260+ Hours

48 Rehearsals

Asst. Stage Manager

The ‘A New Brain’ team sought to create a theater experience that immersed viewers within the tight restrictions of the venue.

The result was a musical that interacted with the audience, from character/audience conversations to planted props within the seating.

6 Shows

Sitting down to watch this production of William Finn’s hit musical “A New Brain,” you expect it to be like any musical you’ve seen. You sit, they act. But this show has a twist.

The opening notes to Change play as the character of Lisa stalks through the audience, asking for change. She takes a moment to roll her eyes at the front row and jest at the lack of change she receives from the audience. “Wow, what a bunch of big spenders you are,” she exclaims to a middle row attendee.

Some returning watchers of the show come prepared and hand her some pennies as she stalks through the audience. “Well that’s more like it!” she grins and stalks on stage. Now you realize, this is not your average show.

Scenic Moving

Prop Tracking

Creating The Experience

Incorporating interactive elements into the show was the work of extreme planning and Plan B’s. In the front row, we planted old books that are ‘owned’ by the main character. Each had attached a note - hold this on your lap during the show. In the Act 1 finale, the angry mother stalks around the front row, yelling about her son and his “stupid books.” She grabs the planted books from the audience, shoving them into a trash can and ripping them to shreds in a moment of rage. It’s an impactful moment, and audiences get to be a part of it.

Creative Team

Director: Maycee Campano

Assistant Director: Juno Wolfe

Producers: Adam Hassan, Allison Stowe

Production Manager: Sarah Costigan

Stage Manager: Betty Calderon

Assistant Stage Manager: Tara Sandman-Long

Music Director: Anton Peter

Assistant Music Director: Evan Williams

The actor was prepped on all the Plan B’s if these interactions didn’t go to plan. The audience member had hidden the book? Grab one already in the trash can and throw it back in in a rage-filled fit. No audience member had claimed the book and it sat empty on the chair? Grab it from the seat and sing to the nearby audience members instead.

All the actors were put through test runs where they fake heckled by the team, prepping them on staying character even when engaging with a loud audience. This planning allowed for a smooth run of the show and great interaction between the audience and the characters, leaving attendees with a musical experience they’ve never seen before and will never forget.