Upcoming Workshop Offerings

In this four-week, four-part series—one of Third Rail Projects’ signature workshop offerings—we will dive deep into the core tools and methodologies used by Tom Pearson and Third Rail Projects to create meaningful, audience-centered immersive theatrical experiences. We will explore the art of generative devising, directing from the audience perspective, sensory design, world-building, and structural frameworks that support long-term creative health and production durability. Through a mix of in-class instruction, exercises, and shared dialogue, we will examine how to translate initial impulses into physical material, map non-linear sequences, and build sustainable models for producing and positioning independent works. Additionally, this session features a brand-new segment, Creative Admin, designed to equip independent creators with essential strategies for career sustainability. Together, we will demystify the business and logistical side of art-making—covering funding and grant positioning, self-produced versus commissioned models, marketing, press and branding, budgeting, and long-term production durability.

NOTE: This is a four-part series that will build cumulatively and participants will sign-up for the full series (all four dates) to participate. We cannot accommodate drop-ins for this class.

To ensure an atmosphere conducive to sharing and collaboration, these sessions are not recorded. However, key takeaways and segments of in-class exercises will be distributed as PDFs, notes, or links after the sessions

$350 for full Series

Limited number of subsidized tickets available for those experiencing financial hardship: $250

Enter code ISFTS at checkout

SESSION BREAKDOWN

February 17: Generative Practices and Devising

Moving from initial impulse to physical and textual material, we will examine somatic response techniques, movement and memory metaphors, and structural constraints that clear creative blocks to establish a self-sustaining, replenishable generative loop. Together, we will tackle the core challenge of writing and scripting interactive performance scores—learning how to design for narrative clarity while embracing the inherent unpredictability of audience participation.

February 24: Mapping and Structuring from the Audience Perspective

Designing non-linear architectures, spatial pathways, and audience agency, we will explore directing from the audience viewpoint, mapping multi-room tracks, and stacking scenarios. Through a series of invitations, provocations, and reveals, we will look at structuring one-on-one encounters, partner negations, and threshold interactions anchored in care and consent—building trust to earn a series of organic "yeses" without ever forcing audience compliance.

March 3: Sensory Design and World-Building

Exploring tactile immersion, environmental design, and site-responsive environments, we will examine how to design far beyond sight and sound. We will look at incorporating smell, texture, atmospheric detail, and the invisible shifts in felt presence that shape a sense of place—all while treating physical rooms like poetic stanzas where spatial enjambments build tension, narrative depth, and discovery.

March 10: Creative Admin: Business Models, Marketing, and Sustainability

Strategies for long-term sustainability, funding, press, positioning, and production durability. We will discuss project narrative framing for grants and residencies, self-produced vs. commissioned models, critical press positioning, and post-show care for ensemble and audience alike, with consideration for how these all differ across global cultural systems. We will also discuss iterative practice as it relates to body of work and career/production trajectories.

Please note that ticket purchases are final and non-refundable.

For any questions about this workshop, please reach out to info@thirdrailprojects.com