(Long Beach, CA) A brand new production group, Tattered & Frayed creates a variety of original in-person experiences and virtual shows. Using Discord servers and innovative simulation techniques, Tattered & Frayed creates one-of-a-kind horror and fantasy-fueled stories and adventures. With their first productions debuting at the end of June 2024 (the in-person Shell Shocked and online Survivor), there’s still much to come from this growing group of artists.
We were so thrilled to be invited to experience Survivor, Tattered & Frayed’s very first Discord show. It was such a remarkable event, and we can’t wait to tell you about it. Thank you, Tattered & Frayed, for having us out!
About Tattered & Frayed
Based in Southern California, Tattered & Frayed is led by talented local and haunt professional Tim Elrod. A horror enthusiast with a penchant for fantastic and immersive tales, Tattered & Frayed promises a wide variety of subject matters, characters, and storylines for their never-before-seen engaging experiences. As we previously noted, their hit debut performances (Survivor and Shell Shocked) wrapped just last month. Let’s take a deeper look at these two shows:
Shell Shocked
An in-person, individual journey; Shell Shocked brought guests into a full-contact, extreme, and terrifying abduction scenario. Willing participants were pushed to their limits with pain simulations, psychological fear tactics, and other innovative fear measures. I was not able to get to California in time to personally experience Shell Shocked, however, I did get to speak to Tim about the show. It sounds like an unforgettable production, and I am so disappointed that I missed out on seeing it. I will definitely be attending their next in-person adventure.
Survivor
For those unwilling to participate in live shows or (like me) unable to attend due to distance or other time commitments, Tattered & Frayed produced the Discord-only Survivor. Using multiple channels, live chat features, and audio/video clips; guests played the part of police investigators interviewing the only survivor of a heinous crime. The show lasted approximately 45 minutes and included graphic descriptions of violence, gory imagery, and disturbing material.
Freaky Thoughts: Survivor
Unlike any virtual show I have seen before, Tattered & Frayed’s Survivor began before I ever logged into my Discord account. Several hours prior to showtime, I was asked to review multiple documents including “police reports,” “crime scene pictures,” and other records. This extra touch was a great way to prepare for the kind of themes and material used in the actual show.
When the appointed time arrived, I signed into my Discord server and found myself immersed in a personalized conversation with other “police” staff and the victim interviewee. I was given total freedom to ask whatever questions felt necessary as well as to make choices that would affect the course of the show. With video and audio “memories” punctuating the live chat interaction, it was a unique and engaging experience!
While I generally prefer in-person experiences to virtual shows, I was very impressed by the production value and intriguing storyline presented in Survivor. Its innovative storytelling methods and captivating character interactions made for a memorable production. I also really enjoyed the level of audience participation and individual impact on the story. Plus, using the live chat feature (as opposed to live video and audio) meant that my inner introvert was completely at ease during the entire show. I was able to interact according to my comfort level instead of the extra pressure of being on film.
In short, I very much enjoyed my Survivor experience. It was an impressive, fascinating, and well organized production. If you are a horror fan or theatre enthusiast, I recommend checking out Tattered & Frayed’s future shows!
Keep in Touch with Tattered & Frayed!
While the Survivor and Shell Shocked production runs have ended, we haven’t seen the last of Tattered & Frayed! Follow them on Instagram for more information about their innovative entertainment company as well as upcoming announcements for virtual and in-person performances.
