What is this guide?

This document gives you an overview of the audience interaction for Opera Philadelphia’s 2022 production of The Raven by Toshio Hosakawa. 

What is The Raven?

The Raven is two experiences in one! It’s a co-production between Opera Philadelphia and Obvious Agency, a local worker-owned cooperative that creates games and interactive performances. The first half of the performance is an interactive theatrical performance that takes place in multiple rooms in the Miller Theater. After the first half, audiences will be guided to their seats where the operatic second half will begin. All audiences will experience both halves.

What do you mean by interactive?

During the first half of the performance, the audience will be split into six sections, each of which will have different experiences. You might be asked to sit and watch, to move around, to answer questions, to complete tasks, or play games, all facilitated by the performers. Here’s what to expect across the entire experience:

• The performers can see you, speak to you, and will react to you

• You can always say, “No” to interacting if you don’t want to participate

• The performance happens in a variety of rooms throughout the building.

• You will be able to select the level of interactivity you want to experience. Note that tickets for High Interactivity are limited, whereas Low Interactivity are not.

Interactivity Levels

Low Participation could involve: No to light movement. Conversations between audience members and performers. Audience may be asked to make simple gestures or sounds. Light physical touch, with consent, may be initiated between performers and audience or between audience members. Seating will be available to anyone who needs it.

High Participation could involve: Moving around non-ADA accessible spaces, including climbing stairs. Spaces may have small tripping hazards or other environmental hazards that need to be navigated with care. Light to moderate physical touch, with consent, may be initiated between performers and audience or between audience members. Audience may accomplish physical and creative tasks based on performer direction. Elements of collaborative or competitive gameplay may be incorporated. 

How do I pick Low Participation or High Participation? 

Sometime before the performance, you will receive a short survey via the email you used to book your tickets. Audience members will be sorted upon arrival based on availability and survey response. Our goal is to allow as many people into the High Participation areas as possible, but space is limited and not guaranteed.  If you feel you missed the survey, please contact Opera Philadelphia at 215-732-8400 or email us at tix@operaphila.org so we can record your interest.

Saying “No”

If you don’t want to participate, that’s ok! At any point during the performance, you can say no to interaction with a performer by making an X with your arms, doing the same gesture but with just one arm, or just saying, “No, thank you.”

Performer Safety

Every performer you encounter during the performance is a person with a right to maintain their own safety!

• Do not touch performers unless they have invited physical contact. 

• If a performer says, “No” or asks you not to do something, do not do it. Audience members who do not follow these requests will be escorted out of the performance.

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Below here the document contains “spoilers” (information related to the content and plot of the performance). For questions about what is included here please contact Opera Philadelphia at 215-732-8400 or email us at tix@operaphila.org.

Please note that we cannot guarantee all of the content of the performance since audience members will be interacting. The content warnings below reflect the decisions made by the creative team. Content may also change over time, and this document will be updated accordingly.

General Content Warnings: This performance will deal with topics of grief, the death of a partner, and discussion of the afterlife.

Performance Overview: In the first half of The Raven, the audience will meet multiple people all claiming to be the same person named Lenore. “Lenore” needs to reassemble and make sense of the many versions of themself, and will be asking the audience to help in that process. Each Lenore will need something different, and guide their audience on a unique journey.

More Specific Content Warnings: More specific content warnings and what to expect from interaction will be added into this document closer to the performance.