Based in San Jose, California, Perspicuum is a unique company focused on creating immersive, introspective, and innovative works of performance art. Crafting both in-person and virtual experiences, Perspicuum is currently running a social media and phone-based production – A Quiet Walk.
I was honored to be invited to attend one of last weekend’s showings of A Quiet Walk. A one-on-one, interactive experience; A Quiet Walk is an intensely emotional production – full of vulnerable interactions, unsettling moments, and deeply engaging conversations. Thank you, Perspicuum, for having me out!
*Due to the thoughtful and reflective nature of Perspicuum’s productions, it is important to maintain the secrecy of the details and plot points of A Quiet Walk. There are no spoilers in this article.*
About Perspicuum
Pushing the boundaries of immersive theater, Perspicuum creates remarkable in-person and virtual productions that challenge audience perceptions and attitudes. Unlike more traditional experiences, Perspicuum does not ask its guests to take on a specific persona or “role” in their shows. Instead, participants are asked to be completely themselves and to allow the story to reveal their hidden strengths and unknown weaknesses. It’s definitely an out-of-the-box take on this type of performance art, and I love it!
Last fall, I was delighted to participate in Perspicuum’s Perfection – a profoundly personal phone-based show exploring audience members’ positive and negative self-concepts. If you’d like to read more about this past production, read my Perfection article here.
For more information about the Perspicuum company and their riveting performances; visit perspicuumimmersive.com. For future show announcements and their latest updates, follow Perspicuum on Instagram and Facebook.
About A Quiet Walk
Written and performed by Thomas Darknell, A Quiet Walk uses a combination of social media messaging and a live telephone conversation to create its compelling story. While I will not be giving away any spoilers, I will tell you that A Quiet Walk is an intense and, potentially, a very raw emotional experience. Unlike many other Perspicuum productions, A Quiet Walk is NOT a horror show. Instead it is a thoughtful drama, requiring active participation and engagement from its audience.
What You Need To Know About A Quiet Walk
In order to make the most of your experience, there are some things you should know about A Quiet Walk. First of all, this show lasts approximately three hours. No, I am not exaggerating. While you will not be actively on the phone the entire time, you should be prepared to engage in this experience for an entire evening.
You may be asked to walk during this production. It is recommended that you choose a specific location about thirty minutes away from your starting point. When you arrive, sit down and continue your conversation.
This show requires and expects active participation from its audience. You will be asking and answering questions.
A Quiet Walk may trigger unpleasant emotional reactions. A full list of warnings is available upon request, however, it is recommended that participants proceed without them if at all possible.
Because A Quiet Walk is such an emotionally charged and potentially distressing experience, Thomas Darknell offers decompression phone calls after every performance. Keep your eyes on your Instagram DM’s for this invitation. I can tell you that I have personally found these calls to be a very helpful reset after such an intense production, and I am very thankful that he offers this option.
How To Take A Quiet Walk
Due to the individual nature (and sheer length) of this show, spots are extremely limited. If you are interested in participating in A Quiet Walk, you fill first need to fill out the online application form.
Freaky Thoughts: A Quiet Walk
Exceptionally raw and unforgettably gut-wrenching, Perspicuum has once again created an unmatched performance experience. A Quiet Walk is an unflinching look at interpersonal relationships and individual heartbreak. Thomas Darknell has a remarkable artistic ability to evoke specific emotions within his audience members, and this show is an incredible example of that talent.
Because of its difficult subject matter and emotionally taxing format, A Quiet Walk may not be for all audiences. But if you appreciate immersive performance art and are prepared to explore a few painful subjects (potentially even from your own life), do not miss A Quiet Walk!
Keep in Touch with Perspicuum
Perspicuum is always developing new, immersive performance experiences. To stay updated on future performance dates or other shows by Perspicuum, make sure to visit their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook!
