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JUL 06, 2011
Sleep No More: Crafting ExperiencesBy Victor Pineiro
A few months ago our strategy team took a trip to a set of abandoned warehouses in Chelsea to experience Sleep No More, an immersive theatrical production put on by Punchdrunk, a British site-specific theater company. After donning masquerade masks, we were treated to a production unlike anything we’d witnessed before – the world of Macbeth spelled out in a six story stage, each of us free to explore it at will, with actors making their way through the set while we all observed like so many ghosts surrounding them.
Curious for more details about Punchdrunk/Emursive’s process in creating the show and staging it in New York, we contacted Vance Garrett and Alexis Meisel, Supervising Producer and Marketing Director of the production. They talked us through some of the process, and the unique appeal of immersive theatrical experiences. Why do you think an immersive theatrical experience like Sleep No More has resonated so strongly with its audience? Vance: Now’s the time – the city’s hungry for it and there’s lots of opportunity. It’s cool to be in a real space, in real time, with real people, experiencing something in a non-passive way. And I think that’s what our group is trying to figure out – how to reawaken these experiences. It amazes us that so much of the audience’s experience of Sleep No More is left to chance – how does this element play into the production? Vance: I think what’s most interesting is what the audience chooses to participate in, and what feels like it’s chance – and how these deliberate choices play into chance. The audience puts effort into having a certain experience, whether its following a character or engaging with a scene. Alexis: What seems like chaos to an audience member, with a million things going on, is actually very well choreographed, organized, and timed from a logistical standpoint. Proving, even more-so, that there’s no one route you can go – and again, to a larger point, there are some things happening on one floor that are speaking to events happening on another floor. So that’s a great way of showing how there’s no way of “doing it right” because you would never know that these two things are connected during any one experience. How do you research something like Sleep No More, where props tell as much of a story as the actors? Alexis: There was a ton of research done by our designers Livi Vaughan, Beatrice Minns and Felix Barrett. It was like command central here – we had a bunch of people going book by book to research the material. The thought behind the design was extremely well informed, and that’s part of what takes it beyond imagination. The props do have a story of their own, and everything is very carefully managed by dedicated teams leading up to each show. But once the scene is set, it’s really in the performer’s hands. Why did you require audience members to wear masks and how do you see it contributing to their experience? Alexis: There’s a psychology in being behind the mask – it’s a very interesting group dynamic. I think, from personal speculation, being behind a mask can do one of two things. It can either make you feel braver and empower you to do more, or it can do the opposite and strip you of some of your identity and make you self-conscious. It takes your inhibitions away and lets you become someone else in this other world, and it’s interesting to see people’s reactions. It is a game-changer – and it definitely has an effect. How do you see digital working within these experiences as they’re evolving? Vance: Well I have my own ideas and theories about this, but the truth is I’m not sure. And that’s why I’m excited to play around with it and see exactly where the digital and the physical can play around together. I think we’re moving toward a place where they have to coexist. We have to figure out how they can live together. Whether it’s augmented reality or something else, I don’t think we can ignore it anymore. However, it’s a double-edged sword right now. On one level augmented reality is a good way to feel like anything is possible, but the challenge as an artist is how to loop that back into subjective reality, where you actually have one-on-one experiences. We have a lot of work to do to figure out how these two worlds coexist at the same time. I have more questions than I do answers. What insights on human behavior have you gleaned from your experience with Sleep No More? Vance: There’s a phenomenon known as entrainment, which is when the audience members are operating on different frequencies but then give up their differences to work with one another. People start to breathe at the same rhythm, and their hearts beat at the same rhythm – and this implies that people subconsciously want to do what everyone else is doing. It’s not enough to imagine that people are going to be satisfied being at home, by themselves, experiencing some form of reality – they really love to be physically near one another sharing that experience. Across the board, people like to follow one another, they like to talk about what they’re experiencing, they like to commiserate. Victor Pineiro
 @victorpineiro |
6/23: EMPT’S NOCTAMBULE w/ The P. Agency @ The Manderley @ the McKittrick Hotel
2011-06-12 | Posted in Buzz • Productions & Events • Sleep No More | By Vance
Noctambule 6.23.11
That’s right fools, you know what Daria means around these parts – we’re having a party! The saga continues as we bring back Noctambule the only way we know – BIG. I’ve been very fortunate to link up with some very cool PR ladies from a company called The Participation Agency who share our artistic taste, love for the big show and passion for quality. I have no time for anything these days and they’ve helped put together something ridiculously cool for yall and for that we’re so thankful.
