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On March 23, the Vortex Repertory Company opens the most ambitious production in its 30-year history: Performance Park, an immersive theatrical adventure that engages audience members in a choose-your-own-adventure scavenger hunt that spreads across the entire Vortex compound. More than 70 artists have collaborated on the show, which draws inspiration from the Tarot. These images were taken during one of the final dress rehearsals. Here, Alex Cogburn as Fool jumps for joy at the prospect of the park’s opening as the Queen of Swords (Oktavea Williams) looks on. -
The 28 performers, dozens of production team members, and Vortex Artistic Director Bonnie Cullum gather on the Midway of Performance Park. Do they see the audience headed their way? -
Vortex Artistic Director Bonnie Cullum (r), who conceived of Performance Park after a dream she had, stands with Baba Yaga, embodied by Vortex Managing Director Melissa Vogt. -
Cullum (l) with the Empress (Tiffany Nicely-Williams, top) and the Celestials: (l-r) Gaia (Michelé Crowder), Sun (Mary Ochoa), Star (Sandie Donzica), and Moon (Lori Navarrette) -
Cullum giving direction to her Celestials before rehearsing their dance -
Cullum stands in the Hermit’s Lair, a new outdoor space behind the Butterfly Bar created for Performance Park. -
The Hermit herself, as embodied by Heidi Penix -
Just weeks before this shot was taken, the Hermit’s Lair for Performance Park was a patch of poison ivy. -
On the Midway with (l-r) the Emperor (Gabriel Maldonado), the Hierophant (Eryn Gettys), Death (Content Love Knowles), and Knight of Wands (Ali Marie Stuckey) -
God save the Queens (bottom to top): the Queen of Wands (Annie Kim Hendrick), the Queen of Pentacles (Susan Bennett), and the Queen of Cups (Jennifer Coy Jennings) -
Everyone gets a dance with the Empress (Tiffany Nicely-Williams). -
An embrace between the Empress (Tiffany Nicely-Williams) and Gaia (Michelé Crowder) -
A Performance Park cheer -
Temperance (Patricia Wappner) mixes up some magic. -
Performance Park costume designer Pam Fletcher Friday -
As citizens arrive at the Performance Park, they have the opportunity to costume themselves inside the Lovers’ Parlor. Offering feedback to a citizen here is the Fool (Alex Cogburn), with musical accompaniment by Knight of Wands (Ali Marie Stuckey). -
Strolling out of Baba Yaga’s hut (also known as the Vortex Pony Shed) is Wheel of Fortune (Sam Grimes). -
Managing an evening-long immersive event like Performance Park requires a small army of crew members and technicians to keep track of who’s doing what where and when. -
In the Chariot’s Lounge (actually a corner of the Butterfly Bar), the Devil (Trey Deason) takes the mic, observed by (l-r) Wheel of Fortune (Jesus Valles), Knight of Wands (Ali Marie Stuckey), Strength (Kristin DeGroot), Chariot (Tyler Mabry), Death (Content Love Knowles), and Wheel of Fortune (Sam Grimes). -
Have we stumbled into the Magician’s Sanctum? -
Inside the Lovers’ Parlor, more citizens get dressed for Performance Park with guidance from the Lovers (Traci Laird at far left and Marliza Mendez at far right). -
Inside the Lovers’ Parlor, more citizens get dressed for Performance Park with guidance from one of the Lovers (Traci Laird). -
Inside the Lovers’ Parlor, more citizens get dressed for Performance Park with guidance from one of the Lovers (Traci Laird). -
At the Tower, citizens can converse with … the Tower (Andy Agne)! -
Pro tip for the Performance Park Midway: Don’t try to cheat Death (Content Love Knowles). -
More fun and games on the Performance Park Midway -
Pro tip for the Performance Park Midway: Don’t try to cheat Death (Content Love Knowles). -
On the Midway, a test of strength and judgement with Strength (l) (Kristen DeGroot) and Judgement (Toni Baum) -
Watching the Wheel of Fortune turn are Wheel of Fortune (Jesus Valles, left), Devil (Trey Deason), and Wheel of Fortune (Sam Grimes). -
Temperance (Patricia Wappner) is consulted by some citizens. -
Who’s inside Baba Yaga’s hut? Probably Baba Yaga (Melissa Vogt), in which case you go see first. -
Who’s inside Baba Yaga’s hut? Probably Baba Yaga (Melissa Vogt), in which case you go see first. -
A citizen consults the Hermit (Heidi Penix) in her lair. -
Paying a visit to the Hermit can mean crossing a water hazard. -
Performance Park after the sun goes down becomes another world. -
Alex Cogburn as Fool bids you farewell, but encourages you to come back to Performance Park soon.
Performance Park Preview at the Vortex
