Welcome to the Atlantic Center.
A Master Artist was murdered hours before the start of the residency. Only Central Florida’s leading Detective can solve the mystery amongst the chaos of new Associate Artists arriving and a Director trying to stick to the plan.
Let’s begin with a tour…
Above: The in-story pamphlet given to the Associate Artists (audience) during the exclusive performance that took place on January 5th, 2020.
Story.
Murder at the Atlantic Center began as a short story and evolved into an explorable play set in a fictional version of a real location (the Atlantic Center for the Arts). The story moves through a physical space with a light-hearted tone (in the spirit of the movie Clue) but with no real murder (hopefully). The audience plays the role of Associate Artists beginning their residency. As events unfold around them, the audience chooses to simply follow and observe, or seek opportunities to participate further by freely exploring locations, asking questions of the characters they encounter, and leaving their mark through art projects.
Narrative.
Original concept: a short story from the perspective of Detective McLarge.
Script.
Script adaptation: lines and direction for each actor but also allowing for improvisation with the audience, who had the role of Associate Artists.
Events.
Timeline of fictional events: a simple behind-the-scenes way for the actors to keep track of who, what, and where.
Case Facts:
8:50am — Maintenance finds body & calls Detective.
9:45am — Associate Artists arrive, greeted by Director.
10:00am — Detective arrives.
10:05am — Director begins tour of Atlantic Center, as if all is normal. Associate Artists meet 2 of 3 Master Artists & learn about sudden memorial.
10:18am — Tour ends at Cafeteria. Associate Artists choose to stay with Detective or explore. Detective begins investigation with Chef.
10:23am — Body is missing.
10:30am — Detective & Associate Artists interview Maintenance, Director, & Master Artists. Staff is more honest without Detective present.
11:18am — Bullet case found at Crime Scene.
11:20am — A gun is found at Check-in Table.
11:30am — Memorial beings in Theater.
11:35am — Loud crash in back room. There’s a body.
12:00pm — Suspect(s) apprehended.
