A Must-See Horror Inspired Immersive Show
The creators of ‘I, PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE,’ Tristan Wells and Chris LeVan both attended Ithaca University in New York but re-connected after moving to L.A. to pursue their dreams as creatives.
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Show Overview
In the show, small audiences are admitted to a foreboding industrial meeting room. Filled with strange objects, they’re encouraged to explore the space to gain clues about the upcoming events. For the next hour, they will feel as if they’re trapped in the twisted world of a psychotic political fanatic. Only by delving deeper into the rabbit hole can they unlock the secrets of his organization and maybe escape alive. Strobe lights, fog, and other special effects will be integral in inducing terror and amazement. Audience participation will be highly encouraged throughout, allowing participants to not only consume the experience visually, but through every sense.
What is your background in the Arts?
Chris: I have been involved in Theater since I was 15. I double majored in Drama and Sociology at Ithaca University, and after graduating, I decided to pursue film. I then moved out to L.A. to work in a movie studio as a Sales Assistant, but was not doing anything creative, so I left that job and ended up producing my first show in L.A. a few years ago called ‘Podcast,’ which was a success at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Tristan: I majored in Communications so I am very familiar with marketing and development, but I also took a lot of sculpture classes in college. I eventually started working as a Production Assistant but ended up working with the Art Department, which developed some fantastic connections that lead me to where I am today.
What is I Pledge Allegiance and how did you come up with the concept?
Tristan: After some time, we decided to bring elements of ancient Egypt, classic horror movies and dark comedy into our show. We didn’t want to alienate anybody so our concept essentially speaks against political fanaticism, which is the essence of our show.
What is it like being best friends who also work together?
Tristan: My background is very different from that of Chris’ and I think that is why we work so well together. With my experience being on set, I have taken the lead with special effects and prop work. I am definitely more on the experimental side and Chris is is more on the classic, Shakespearean side.
Chris: Tristan and I communicate very well and our personalities compliment each other. We essentially discussed the basic storyline together, came up with ideas and then I wrote the script, flushed out the characters and the dialogue. I have taken the role of directing, but at the end of the day, the show needs a solid creative, artistic vision, which is where Tristan comes in. He’s built these incredible props, and is also in charge of sound, lighting and overall set design. I also have more of a comedic aspect on things as to Tristan leans more towards horror and so the story is a mold of both of our ideas combined.
What has the response been like and what is your goal for the show?
Both: It’s been amazing. We had a workshop show this past March for our friends and family to test out the kinks of the show and it was a major success. We then had a few solid articles written about us which helped us tremendously. Each show is different and a lot of it revolves around improv. It’s roughly 45 minutes but there are pre-show things that also happen and we like blurring the lines between what is real and what is not. The mystery is incredibly important in this show. We love this medium because it’s so personal and intimate and it’s really starting to breakthrough now. The goal is to sell out so be sure to invite all your friends!
What’s the creative process like for you? Props, costumes, etc.
Tristan: There are a couple of resources and some of it comes from movie sets. I did lots of research on prop making but when it comes to props, it’s definitely a lot of ‘trial and error.’ In my experience, I’ve learned that it is ten times harder to execute an idea than to conceptualize one.
Why did you pick Art Share as your go to location?
Chris: We wanted a conventional theater with lights and the feel of the natural acoustics. Art Share has a soulfulness feeling of place that we really love.
What are you most excited about for this show?
Chris: Well, we’ve got some amazing actors we found via Backstage and we feel really lucky to have them be a part of our team. I want people to know that there are a lot of different elements involved; there is an escape room, there is a mythical Egyptian supernatural element as well as dark comedy. We love immersive theater because you are forced to be present and engaged the entire duration of the show.
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