What I liked
Meyers is definitely a gifted storyteller. To hear him describe how theater / art touched him so deeply that it altered his own creativity – at times it is deeply moving. His descriptions of the confusion, excitement and wonder of exploring something so new and fresh to him can only inspire others to go out and seek adventures of their own.
What I didn't like
This piece works best when the storyteller makes it personal – clearly links his encounter with an immersive theater event to changes he felt happening within himself. That connection is felt strongest near the beginning and end of this piece.
People unfamiliar with “immersive theater” might have a little trouble understanding the scale of The Tension Experience simply based on this retelling of some of the events recalled here.
Although the story being told is fascinating, it would have been nice to see more of the stage utilized. Projections help with key moments but the static image of a man at a desk actually lessens the strength of how impactful the events supposedly were as they unfolded. Some slight sound issues made the quieter moments slightly hard to understand, hopefully that will be fixed in future performances.
My overall impression
Theater leaves a mark. When the right piece of art reaches the right person, the effect can be deeply impactful. This is the story of someone who found themselves in that position. There is value in sharing the tale of how a piece of theater can move someone, change someone or motivate someone to create something new. Inspiration is elusive and it is exciting to hear someone share how they found some in their own adventures.
