating audience behaviour
• Planning and influencing journeys through the space
• Balancing interaction with narrative
• Giving your audience an active role, and navigating the thin line between free will and uncontrolled chaos
• Managing complex rehearsals, and preparing your cast for the unexpected
• Extending the audience experience outside of the performance
• Generating innovative ideas and tactics for marketing your production

Throughout the book, Jason Warren draws on his own experiences of creating immersive theatre work in a variety of styles and settings. Also included is a glossary of key terms, and a schedule to help you make the most of your rehearsal period.

An essential how-to guide for theatre-makers, artists, students and teachers who want to create their own immersive theatre, Creating Worlds is also a fascinating read for those interested in the inspirations and ideas that fuel the performances they love.

Auteur

Jason Warren is a London-based theatre director, dramaturg and practitioner. His work as a director and dramaturg includes Nerve/Jekyll and Hyde (UK tour), The Sacred Obscene (London and Edinburgh), Two Girls (Southwark Playhouse), and fourteen new plays under the banner of his previous company, AXIS Arts, focused exclusively on new writing, innovative formats and emerging artists. Under AXIS Arts and its predecessor AXIS Theatre he produced the majority of his immersive work, including Caligula, Anima and #MSND. He also works regularly with marginalised voices, including work with disabled artists and in ex-conflict zones.

Jason's work has been reviewed variously as 'muscular and intelligent' and 'disconcertingly nihilistic'. He enjoys sharing these qualities in his work as a regular director at East 15 Acting School. Creating Worlds is his first published book.