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The Space as the Choice-Maker

Updated: Sep 7, 2023

Tailoring the production to its specific locale imbued the show with a contextual resonance that harmonised with its setting.

The choice of venue significantly impacted the show's presentation. Transitioning from the solo performance to the new cabaret-style version raised the stakes. This revised setup allowed for more adaptability in my actions. Walking around the audience and making direct eye contact was a novel experience, more nerve-wracking yet thrilling.


As depicted in the chart below, our set designer, Kuk Chang, created a 3D model of the space, helping us visualise its layout. Compared to the studio space of the initial show, this was an exciting step up. While I had broken the fourth wall before, this new level of interaction, becoming truly immersed with the audience, was something else entirely. As an actress, I found this aspect most rewarding, as each night was different, adding to the richness of the experience.


"In site-responsive performance, participation may be active or passive, intentional or even unwitting." (Hayes, 2017, pg. 86)


This reflects the audience's various roles.

When I was writing the script, I needed to juggle multiple storylines happening at once, making sure each scene was equally captivating. As I delved into the characters' thoughts and feelings, I chose to make each scene feel genuine. This approach is particularly evident with the character Sky, who isn't fully revealed until later when his monologue coincides with an interrogation scene. This reveals the careful thought put into character development and how the story unfolds.



During the show, I had a couple of moments where I relied on people's answers. Every night, as I take the stage, I find myself attuned to the ebb and flow of their reactions, their laughter, tears, and gasps becoming the barometers of our shared emotional journey. It's in these moments of genuine connection that I've learned to listen and respond, to let their energy guide my performance. Their ever-changing responses have surprised me, pushing me to adapt, improvise, and infuse each show with a unique vitality. This bond between actor and audience has taught me the art of spontaneity and the beauty of live theater. It's in the quiet pause after a well-delivered line or the roar of applause after an intense scene that I find validation, a reminder that the magic of storytelling lies not just in my portrayal, but in the alchemy of our collective experience.


In my monologue, in many of one, I had to pick one person and talk to them eye to eye. I have never had this amount of intimacy on stage with an audience member before. That moment is such a vulnerable moment for Seline. The close interaction with the audience, I experienced a different type of adrenalin rush as I mess up, they see everything. The last time I had a immersive experience was with Boiling point Breakthrough (2021) dir. By Sofia Zaragoza, there we were serving tea to the audience and having direct eye contact but never had an intimate moment close to them.


"Musical and theatrical improvisation exemplify the principle: each step in improvisation changes the context in which the subsequent steps will be taken."(Bermant, 2013, pg. 4)

This idea was evident on the first night of the show during the opening welcome and monologue. As I delivered a line saying 'You are just like everyone else,' a sense of vulnerability emerged due to the wording of that moment, prompting me to spontaneously add, 'No, I'm actually joking.' This improvisation added another layer to the interaction. This experience taught me that onstage actions may not always elicit the intended positive response from the audience, as I usually receive laughs and smiles in this show.


In the opening monologue again, I say ‘So, which one do you have a crazy ex or a crazy history’. Every night, I wished for someone in that seat who would be willing to join in a collaboration with me.

"It can be unpleasant and uncomfortable to be addressed by an actor and be expected to respond, and it is likely that it will severely interrupt the process of ego identification" (Stichter, 2016, pg. 5)

In the one woman version of the show, I had one audience member in the middle of our conversation, got up and left me on the spot. It was really fun afterwards as I was quick and responsive in saving the moment.


Immersive theatre has helped me become more attuned to how the audience behaves, the atmosphere, and their body language. This approach improved my ability to sense the audience's feelings, understand the mood, and judge the overall vibe. These immersive experiences also made me better at interpreting the space, emotions, and social dynamics of the performance. The back-and-forth between performers and the audience in immersive theatre helped me engage better with the audience. This gave me a useful insights into how the audience reacts and let me make subtle changes to the performance based on what's happening emotionally and socially at the moment.


In the second show, I asked the audience, "Do you have money?" Usually, about 99 percent of people say no, which I appreciate for their honesty. However, during that performance, one person actually said yes. This caught me off guard, and I quickly turned down the money. Looking back, I think it would have been interesting to accept the money and explore the idea that money doesn't really mean much in that context.


The production of "Burnt City'' by Punch Drunk ignited a spark of inspiration within me, forever altering my perspective on immersive theatre. I went there 3 weeks before the show started to find inspiration behind the immersive element. The masterful way in which they seamlessly blend performance with audience engagement has left an indelible mark on my artistic journey. Witnessing their meticulous creation of an entire world within the walls of a theatre, where every nook and cranny is imbued with significance, has shown me the boundless potential of immersive elements.


This experience deeply touched me, inspiring me to explore new ways of connecting with the audience. Engaging with the actors in the moment and experiencing this intimate and expositional form of theatre was truly captivating and represented a unique theatrical encounter for me.





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