The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Interactive performances need spects. It only makes sense that you also need spects when you train. During rehearsals and performances, the spect wrangler coordinates the spects. When you’re training and there isn’t a spect wrangler, it’s up to you.

Recruiting spects

The greater variety of spects you train with, the more skilled you become. When recruiting spects, don’t limit yourself to friends and family. Train with people who don’t know you because they’ll play differently than those who do. Reach out to people from different walks of life.

Some excellent sources for spects are special interest groups and social or faith organizations. Start by reaching out to the coordinators. When you get the people in charge on board, it’s easier to recruit their members. Recruit in person because it’s harder to say no when people are face to face with you. It also helps to have a letter of introduction that explains what you’re doing. The letter should be signed by someone official and printed on letterhead. This reassures the people you talk with that you’re not some kind of wacko.

While recruiting, use the word “participants.” The term “spect” is unfamiliar and makes your unusual request seem even more incomprehensible. It’s easier for people to say yes to your request when you’re looking for something they understand, like participants.

When people agree to come play, get their name, email, and phone number. Give them yours as well. (If you want to keep your contact info private, create a Gmail account and a Google Voice number.) Within 24 hours of their agreeing to come play, send a text or email with information about where and when to show up, along with directions and parking information.

If recruiting a rehearsal spect that you don’t know, be safe. Make sure there will be more than the two of you present at the training. A good solution is for a fellow inter-actor to join you. If you each have recruited a rehearsal spect, this also gives you another spect with whom to play.

It’s also important to line up your Plan B spects. These are friends or family members who are willing to fill in if you need a last-minute replacement. This way, if a spect cancels or doesn’t show up, you still have a few people who are willing to fill in on short notice.

The day before

The day before training, send reminders to your spects. Once again, include directions, parking info, and your contact number. Ask people to confirm that they’ve received your message.

When setting up a training with people you don’t know, be safe. Have a friend with you. A fellow inter-actor is a good choice. If you each have recruited a spect, this also gives you another person with whom to play.

The day of

Your phone is an important way for spects to reach you if anything comes up. Make sure it’s fully charged and that you’ve got good signal in the place where you’ll be training.

If you haven’t received confirmation from the email you sent the day before, ask again for spects to confirm. If you don’t get a response, start reaching out to your Plan B spects.

When spects arrive

When they show up, spects are often nervous. Make them welcome. Show them where the restrooms are. Offer them a place to sit and some water to drink. Engage in small talk. The goal is to make them feel as comfortable as possible before they start to play.

If the rehearsal involves activities where there’s a possibility of physical strain or injury, have spects sign a waiver of liability. If the rehearsal will be recorded for viewing by more than the cast and crew, have spects complete a media release. Legal documentation is an important way to protect all involved. Sample waivers and releases can be found in the book, Vignette Production Files.

Deliver a portal

Once spects have settled in, explain how things work by giving them a portal. The portal sets guidelines for how to play. The main thing for them to understand is that they’ll be playing scenes with you. Beyond that, there are three key points:

1. Co-create – make up as much (or as little) as you like.
2. Be real – there’s no need to be funny or clever.
3. It’s fiction – feel free to play as someone other than you.

After setting guidelines, answer any questions that spects might have. Be clear that they are free to play in whatever way they like.

When expectations are set and questions are answered, spects are better prepared to play.

Play time

Give an introduction to the scenario you’re about to play, but don’t say too much. Share only what the spect would know if they were at a show. This might be just the title of the scenario. Explain that the scene starts when you call “Curtain” and ends when you call “Scene.”

Then call “curtain” and play the scenario.

When the scene is over, acknowledge the spect. They’re often worried that they didn’t do a good job. Reassure them with a nod and a friendly look. Spects may want to talk about their experience, but don’t get into a big discussion. Let them know that they can share their thoughts during the debrief that comes later.

Spect debrief

After you’re done playing, the spect debrief is the time for spects to share thoughts about their experiences. This is beneficial for them and for you. When spects reflect on their experience, they gain perspectives that they didn’t have while in the midst of play. For you, it clarifies what spects were thinking and feeling while playing. For more of the debrief process, see How to debrief spects.

As spects depart

After the debrief, accompany spects as they exit the building. Listen to what they say. Now that they’re no longer on the spot, spects may share thoughts that didn’t occur to them during the debrief.

When you get to the exit, thank spects for playing and make sure they can safely get where they’re going. If you’re mounting a show, ask if they’d like to be notified. Spects who help you out in training often want to come back and see the performance.

The day after

The last step is a small gesture that makes a big impact. The day after the training, send a brief thank you to spects for having played. This makes them more likely to become involved in the future, whether playing as spects or coming to see your shows.

Summary

Here’s a checklist of things to remember when working with rehearsal spects

• Recruiting spects
• Get their name, phone, and email.
• Send them the date, time, directions, parking information, and your contact info.
• Line up Plan B spects as backups.
• The day before
• Send a reminder and request a confirmation reply.
• If there’s no reply, alert your Plan B spects.
• As spects arrive
• Welcome spects and make them feel comfortable.
• If spects don’t show by the start time, reach out to them.
• If necessary, invite your Plan B spects to come play.
• Deliver a portal
• Co-create – they can make up as much as they like.
• Be real – they don't need to be funny or clever.
• It’s fiction – they can play as themselves or not themselves.
• Answer their questions.
• Play time
• Only share what spects need to know about the scenario.
• Explain starting with “curtain” and ending with “scene.”
• Play.
• Spect debrief
• Spects share their experiences.
• As spects depart
• Walk spects to the door.
• Thank them for playing.
• Make sure they can get where they’re going safely.
• Let them know about upcoming shows.
• The day after
• Send spects a thank you for having played.