Theater and Community

What is theater? At its core, theater is a powerful medium of storytelling that creates a shared experience. It’s a space where audiences come together to witness stories that spark emotion, provoke thought, and, at its best, evoke moments of deep connection and insight. Audiences share this emotional journey together, seated shoulder to shoulder, as actors fully inhabit their roles, bringing characters to life in ways that can be both physical and emotional. This collective experience is what makes theater such a unique and captivating art form.

But what happens when the curtain falls? The actors take their bows, the lights dim, and the audience gradually leaves the performance space. Often, the connection begins to fade, and that once-powerful sense of shared experience slips away. Audiences might grab a drink at a favorite post-show spot like the Biltmore Hotel bar in Los Angeles or Café Un Deux Trois in New York, but eventually, they drift back into their everyday routines.

Eloise Coopersmith, playwright and star of the immersive rom-com My (Unauthorized) Hallmark Movie Musical, noticed something unique during the early versions of her show. Her audiences didn’t want to leave. They lingered in the theater long after the final bow, chatting, laughing, and reflecting on the story they had just experienced. Eloise recognized this desire for deeper connection, and together with director David Ihrig, she saw an opportunity to extend the magic beyond the stage.

The pair got creative, searching for a way to enhance the post-show experience and keep the audience engaged. That’s when they turned to Immersion’s Value Measurement technology, a groundbreaking tool that measures emotional and mental engagement in real time. Together, Eloise and David designed an innovative solution to connect theatergoers on a deeper level, long after the performance had ended.

Immersive theater is all about breaking the traditional boundaries between performers and audience, and My (Unauthorized) Hallmark Movie Musical is no exception. But Eloise and David took it a step further. They didn’t just create a show—they created an experience that allowed the audience to become active participants in the emotional journey. Leveraging Immersion’s technology, they set up interactive stations at the theater’s bar, where audience members could engage in conversation after the show.

Using the SIX app, audience members participated in discussions prompted by scenarios related to the performance. Each person’s emotional connection to the questions was tracked through Value Scores, a real-time measurement of how much the content resonated. When a question hit home, scores spiked; when it didn’t, they dipped. This data, displayed through the app, sparked lively debates and deep conversations as people shared their real-time emotional responses.

What happened next was incredible. Not only did the audience stay engaged long after the final curtain, but they became part of a shared, collective experience where emotional connection was at the center. When Value Scores aligned, conversations turned into affirmations of shared feelings; when they diverged, discussions deepened as people explored differing perspectives. This innovative approach to immersive theater created an entirely new way for audiences to connect—not just with the story, but with each other.

This effort didn’t just end with the theater. Thanks to Eloise’s innovative vision and David’s creative direction, audience members were able to continue their emotional journey even after they left the venue. By offering a free premium version of SIX, theatergoers had the opportunity to explore their own emotional fitness beyond the performance. With SIX, users can track the mental and emotional impact of their everyday experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of what truly resonates with them.

My (Unauthorized) Hallmark Movie Musical didn’t just entertain—it created an ongoing, immersive experience that lived beyond the stage. This production exemplifies how immersive theater can use technology to enhance emotional connection, allowing creators to push boundaries and transform audience engagement.

Eloise Coopersmith’s innovative approach is a shining example of what’s possible in immersive theater. Her collaboration with David Ihrig and their use of Immersion’s Value Measurement technology has set a new standard for how audiences can stay connected long after the curtain falls. Together, they didn’t just build a production—they built a community, one where emotional connection was at the heart of every conversation.

Interested in experiencing it for yourself? Download the SIX app for free today and start exploring how immersive experiences can impact your emotional fitness. Whether you’re watching a show, attending an event, or simply going through your day, SIX helps you understand what resonates deeply, allowing you to create your own journey toward emotional well-being.

So, bravo, Eloise and David! Here’s your well-deserved bouquet of roses. 💐

Interested in measuring and maintaining your own emotional fitness? Download the SIX app for free today!