Imagine a night out to the theatre where you don’t sit on cushioned chairs, separated from the performers by a framework stage. Rather, you are completely immersed in the action, a movie happening all around you, where everything hinges on your reactions. This is the reality that immersive dance has created for audiences around the world. From outdoor site-specific pieces in every place imaginable, to virtual reality performances delivered digitally so everyone can enjoy them. Immersive art has found its footing in the dance scene. As this type of work becomes more mainstream, there are many companies dabbling in its inner workings. smART Magazine welcomes three companies tinkering in this dynamic space: Hit & Run Dance Productions, based in Toronto, who started their immersive creations in 2004; Blink Dance Theatre, based in Geelong, Australia, creating immersive pieces since 2013; and Cie Gilles Jobin, a Swiss company that began experimenting with virtual reality work in 2017.

Hit & Run Dance Productions

Anisa Tejpar and Jennifer Nichols have been creating immersive work for almost 20 years via Hit & Run Dance Productions, a company whose mission is to bring dance right to your doorstep. Hit & Run’s most recent and largest production, Haunted Cinema, was a live immersive drive-in experience combining theatrical and cinematic elements. Anisa and Jennifer share how they bring consistency to innovation and create opportunities for performers and audiences alike.