The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Next to the fear of being judged, the biggest obstacle to spects’ ability to play is not understanding what’s going on. This is to be expected. Spects start off not knowing much about the story. They’re discovering it as they go along. If they don’t understand who someone is or what’s going on, it’s hard to play. It’s doubly-difficult when there’s no reason for their character to ask for clarification. To support spects, you need the ability to recognize and answer their unspoken questions.

When you play with spects, be aware of what might be unclear, and address the question before it needs to be asked. Spects’ uncertainty may show up as a “deer in the headlights” expression or as a hesitation to respond.

April and Agnes (the spect) are standing together at a wedding reception. April looks across the hall. “Oh no. Don’s here!” Agnes knows she’s heard Don’s name before, but doesn’t remember who he is. She doesn’t respond and looks uncertain. April recognizes the question in Agnes’ mind and continues, “I can’t believe that he’d show up at his ex-wife’s wedding.”

Keep your radar on high alert when you’re acting on an assumption that isn’t explicitly clear to spects. When you start in the middle, make oblique or undefined offers, or reference things that require specialized knowledge, note how the spect responds, and be ready to clarify.

Answering the unspoken question doesn’t mean repeating what you’ve already said or done. Add new and relevant information. Don’t be shy about being explicit. It’s better to be obvious so that spects can play.

Not all uncertainty is bad. Part of the fun of interactive performance is discovering the story as it gradually unfolds. If spects play well with ambiguity, play on! When it impedes their ability to participate, answer the unspoken question.