Deep Into Darkness
A Descent into the Mind of Edgar Allan Poe
Step into the haunted psyche of Edgar Allan Poe as he searches for his lost love in a tragic dream within a dream. This fully immersive, sandbox-style performance unravels his chaotic descent into madness, inviting audiences to witness, explore, and piece together the mystery in real time.
Vancouver’s largest immersive theatrical experience—modeled after NYC’s Sleep No More—this production transformed an entire three-floor building into a richly detailed, eerie 19th-century Victorian world. With 20+ intricately designed rooms and 19 interwoven storylines playing out simultaneously, audiences were free to follow any character, uncover hidden narratives, and interact directly with the space.
As Creative Producer, I was deeply involved in shaping every aspect of this world:
Narrative & Thematic Design: Crafted the poetic intro and outro, embedding essential rules seamlessly into the world while setting the tone for the audience’s journey. Contributed to the overarching story structure, shaping the flow of events over the two-hour experience. Developed interactive moments, theatrical gags, and layered narrative beats that heightened immersion and deepened emotional engagement.
Experience & Environment Design: Sourced and created props, helped dress and refine environments, and ensured interactive elements transformed the audience from passive spectators into active participants.
Puzzle & Game Integration: Designed hidden puzzles and cryptic challenges that rewarded exploration, deepening audience engagement.
Visual & Graphic Direction: Led signage and graphic design, created era-authentic visuals (including integrating actor portraits into aged period photographs by hand), and contributed to prop-making.
Production & Project Management: Helped set and coordinate deadlines, manage logistics, and facilitate performer scheduling and coordination. Ensured seamless collaboration across departments, balancing creative vision with the practical execution of transforming a massive space into a living, breathing theatrical world.
A tactile, sensory-driven world, this experience encouraged audiences to rifle through drawers, decode letters, and uncover Poe’s unraveling mind. With minimal dialogue, the story unfolded through movement, dance, projections, bespoke sound and lighting design, and rare, intimate one-on-one encounters with performers.
The result? A sold-out two-week run, three Jessie Theatre Award nominations, and a landmark moment in Vancouver’s immersive arts scene.
