The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Sometimes spects’ behaviors spoil the process of play. When inappropriate behavior becomes an issue, you may need to address it while remaining within the fiction. This is where a call-out is useful.

Doing a call-out is simple enough. Speak to the spect with direct intensity. Identify the behavior that needs to change, but do it within the context of the story.

Brandon, the spect, has been a first-class jerk to every character that he has met. The inter-actors have tried building rapport, mirroring his values, giving him a buddy, and justifying his abrasive behavior, but all to no avail. He continues to be rude and obnoxious with every character he encounters. Finally, in a scene with his mother, she calls him out. “Brandon.” “That’s my name.” “Brandon, look at me.” He looks insolently at his mother. “Yeah?” She looks him directly in the eyes and holds his gaze. “Brandon, you can’t go through life being a jerk to everyone you meet, or it won’t be much fun.” She holds for a beat, then lightens the tone. “Now how about some mac and cheese?”

It helps the spect to save face when you finish by lightening the mood. It allows them to get the message without needing to respond to the call-out.

A call-out should only be used when other methods haven’t worked. Even then, it won’t always turn things around. You still need the ability to play with spects, however they choose to engage. If the undesired behavior is putting others at risk, the last resort is to have them removed from the story entirely.