For 7 years Artistic Directors  Genevieve Gearhart, Julianne Just, and Matthew Bamberg-Johnson of the Speakeasy society have shown LA’s immersive community the evolution of an artform. With more experience than most working in the LA area, they have a unique understanding of the word ‘play’ and why it’s so important to their work.

The Speakeasy Society is responsible for works like:
The Kansas Collection: A 10 part epic exploring the world of OZ
The Johnny Cycle: a series about lost youth and the horrors of war- based on Dalton Trumbo’s ‘Johnny Got His Gun’.
And Under the Bigtop: A series on time travel and the mystery of a 1928 circus -in collaboration with Two Bit Circus

For any in the LA area: as of 7/5/19, they are currently working to remount the Johnny Cycle and are looking for folks interested in living through a glimpse of that world. 

Make it immersive:

The Magicians [15:00]

Selected links: 

Speakeasy society
Johnny cycle: Vidya
Kansas collection
The magicians
Dragon Lance
Forgotten realms
Edith Wharton: age of innocence
Immersive Design Summit
Agousto Boal
Invisible theater
No Proscenium
Indiecade festival
GOAT test
Knotts Berry Farm: Ghost Town Alive
Hollywood fringe festival
The Pod
Meow Wolf
Johnny got his gun
Dalton Trumbo
Two Bit Circus
Under the Big Top

Show Notes:

Introductions & Favorite worlds? [1:55]

What kind of experience are you trying to give your audience? [7:57]

Setting the stage & onboarding [12:56]

Value of play:

-Genevieve Gearhart [17:28]

-Matthew Bamberg-Johnson [19:23]

-Julianne Just [21:40]

Art and personal reflection [24:25]

Veterans healing through immersion [25:05]

Make it immersive: The magicians [28:10]

Starting with the test & a secret entrance [30:25]

No two experiences alike [33:35]

Rationing resources with a group [38:50]

What do you tell the uninitiated about immersion [40:30]

You have importance, you are seen.. [40:50]

Should you surprise a friend with immersion? [43:40]

Immersion on the horizon: Thoughts on star wars, VR, and collaboration [45:50]

LA Immersive Supergroup [51:11]

GET IMMERSED: A billboard [54:20]
What Speakeasy has on the horizon [59:42]

A collaboration with Two Bit Circus: ‘Under the Big Top’ [1:03:18]

The means, team, and times of Speakeasy Society [1:05:27]