
Bob Stevenson is no stranger to the devising of nationally-recognized original theatre at the Ïăœ¶ÊÓÆ”APP, but creating his upcoming show was like âlearning to walk again.â
âIt was like everything we knew was wrong,â he said. âWeâd start to build something and come up with cool narrative ideas, and weâd realize it doesnât matter because the narrative doesnât matter. Weâre constantly, even to this day, fighting our instinct to create a mono-mythic linear narrative.â
Theatre @ UAFSâ new production âMist and Shadowsâ might have been difficult to devise, but Stevenson and the students performing in the play hope to wow theatre lovers with the immersive and interactive production, which will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-20 and 22-23 in the Breedlove Auditorium, located at 5120 Grand Ave.
The show is part of the universityâs Season of Entertainment 38. Tickets are $6 for the general public and free for UAFS employees and students. The show is rated for ages 14 and older due to dark themes, violence and sensuality.
The show, which Stevenson described as ânot your average night at the theatre,â combines elements of escape rooms, haunted houses and installation art, where the audience are active participants in the production.
âItâs not going to be a show where you sit in your seat and watch passively. In fact, there wonât be seats to sit in,â Stevenson said. âThe show will be a promenade, where the audience walks around within it. Itâs designed to be touched, traveled through, and figured out as you go. Expect the actors to talk to you, to touch you, to offer you items, and to help you on your journey.â
While Stevenson wouldnât give away many of the plotâs details, he did say the show would be suspenseful with a âLovecraftian feel.â
âItâs not jump scare thing like a haunted house, but we want to emphasize that itâs going to be a mysterious experience,â he said.
Stevenson said interactive shows such as âMist and Shadowsâ are part of an emerging trend in theatre popularized by theatre companies in New York City and London.
âI saw one of these three or four years ago in New York, and itâs been floating around in my mind ever since,â Stevenson said. âHow could we, as a university theatre program, take our Theatre @ UAFS style of original devised storytelling and add in these immersive aspects to it? I floated the idea past the students, and they were nearly unanimous in wanting to do it.â
No bags or purses will be admitted due to the nature of the show, but a coat check will be provided for attendees. Audience members will also be wearing a costume piece similar to a hoodie that will be provided.
The production is part of Season of Entertainment 38, a yearlong lineup of entertainment sponsored by the Ïăœ¶ÊÓÆ”APP featuring a variety of plays, musicals and symphonic performances.
For tickets, visit or contact the UAFS Box Office at 479-788-7300. For more information, contact Stevenson at 479-788-7303 or bob.stevensonFREEuafs.