The party is taking place at the Sleep No More space and if you’re not hip that what that is then get familiar. Sleep No More is hands down the illest art to hit New York City in the last 10 years. Any attempt at describing it is completely futile so just look it up, buy a ticket and thank us later. The point is this space is ridic and EMPT is the first outsider to come rock the place, we’re honored to be a part it. The event is…
Which means we’ve got an open bar and other goodies to keep you rocking. I haven’t spoken to Kevin yet but I’m sure Casey Mendoza will do a DJ set and did I mention there’s a live performance from Like Diamonds? Fresh.
Like Diamonds – In This Together
After partying in Vegas two weeks ago I didn’t think I would be able to get excited about much but I’m really looking forward to putting this on for you guys. We’ve worked with some amateur league representation in the past so I’m a little scarred and since I can’t bare giving you guys anything be the best I almost backed out of this one. However, the girls at The Participation Agency showed me what professionalism is in the world of PR and knocked this out in style so expect a heck of a time.
I’d love to host the entire EMPT army but space is truly limited on this one so if you want to rock RSVP at noctambule@etmusiquepourtous.com
ELLE: Sleep No More’s Scary Fun
2011-04-02 | Posted in Sleep No More | By Vance
Sleep No More’s Scary Fun
by Britt Aboutaleb
on March 29, 2011 – 4:31 PM
Photo: Alick Crossley for Sleep No More
Last night, we went to see Sleep No More, the immersive nearly sold-out theater experience by the Punchdrunk Theatre Company in an abandoned warehouse in Chelsea. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see a line snaking down an abandoned stretch of 27th street leading to huge black doors.
Once inside you’ll check your coat (and do this, you’ll want your hands free to open drawers and hold on to your friends for dear life) and then walk into a red velvet-covered lounge with a stage, a bar, and one pretty, sultry singer. She’ll guide you into a box like room and make you wear a mask—not a sexy slip of a thing but a solid white mask with a beak-like nose—and push you into the elevator. From there, who knows where you’ll end up.
Photo: Sleep No More
There are five floors and nearly 100 rooms, each one decorated better and more elaborately than the next. Some resemble asylums, with rows of metal beds and cabinets full of medicine and sharp tools while others look like homes and still others taxidermy shops. Take a turn and you end up in a graveyard, or a bed, or a dark bar in which strobe lights illuminate what turns into a naked rave. We won’t tell you anything else other than 1) if an actor takes your hand, follow and 2) if you can’t figure out what’s going on start opening drawers, reading notes, and thinking in terms of Macbeth.
You can snag tickets here. Oh, and one more thing, you probably don’t want to be the first one off the elevator.
SLEEP NO MORE
2011-01-13 | Posted in Sleep No More • Upcoming Productions & Events | By Vance
T STYLE: “Big Apple Circus Goes Indie”
2011-01-08 | Posted in Buzz • Rock & Roll Circus | By Vance
Big Apple Circus Goes Indie
Photo Vito Fun-Jessica Resler and Adarsha Benjamin, co-producers of the Rock & Roll Circus at Lincoln Center.
On Jan. 3 and 4, an independently produced event modeled and named after the Rolling Stones’ 1968 Rock and Roll Circus hits Lincoln Center, with a lineup of indie music darlings like So So Glos, Amazing Baby, Japanther and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. But it’s more than just a concert staged under the big top: food trucks from Mexicue, Van Leeuwen and Asia Dog will be present, and Tuesday’s show includes Big Apple Circus performances. The Moment caught up with Jessica Resler, founder of the brand development firm Muffincupcake, who engineered the project along with the event producers Adarsha Benjamin and Vance Garrett.
