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 pieceUnderstanding and anticipating audience behaviourPlanning and influencing journeys through the spaceBalancing interaction with narrativeGiving your audience an active role, and navigating the thin line between free will and uncontrolled chaosManaging complex rehearsals, and preparing your cast for the unexpectedExtending the audience experience outside of the performanceGenerating innovative ideas and tactics for marketing your productionThroughout 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.

‘The joy of working in this field is that there is so much left to discover… my aim with this book is to help you craft your own beliefs on what makes good immersive theatre – and to create responsive and rich worlds of your own.’ Jason Warren