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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.

1.

Masquerade

2.

Drunk Shakespeare

3.

Just in Time

4.

The Black Mirror Experience

5.

The Circuit: An Immersive Silent Disco Ballet

1.

Masquerade

Off-Broadway
Musical

Experience The Phantom of the Opera like never before at Masquerade, an immersive reimagining of the long-running Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Under the light of that famous glittering chandelier, audiences step into the world of the Paris Opera House, where a young soprano is caught between her love, Raoul, and the obsessive, mysterious Phantom who introduces her to a dark, forbidden world of music in the opera house's shadows.

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Masquerade

2.

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

3.

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 the performers interact 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 the stars than this.

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Just in Time

4.

The Black Mirror Experience

You might not want to live in the dystopian world of Netflix's Black Mirror forever, but you can spend an hour there in The Black Mirror Experience at The Shed. Virtual reality meets live action in this new, original story inspired by the TV series, where you get to tour the showroom of a tech company making LifeAgents — robots that will help you solve your every problem. Or will they?

Check back for information on The Black Mirror Experience tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

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The Black Mirror Experience

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Breakfast at Liberty Bagels

Regularly named one of the city’s best bagel shops, the unassuming Liberty Bagels is the perfect spot to get a classic NYC breakfast sandwich.

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Macy’s Herald Square

One of the world’s largest stores, Macy’s is a sight to behold, especially when it’s decked out for the holidays.

5.

The Circuit: An Immersive Silent Disco Ballet

Off-Broadway
Dance
Outdoor theatre

Dance your way through the streets of Brooklyn at this wholly unique experience inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde. At this "silent disco ballet," audiences put on headphones to hear the show's soundscape — characters' dialogue and their internal thoughts, a pulsing EDM score live-mixed with the ambient sound — while following a troupe of dancers around various locations in the DUMBO neighborhood. With the action unfolding all around you, each person can have a different experience based on where they choose to look and explore.

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The Circuit: An Immersive Silent Disco Ballet