Embodying Story with Emily Terndrup: A Workshop in Immersive Performance & Physical Storytelling
The world of live performance is evolving, and immersive theatre is at the forefront of this transformation. Audiences are no longer content to be passive spectators—they crave experiences that feel visceral, personal, and deeply affecting. As performers and creators, how do we harness the power of physicality to tell compelling stories in shared spaces where the lines between performer and audience blur? How do we craft performances that feel both exhilarating and safe, inviting audiences into the world we build while respecting their agency and consent? In this dynamic, hands-on workshop, choreographer and director Emily Terndrup—a veteran of immersive theatre performance and creation—will guide participants through the essential tools, techniques, and considerations for creating impactful, proximity-based performance. We’ll begin with a movement-intensive session, focusing on how to activate the full, three-dimensional potential of our bodies. Through exercises in proximity, projection, and spatial awareness, we’ll explore how physicality can shape character, deepen emotional expression, and create powerful, wordless storytelling. We’ll examine how gesture, touch, and energy can invite audiences into our world, offering them a role in the narrative without words.
From large-scale productions to intimate one-on-one encounters, we’ll unpack the art of guiding audiences through immersive experiences—crafting moments of tension, release, and transformation. How do we embody our characters with authenticity in close quarters? How can movement tell a story as powerfully as text? And how do we balance creative risk with audience comfort and consent?Whether you’re an experienced performer, a circus artist, a dancer, a theatre-maker, or simply someone eager to explore the potential of immersive storytelling, this work-shop welcomes all who are curious. Join us for physical exploration, creative discovery, and deep engagement with the art of embodied performance. Open to all levels of experience.