BWW PREVIEW: THOSE WHO LIE BEYOND Premieres At Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City

Jess here. Oklahoma City art exhibit, Factory Obscura, will be featuring a performance titled Those Who Lie Beyond in conjunction with their current art exhibit, Beyond. Directed by Ronn Burton, this immersive theatre piece will be unlike any previous work presented in the city.

Burton was inspired by immersive works in New York, such as Sleep No More and Then She Fell. This is the first production of his new company, 19th Century Hound. About 20 actors will be used in the experience.

"The actors improvise scenes, not only with words, but using physicality and movement," Burton said. "In this process, my job as a director is not the conventional 'You stand here. You walk over there on this line.' I encourage our performers to explore their full range, and respond instinctively."

The ensemble includes Regina J. Banks, Mary Buss, Todd Clark, Lindsey Cox, Zaneen Hotchkiss, Ashley Frisbee, Chelcy Harrell, Madolynn Hayes, Anna Holloway, Audrey Johnston, Sarah Lomize, Ashley J. Mandanas, Sheridan McMichael, Aaron Michael, Joshua Okpara, Anastasia Pellar, Alex Prather, Morgan Smith, Brianna Williams, and company members from Race Dance Company and Perpetual Motion Dance.

The work will be approximately 80 minutes, and the audience will walk through different rooms to create their own experience. Each room will feature varied actors and scenarios to depict "a mysterious world filled with creation, illusion, awakening, and transformation." The show allows audiences to receive one-on-one interaction in every area of the exhibit.

The market for immersive theatre is growing fast, and moving outside of New York thanks to directors like Ronn Burton. A new wave of theatre encouraging a participatory audience is now accessible to the masses more than ever.

"The show needs you as an audience member to move forward," Burton said. "I think people will experience a kind of theatrical electricity that Oklahoma City hasn't really seen before."

Those Who Lie Beyond will be running from Nov. 2-17, with showtimes beginning at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $10 for students. A VIP experience is also available for $40 and includes food, special interactions and tokens to take home. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketstorm.com/event/thosewholiebeyondanimmersiveperformancenov2nd1000pm/factoryobscura/oklahomacity/22156/ .

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