Be part of the action at these immersive theatre shows in New York

Discover all the immersive experiences you can attend in New York right now, in which audiences don't just watch a show, but are also an active part of it.

Gillian Russo
Written byGillian Russo

The best theatre makes you feel like you've entered another world without ever leaving your seat. But sometimes, watching that world unfold from a distance isn't enough — and that's where immersive theatre comes in. Immersive shows dissolve the barrier between performers and audiences, inviting you to become part of the action.

These shows vary in degree of immersion — some just involve following the characters around, while others allow audience members to make choices that inform the plot. Immersive shows can also differ by dress code — you may or may not be encouraged to dress to theme. Almost every immersive experience, though, completely transforms its venue into the world of the show. And those settings are as varied as any other type of theatre, from nightclubs to old-fashioned mansions to old hotels and more.

Drunk Shakespeare

Cabaret

Just in Time

Viola's Room

Drunk Shakespeare

Off-Broadway
21+

Get in on the boozy, bawdy fun of this long-running New York hit. In Drunk Shakespeare, five actors perform an abridged version of a Shakespeare play, except one takes five shots of liquor first. You, the audience, remain in your seats, but as the performers keeps the drunk actor's antics in check and the play moving forward, they're talking directly to you and performing among you.

You can even purchase a special package that lets you sit on a throne, enjoy champagne and caviar, and make decisions at certain points in the show. And of course, anyone can order a drink for themselves.

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Drunk Shakespeare

Cabaret

Broadway
Musical
Classic
Stars on stage
Award winner

Willkommen to a Cabaret like no other. For the latest Broadway revival, the August Wilson Theatre has been totally transformed into the Kit Kat Club. A pre-show features music and dance performances in the venue's lounge, immediately giving off the nightclub feel. During the actual show, you're seated on all sides of the stage and the actors move all around you. You might even be pulled up on stage!

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Cabaret

Just in Time

Broadway
Jukebox musical
Stars on stage

Bobby Darin was at his best when performing live, so the creators of Just in Time, about the 20th-century singer's life, wanted to recreate that vibe. The Circle in the Square becomes a 1950s nightclub where Jonathan Groff, as Darin, interacts with the audience, especially the ones at the cabaret tables in the center of the venue. You won't get more up close and personal with a star than this.

Check back for information on Just in Time tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

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Just in Time

Viola's Room

Off-Broadway

From the creators of the celebrated immersive show Sleep No More comes Viola's Room, a 50-minute sensory experience narrated, through headphones, by Helena Bonham Carter. Audiences hear a thrilling tale adapted from Barry Pain’s 1901 gothic short story "The Moon-Slave," walking through the world of the story as they do so.

Check back for information on Viola's Room tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

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Viola's Room

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