Hella Iambic: Toward an Integrated Live Experience

Latoya Peterson

(she/her)

FRI, JAN 5: PLAYTEST | 3 PM – 4:30 PM (MST)
Sound Stage 1

Visits to the installation in Sound Stage 1 open throughout all of the 6th and 7th

*No sign-up needed; drop by!




Hella Iambic explores the space between live theatre and immersive play, and blurs the line between classical literature and hip-hop. The prototype for Hella Iambic debuted in May of 2023, framed around OSF's Bay Area–influenced production of Romeo and Juliet. The game transports players to the streets of Verona, where you can interact with the main characters of the play and pen lyrical responses in sonnet format responding to key scenes. Designed to be played during the performance, this was an experiment in breaking the social boundaries between audience and stage.

Do I Dare Disturb My Neighbor?: Disrupting Theatrical Norms

Latoya Peterson

(she/her)

SAT, JAN 6 | 6 PM - 7:30 PM (MST)
Large Flex 2




One of the biggest learnings from launching Hella Iambic was the inward struggle audience members had transgressing the rules of theater. Even after explicitly being given permission, audience members felt guilt, shame, or anxiety for using their phones during a performance. This is an open discussion exploring the learnings from Hella Iambic and the social implications for integrating new technologies into traditional settings.