For many gamers, the thrill of diving into the intricate worlds of tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons is far more appealing than heading to the theater.
The notion of engaging in a rich universe crafted by imagination and chance is invigorating, but the Philly theater company Obvious Agency is turning this idea on its head with their ambitious production, ‘Space Opera.’
This immersive experience spans three Saturdays and lasts for a total of 21 hours, inviting audience members to step into the role of gamers.
Instead of merely watching a performance, participants will form planetary societies and confront a myriad of challenges in a galaxy-spanning tabletop game that marries theatrical elements such as costumes, lighting, video, and live actors.
The unique twist? There’s even a live funk band!
Ari Gass, an assistant professor of digital media at Drexel University and a co-founder of Obvious Agency, defines their mission: ‘Game-based theater is what we strive to do.’
Gass elaborates, ‘We’re designing systems as a game designer would, supported by theatrical magic that includes improvisational themes and lighting.’
A crucial aspect of ‘Space Opera’ is that although it unfolds over three seven-hour sessions on June 14, 21, and 28, each Saturday stands alone.
Anyone interested can choose to participate as an active player or simply spectate, akin to the excitement found in watching online gaming tournaments. And yes, food will be available throughout the event.
Gass reassures potential participants: ‘We’ve set the scene for the galaxy and the universe, but we cannot predict how day one will end. We have a structure and rules we’ll follow to create a compelling experience.’
Daniel Park, another co-founder and game designer, shares insights on the underlying mechanics of the performance: ‘We like the idea that games are like systems — like an algebra equation. Every audience member provides a unique ‘x’ and receives a unique ‘y.’
This dynamic allows participants to experience the consequences of their decisions in a safe and playful environment.
In ‘Space Opera,’ audience members are organized into planetary groups that must work together to navigate serious and looming crises. As dice are rolled, situations evolve, allowing players to build relationships with one another and with performers as they strive to save the universe.
Beyond entertainment, ‘Space Opera’ aims for a more profound purpose.
Park states, ‘We live in a world that is designed to make everyday working folks as passive as possible, to exhaust us, to distract us, and to keep us fighting with one another. Our work seeks to empower individuals and foster community.’
Gass adds further context: ‘Given the current moment we’re in, this empowerment is more crucial than ever. We need to learn how to collaborate and make collective decisions, as the alternative is a reality of single-person decision-making — something we are witnessing now.’
He continues, ‘How do we teach or build the skill of consensus? We know that skill is highly relevant in our lives today. What if group organizing and consensus meetings could be a game?’
Obvious Agency’s ‘Space Opera’ is built upon the principles of the ‘Theatre of the Oppressed,’ a Brazilian movement designed to empower audiences, transforming them from mere spectators into ‘spect-actors.’
The production coincides with the growing trend of experiential theater, though Obvious Agency critiques the conventional approach often labeled as immersive theater. Gass asserts, ‘Too often, what passes for immersive theater confines the audience to predetermined patterns crafted by others.’
In stark contrast, audience decisions in ‘Space Opera’ will shape the narrative flow, embodying the concept of ‘playable theater.’
Gass asserts, ‘The traditional theater model is unsustainable and inaccessible. People are eager for community-building experiences rather than sitting passively in a darkened theater, which may reflect the influences of the video-game generation.’
Additionally, the timing of ‘Space Opera’ aligns with NarraScope, an event at Drexel University focusing on narrative games happening during the production run. Though sold out, remote registration options are available for those interested in attending the conference, which runs from June 20 to June 22.
image source from：https://billypenn.com/2025/06/11/obvious-agency-space-opera-preview/
