Loggerhead Ruse: An Immersive and Devised Theatrical Piece Using Audience Agency Within a Theatrical Story to Increase Theatre Engagement in America

Is it possible to increase audience attendance in theatres across America by implementing immersion and agency to the audience? Loggerhead Ruse intends to explore that. Loggerhead Ruse is an immersive, devised theatrical experience set in a post-apocalyptic world, where trust is a dangerous gamble. As a devised piece, the story is built collaboratively by the ensemble, guided by the director’s vision and thematic specificity. As an immersive production, the audience is fully surrounded by the world—set, lighting, and actors drawing them into the same space as the story unfolds. At its core, Loggerhead Ruse explores self-interest, paranoia, and the unknown. Misunderstandings can spiral into chaos, and at worst—murder. Blending thriller and horror elements, the story unfolds across three distinct timelines, each dictated by audience choices at pivotal moments. Each timeline uses the interplay between scripted scenes and improvisation. This experience is like a live-action video game, shifting course in real-time, making audience members think on their choices. With a limited audience size, the intimacy heightens the tension, amplifying both fear and excitement as participants navigate who to trust. Loggerhead Ruse is designed to keep its audience on edge—immersed in a world where every decision matters and survival is never guaranteed.

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Theatre, Dance, and Film

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Majors, Meagan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Morille, Jordan

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Ney, Charles

• theatre
• immersive
• alive
• theatre engagement

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/21654

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/21654