While these hot, sunny summer days might currently seem like they’ll last forever, the fact is we’re only a few weeks away from autumn, when temperatures cool down, darkness comes earlier and, as Halloween approaches, thoughts start to turn to all things spooky. Capitalizing on that frame of mind are two new immersive theater and art experiences with dark and scary themes set for September and October.
Screenshot Productions is a local collective of interdisciplinary artists who gather together to create experiences for audiences outside of traditional gallery and theater settings. Each production involves building an immersive environment and engaging the audience member in an intimate and interactive performance. This autumn, they will be mounting two shows, Bardo Thodol and The Rope.
First up in September is Bardo Thodol, a work inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Before showing up for this very personal, psychological production, ticket-buyers will be sent elaborate questionnaires in which they are asked to divulge information about themselves, which will then be used in the show as each person is individually asked to confront real elements of their own life within the play’s setting between death and reincarnation.
The following month, Screenshot turns their attention to a more overtly horror-themed production, The Rope. Similar to the modern haunted house experiences where participants are moved through an elaborately-constructed environment, encountering terror around each corner, this show, staged at a secret location not yet disclosed, will involve a more physical experience than Bardo Thodol, as audience members shimmy through secret passages and confront hauntings of all kinds.
Depending on how you like to be scared—be it more eerie and psychological or more straight-up terrifying—either production should make for a sophisticated take on Halloween horror.
Bardo Thodol runs September 2-30 at various times on Fridays and Saturdays at 704 S Spring St in Downtown Los Angeles; tickets are $50. The Rope runs October 1-31 at secret times and location; tickets are $65.