How did Rock & Roll Circus come about?
Jessica Resler: Vance and I worked together this summer in Fire Island. I was doing all the marketing and brand strategy, and he was doing all the events bookings. After Fire Island, one idea that came to him was that the Big Apple Circus was looking for people to alternatively produce in the big top. Vance used to be an aerial acrobat in the circus, so he was really excited when they reached out. My friend Ardasha was in town, and she had the amazing idea of doing the Rock & Roll Circus. She has all the connection to the bands — they’re all her personal friends, so it was really easy to pull it all together. And then my side of it has been really pulling the business side of it together. We’re a very well-suited team for each area that needed to happen. We’re independently producing in Lincoln Center. We had two days to get together $25,000 to be able to do the event — we borrowed it from friends. We were sitting there like, “Oh my God, there’s no way we can do this.” The first two people I called said yes.
What was it like coordinating an independent party with the Big Apple Circus?
JR: That has been a big thing. Our conversations now are like, “How can we integrate the Mongolian contortionists with Nick Zinner’s group?” We’re trying to confirm whether we can use the dog or the pony act. They’re cruelty-free, so they don’t use elephants or tigers, but they have some gorgeous ponies! The circus is an amazing, perfect, polished product. It’s been a big learning curve. They would really like an adult show to be able to come through there and not alienate the kids’ shows.
What are some ways you’re doing that?
JR: We’re trying to stage some surprises. There’s going to be face painting and props, a tattoo artist doing little circus-style tattoos.
Why did you decide to make the first day free?
JR: Well, the first day doesn’t have the circus acts; it’s just under the big top. For one, we’re considering our sponsors and the biggest reach they can have for an event, so we said, “Let’s give it a big kickoff.” And our nature is to say, “Let’s make this a big community-driven event with as many people and personalities as possible.” And it’s fun to be able to organize a free event and be like, “Yeah, bring everyone!”
Go to rockandrollcircusparty.com for more information.
PAPERMAG: “The ROCK & ROLL CIRCUS is coming…”
2010-12-18 | Posted in Buzz • Rock & Roll Circus | By Vance
Stuffed Animals On Tour + Steak ‘n Shake in Vegas in Today’s Eight Items or Less
By Gary Pini
1. One of the strangest holiday gifts we’ve seen is the “Stuffed in the City” tour of New York City. For $100 you can ship your favorite toy to the Big Apple for a one-week tour documented with photos and a souvenir. Go here for all the details. Your teddy bear will love you.
2. While you were partying during Art Basel Miami, curators from the Norton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida) were busy buying pieces at the fairs held around town. The works are all featured in a new (and timely) exhibit called “Now WHAT?” that’s on view until March 13, 2011.
3. The Rock & Roll Circus is coming to Lincoln Center’s Big Apple Circus tent on January 3 and 4. On the first night, admission is free with performances by Japanther, The Pharmacy, PAPERMAG contributors the So So Glows and more. On the following night, Susan Sarandon will introduce OK GO!, Amazing Baby and others.
4. A branch of Steak ‘n Shake opened in Las Vegas at the South Point Hotel.
5. After a ten-week run, the Levi’s Photo Workshop (18 Wooster Street) is having one last party on Saturday, December 18, 8 to 11 p.m.
6. Daft Punk‘s Tron: Legacy soundtrack became the French duo’s highest charting US album after going straight onto the Top 200 at number 10 this week. The film opens at midnight tonight.
