out of the box

Out of the Box is a hybrid theater-AR game that brings live art, gaming and healing into one space.

Plot Summary

Needing to re-evaluate her career and life’s direction after being denied tenure, rising star assistant professor Em Wong signs up for a high-stakes virtual reality game to shake up her life. To win the game, she must free herself of nine energy cords that hold embedded memories of the past. Along the way her ancestors appear to serve as guides. However, their presence also complicates the game. When Em realizes how she plays the game alters the rules, she begins to question who is making the rules. As she progresses through each level, Em must figure out if she’s ready to let go of old narratives that keep her stuck or step into her true calling. Em must ultimately face herself and decide what true winning looks like.

accolades

Out of the Box has received two developmental grants (Theater Bay Area, 2019; San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artist Grant 2021). It has also received a staged reading at the Magic Theater in San Francisco (2022) produced by TigerBear Productions.

Playwright Amy Grace Lam with Creative Director Laur and Sound Designer Adria Otte at the first staged reading of Out of the Box at Magic Theatre, SF in 2022

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read an excerpt

BAH-DEE

We have less than five minutes to integrate and deal with this situation and you’re avoiding your problems like you always do!

EM

What do you mean? Excuse me, you don’t know me. You’re a f-ing avatar. I picked you, remember?

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