By Ilana Jael
One of the biggest reasons that Giancarlo Rodaz has made such a big splash in South Florida theatre is how skillfully his work has incorporated immersivity— the up and coming genre that only seems to be on the rise!
Though its roots can be traced to participatory pantomime in Ancient Rome, much of the interest in immersive theatre has stemmed from Sleep No More, a landmark work by the British company Punchdrunk, running in NYC since 2011. This adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth features almost no spoken dialogue as actors convey the story through movement and audiences roam at their own pace through a space made to resemble a hotel.
Immersivity seems to be gaining ground as evidenced by the popularity of 3-D walkthrough art exhibits and experiential adaptations of hit movies and TV shows as well as in what has traditionally been considered “theatre.” The trend was represented on Broadway with Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 where actors performed through the rearranged seating areas. More recently, on London’s West End, director Nick Hytner “immersified” the classic show Guys And Dolls and found himself winning over audiences in the process.
An immersive version of The Great Gatsby that played for seven sold-out years in London before transferring to Manhattan will have its official opening night in about a week. New York audiences also have the option of getting immersed in the Broadway musical Here Lies Love by electing for a “seat” that will allow them to watch the show while standing on a dance floor that is part of its club setting.
And as for why it is that immersion might be so inviting to today’s theatre goers? One reason Rodaz has put forth is that theatrical works give their audience an all-absorbing “experience”, offering something that alternatives like streaming services and social media cannot.
The success of these shows has proven that immersive theatre is not a gimmick but a legitimate way for theatremakers to engage audiences more deeply with their stories. When audiences are ripped from the “safety” of traditional theatre seats, they are forced to be fully present at every moment; and when the barrier between patron and performer is eliminated, a profound sense of connection can result.
As far as where the future of immersive theatre is headed, the exploration of virtual reality as a means of enhancing audience experience has begun. In the meantime, if you want to get a glimpse of what one of the most talented artists in the field has to offer—or to see for yourself what makes these theatrical “experiences” so incredible, you won’t want to miss our production of The Little Mermaid!
