From Nov. 6 to Nov. 24, Santa Fe-based theatrical group Exodus Ensemble went on tour in Albuquerque with its interactive, immersive sci-fi production, “ZERO.” The Exodus Ensemble, which typically specializes in immersive theater with a focus on audience interaction, held its shows at Chatter.
ZERO follows four characters — or players — who have been placed into a game by a sentient, murderous, humanoid artificial intelligence named Daisy. Only one will make it out. At the beginning of the show, audience members pick a player to support, then compete in simple mini-games to win points to help their character be the one to survive.
The players include Ryan Kirby as Zero, the scientist who created Daisy; Patrick Agada as Tony, the CEO of the company that Zero works for; Tiff Abreu as Leif, Zero’s wife and the chief of marketing; and Kevin Kelly as Shru, a custodian.
The show’s unique format creates heightened tension, Kelly said.
“There is something about the fourth wall being broken, the fact that you're actually present with the action, that I think is pretty rare in traditional theater,” Kelly said. “It's pretty intense, and it's asking for a lot more trust to really go places with people. And I think ultimately what I want to create … is a lot of intimacy, vulnerability and community.”
Exodus does not charge for tickets, instead asking for donations after a performance. Kya Brickhouse, special events coordinator and one of the founding ensemble members, said that the donation model is meant to keep theater equitable and inclusive by preventing paywalls that keep people out.
Kirby said that getting the audience involved in the show is the most difficult part of creating the immersive theater.
In his role, Kirby spoke with an Irish accent. Kirby has Irish heritage and it’s something he’s always wanted to explore, he said.
“We were making the show, and I'm like, ‘Fuck it, I'm just gonna try it,’” Kirby said. “And then everyone was like, ‘I think that's right. I think it makes sense if he's on a different plane culturally than other characters.’”
Since the Exodus Ensemble began in the wake of the pandemic in 2020, the team has created six shows in total, according to its website.
The ensemble’s other shows include BATHSHEBA, a retelling of the biblical David and Bathsheba story set in a modern day cult; JAYSON, set in the cutthroat world of the Los Angeles music industry where audiences judge Jayson’s choices; DEATHCOOKIE, a moving murder mystery in a train car that departs and returns to the Sante Fe Depot; HAMLET, a revenge drama featuring the supernatural; and IVANOV, a comedic drama about two families sprinting away from grief, debt and responsibility, according to its website.
Nate Bernard is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @natebernard14
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Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
