Summer Magic: Creating a Sense of Welcome Back to Performance

Abstract

This article explores the welcome created by the immersive movement work, welcome, we’ve been waiting, by Rodney Diverlus. As the first show back in the theatre for many, welcome, we’ve been waiting is a performance in three parts that takes place pre-entrance on a city street, in the stairwell at the building’s entrance, and on stage in the theatre. The community built through audience engagement meant that the theatre space felt more like a community reunion or kiki than a traditional theatre. Through planning for how we would feel, Diverlus created a welcome that lingers long after the performance. Considering the mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics video game design method, Ware explores how designing for feeling created a space where we all felt welcomed back into theatre in a deep and lasting way.