The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

In interactive performance, spects are co-creators of the story. When they initiate offers on their own, spects are activated. Some spects are fully activated from the get go. They’re saying and doing things all on their own. However, most spects have some degree of hesitation. Here are ways to activate spects when you need to.

Verbal activation

You get spects saying things by creating opportunities for them to speak.

One thought, one sentence – If you’re talking too much, spects don’t have room to speak. Communicate your thought in one sentence, then be quiet and allow room for the spect to contribute.

Ask a question – Questions invite spects to speak. Here are a couple of types of questions that are easy for spects to answer.

Topic question – This is a question that can be answered from general life experience without requiring specialized knowledge.

Perspective question – It’s easy for spects to express a point of view. A perspective question allows spects to share what they think or feel about something.

If the spect’s answer is brief, you can go deeper with a follow-up question.

Echo question – Repeating an element of what the spect said can elicit a more complete answer.

“How are things at the office?” “They’re fine.” “Fine?” “Yeah. Things are just busy, that’s all.”

Why question – A simple and effective way to get more details is to follow up with the question, “Why?”

“Is Claire coming home for the weekend?” “No.” “Why?” “She’s doing a semester at sea.”

Make a statement – Sometimes all you need to do is state something and then be silent. See what the spect has to say in response.

Physical activation

It’s important to get spects doing things too. When they are physically engaged, spects don’t worry so much about what to say.

When physically activating spects, avoid telling them what to do. Instructions get spects active, but it conditions them to wait for further instructions. The point of activation is to get spects initiating offers on their own.

Backleading – A better alternative to instructing is backleading. Get spects to do things without telling them what to do. It gives spects a sense of agency when they initiate actions on their own. Here are some ways to backlead.

Reverse scalpel – In a medical drama, the doctor calls for the scalpel, an assistant puts the scalpel in the doctor’s hand, and the doctor performs the operation. In interactive performance, you identify a need, a tool that addresses the need, and the spect is the one who performs the action.

As Carly hangs up decorations, she says to the spect, “The birthday cake is on the counter and the candles are right beside it.” The spect picks up the candles, but pauses. Carly continues, “It’s hard to believe that our little girl is already turning five years old.” The spect nods and begins to place five candles on the cake.

Modeling – Spects sometimes need to see an action demonstrated before they’ll do it themselves. When you model an action, it’s easier for spects to understand what they need to do.

Lenny and the spect are about to enter an exclusive private casino. The bouncer motions to Lenny, who steps forward and raises his arms. The bouncer pats Lenny down for weapons, then motions to the spect, who steps forward and raises his arms without any need for instruction.

Reward with strokes

When spects say or do things—reward them with a stroke. A stroke is any form of positive reinforcement for a behavior you want to encourage. This increases spects’ confidence which causes them to initiate more offers on their own. Here are ways to reward spects with strokes.

Follow the spect – Go along with the intention of the spect’s offer. If you resist or block, it makes spects feel like they’ve said or done something wrong.

Amplify and build – Spects feel like they’ve done the right thing when you build on their offer with more details or amplify it by giving it more emotional weight.

Acknowledge the spect – A stroke can be as simple as a look, a nod, a touch, or a subtle smile. Anything that makes spects feel seen and heard can serve as a stroke.

To be effective, a stroke should be subtle and immediate. If you wait too long, the stroke no longer rewards the offer. If it’s too extreme, a stroke feels patronizing. Keep strokes subtle and subliminal.

Give and take

Activating spects requires good give and take—a back and forth between you and the spect. If you make too many offers in a row, spects are less inclined to make contributions. After you’ve made an offer, wait for a response.

It may seem that the spect isn’t going to do anything, but wait until it feels uncomfortable. Then wait a few seconds more. This additional time is often the time when the spect will respond. As uncomfortable as waiting is for you, it’s even more so for the spect. That’s what motivates the spect to say or do something.

It also helps to hold an internal expectation that the spect will have a response. Waiting with expectation encourages spects to contribute. When the spect responds, deliver a stroke and make your next offer. The give and take has begun.

If the spect doesn’t respond

Sometimes you’ll do everything right and the spect still says or does practically nothing. If this happens, here are some things you can do.

Make physical contact – Spects get inhibited when they’re stuck in their heads. They’re not sure what to do or they’re afraid of doing something wrong. You can get spects out of their heads by making physical contact. When people are touched, a different part of the brain lights up. Physical contact gets spects out of their heads and into their bodies.

Clarify the context – Another thing that keeps spects from contributing is uncertainty about who’s who and what’s going on. If the spect looks unsure, consider what might be unclear and answer the unspoken question. Make sure that the relationships and activity are explicitly clear.

Reinterpret unconscious offers – When spects do nothing, you can reinterpret their unconscious offers as intentional behaviors. Treat spects facial expressions and body postures as responses. Don’t let your interpretation be one that puts them in a bad light. Assume that it’s appropriate and correct. This allows spects to make successful contributions without doing anything. The success makes it easier for spects to intentionally respond the next time.

The spect answers the doorbell. Standing at the door is Mario. “Hey, June. Wow. Your prom dress looks great.” June just stands there, but says nothing. Mario interprets her silence as though she’s waiting for something. “Oh, right.” He holds up a small box in his hand. “I got you a wrist corsage like you asked. I hope it’s OK.” June looks at the corsage, then holds out her hand. Mario slips it onto her wrist, then looks to June expectantly. After a few seconds, June responds quietly. “Thank you.” Mario lets out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you like it. I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

A word of warning: When interpreting unconscious behaviors, don’t focus on spects’ nervousness. Reinterpret anxious behaviors as some other type of emotion.

Spects need to feel confident about saying and doing things. Create opportunities for spects to initiate offers and reward them when they do. Once spects are activated, they become your co-creators.