This story was published on Dec. 16, 2010
MORE FROM: Word of Mouth
TAGS: art basel miami, daft punk, eight items or less, Stuffed in the City, the rock & roll circus, Tron: Legacy
January 3rd & 4th: The ROCK & ROLL CIRCUS at Lincoln Center Under the Big Apple Circus Tent
2010-12-16 | Posted in Productions & Events • Rock & Roll Circus | By Vance
WWW.ROCKANDROLLCIRCUSPARTY.COM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For information, photos, press seating:
Patrick Kowalczyk, patrick@pkpr.com
Alisa Finkelstein, alisa@pkpr.com
What: The Rock & Roll Circus with Aerial Pink, Amazing Baby, Nick Zinner and Aska, and Saint Motel
When: Monday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 4th
Time: Doors – 7pm; Show – 8pm
Where: Under the Big Apple Circus Tent at Lincoln Center (Between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues)
Tickets: January 3rd: Free; January 4th: $50.00
Web: www.rockandrollcircusparty.com
AERIAL PINK, AMAZING BABY, NICK ZINNER AND ASKA, SAINT MOTEL AND MORE TO HEADLINE
THE ROCK & ROLL CIRCUS AT LINCOLN CENTER
UNDER THE BIG APPLE CIRCUS TENT, January 3rd and 4th
December 16, 2010, New York, New York— The Rock & Roll Circus, a two-day, three-ring, musical extravaganza featuring Aerial Pink, Amazing Baby, Nick Zinner and Aska, Saint Motel, contortionist, acrobats, and more will kick off 2011 under the 40,000 square foot Big Apple Circus Tent at Lincoln Center on January 3rd and 4th.
Picking up where the best of 1968’s legendary rock superstars left off, the all-new ROCK & ROLL CIRCUS is a raucous, cutting-edge marriage of the best of circus spectacle and today’s top musicians
Recently featured in PBS’ “Circus” documentary, The Big Apple Circus is one of the longest running and top cruelty-free circuses.
Scheduled over two days, the first night of the Rock & Roll Circus is a free concert showcasing Japanther, Voxhaul Broadcast, The Pharmacy, Electric Tickle Machine, and the So So Glos.
The following night, concert-goers will enjoy a multisensory, explosive experience as contortionists, balancing acts, jugglers and acrobats fill the ring alongside Aerial Pink, Amazing Baby, Nick Zinner of the YeahYeahYeahs and Aska, and Saint Motel.
On both nights, the audience can explore wildly eclectic mix of attractions, including bars sponsored by Belvedere, Jet Blue, Publicide Inc., Pop Chips, EarPeace, photo opportunities from Impossible Projects (of Polaroid fame), and retail pop ups from Spirit Hoods and Impossible Projects. Favorite famous New York food vendors, such as Van Leeuwen’s Ice Cream Truck, Mexicue and Asia Dog, will feed hungry concertgoers, and Six Point Brewery will provide a pop-up beer bar.
THE KDU created a unique Rock & Roll Circus graphic art to promote the event. Thrillist.com is on board as a media sponsor with a specialized website for ticket-buyers to the Rock & Roll Circus.
Created to bring unity to the progressive music community, The Rock & Roll Circus is curated by Vance Garrett Productions, Jessica Resler of Muffin Cupcake, and Adarsha Benjamin. The trio have a collective 28 years of experience in event and experiential production, ranging from 5,000+ person spectacles at Roseland to concerts, product launches, and beyond (including projects with Old Navy, Nike, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Red Bull, Barney’s New York, Out Magazine, Absolut, Perrier, and a bevy of celebrities and personalities).
FLAVORPILL PICK: Future Shorts One November
2010-11-17 | Posted in Buzz • Film • Productions & Events | By Vance
FUTURE SHORTS ONE NOVEMBER
Future Shorts ONE – connecting audiences across the globe in live simultaneous events. Connecting 12 countries and 50 cities in the world’s largest celebration of film and culture.
- Future Shorts
Short attention spanners take note, Future Shorts, the largest short-film network in the world, is trying to bring its monthly series of cutting edge, bite-sized cinema to New York. Tonight’s program, which has already found audiences in Australia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan features Ramin Bahrani’s Plastic Bag, an examination of one bag’s existential journey, Daniel Wirtberg and Jonas Rudström’s music video for Miike Snow’s “Burial,” and Polish filmmaker Tomasz Wolski’s award-winning documentary The Lucky Ones, about the goings on in the Civil Registry Office of Krakow. Given its worldwide acceptance, we hope this series’ New York existence is also long-lived.
- Mindy Bond“Barbra Streisand” (Duck Sauce)
2010-10-01 | Posted in Uncategorized | By Vance
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