Bob Stevenson is no stranger to the devising of nationally-recognized original theatre at the 91老司机 - Fort Smith, but creating his upcoming show was like 鈥渓earning to walk again.鈥�
鈥淚t was like everything we knew was wrong,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檇 start to build something and come up with cool narrative ideas, and we鈥檇 realize it doesn鈥檛 matter because the narrative doesn鈥檛 matter. We鈥檙e constantly, even to this day, fighting our instinct to create a mono-mythic linear narrative.鈥�
Theatre @ 91老司机鈥� new production 鈥淢ist and Shadows鈥� 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 university鈥檚 Season of Entertainment 38. Tickets are $6 for the general public and free for 91老司机 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 鈥渘ot your average night at the theatre,鈥� combines elements of escape rooms, haunted houses and installation art, where the audience are active participants in the production.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not going to be a show where you sit in your seat and watch passively. In fact, there won鈥檛 be seats to sit in,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淭he show will be a promenade, where the audience walks around within it. It鈥檚 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.鈥�
While Stevenson wouldn鈥檛 give away many of the plot鈥檚 details, he did say the show would be suspenseful with a 鈥淟ovecraftian feel.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 not jump scare thing like a haunted house, but we want to emphasize that it鈥檚 going to be a mysterious experience,鈥� he said.
Stevenson said interactive shows such as 鈥淢ist and Shadows鈥� are part of an emerging trend in theatre popularized by theatre companies in New York City and London.
鈥淚 saw one of these three or four years ago in New York, and it鈥檚 been floating around in my mind ever since,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淗ow could we, as a university theatre program, take our Theatre @ 91老司机 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.鈥�
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 91老司机 - Fort Smith featuring a variety of plays, musicals and symphonic performances.
For tickets, visit or contact the 91老司机 Box Office at 479-788-7300. For more information, contact Stevenson at 479-788-7303 or bob.stevenson@uafs.edu.