Thread: Interactive Theater at a Party

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So this year we are hosting a "Sleepy Hallow" themed party. We decided that since all three of us hosting and planning the event knew a wealth of actors and actresses that it would be cool to do some interactive theater. That way we could keep everyone involved with the theme and entertained while not forcing them to actively participate in a "scheduled activity" or dress within a theme that is most certainly challenging for the average person buying their costume from a WalMart.

Our initial idea was just to have people in character all night and in period costumes. Then it developed into a murder mystery story line that would encompass the entire evening with short loosely scripted but mostly improved pieces of the story that took place in the party as if it really were apart of the party. So that we did not have to disrupt things by forcing everyone to stop what they were doing to participate. We really want to have the actors just enjoying the party like everyone else, but in character, that way it may take a while for the guests to realize what is going on. Only our actors would be suspects and at the end of the evening the only part that the guests would be actively involved in is voting for the killer.

On a side note, we've been throwing a Halloween Party for years and we are pretty on top of decor and food etc. we just wanted to step the entertainment up a notch this year and the magician from last year wasn't cutting it.

What do you think? Bad idea? Good idea? Ever done this type of thing before? Have any advice?

At first I was confused and thought you were doing an RPG party. It's sounds like an interesting idea. Growing up we used to play this game where you'd leave the room and someone would pick the murderer then you'd come back and stare everybody in the eyes until you felt you knew who did it, this makes me think of that game. My only question is how is the crime going to be comitted without your guests figuring it out? The game I used to play was completely controlled, but your guests won't be, so how are you going to keep one (or more) from accidentally stumbling on the truth and blowing the whole mystery?

We did a Murder Mystery a couple of years ago with 'crew' acting their parts (10 actors) the murder had taken place just before the party started, manniquin covered by white sheet, Crew showed up in costume and character (one wife got very upset with my husbands Aunt, she thought she was hitting on her husband) we did have 2 acts, one to give the charcters and story line on why each would want to kill him, intermission guests asked questions and guessed the murderer, second act to tie everything up (best part the murderer was 'taken down' by a break away bottle)

Loved doing it, it was very Fun!!

Murder mysteries always add something special to a party, and as long as your game is designed as an "interactive" mystery, the party can continue and the mystery worked into it. I think your idea is fantastic, and your guests are going to love it. Be sure to keep us posted as to how it all goes!

Sounds lilke a fantastic idea!