Experimenting with storytelling: Hayden Honomichl’s senior seminar production
Experimenting with storytelling: Hayden Honomichl’s senior seminar production
A reflection on the creative process behind Honomichl’s immersive theater production.
Last week as a part of his senior project, Hayden Honomichl put on an interactive, self-directed theater production. Honomichl is a senior, communication arts major, with a special interest in theater and theater research. This production functioned as a unique way to combine communication and theater interests, as well as a way to collect data for his project.
The musical performed was the story of a relationship over the course of five years. In last week's shows Honomichl played the lead male, and Sophie Girtz played alongside him as the other lead.
The story of this marriage and divorce was told through a unique storytelling device — Honomichl’s character, Jamie, gave his version of the story from beginning to end, while Girtz’s character, Cathy, recited the events from end to beginning. This allowed for a wide range of emotional scenes, as well as a multitude of opportunities for creative storytelling by the director. The stark contrast of emotions between the two actors made space for powerful, thought-provoking moments.
When asked about his experience being both a director and actor, Honomichl spoke about the challenges and excitement of this process: “for such a small show it was relatively easy to direct yourself and another person, but I wouldn’t want to be in a managing and performing role simultaneously. It has taught me more about creative ideas. Yeah, I can perform, but at the end of the day I found more of a love of directing and creative processes like that.”
Honomichl adapted the show to fit with his senior research project, which is focused on audience interaction in plays and musicals, and the effects audience participation has on storytelling. Audience inclusion isn’t common in theater, and this was addressed in the creative process.
“I want them to see something new, a lot of people haven't experienced immersive theater like this before,” said Honomichl. “People are used to a fine line between audience and performer. If they don’t take anything away, it’s a lot more about just experiencing something new.”
Audience members who participated in the show will have an opportunity to answer questions regarding their experience with the process, allowing for an in-depth analysis of the immersive storytelling process.