In this four week series, we will dive deep into the tools and methodologies used by Tom Pearson and Third Rail Projects to create meaningful immersive theatrical experiences.
Mondays 2:00-4:00 pm (EST)
July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026
Link in bio.
📣 Zach Morris — Co-Artistic Director of @thirdrailprojectsnyc joins MII 2026.
Co-creator of Then She Fell, The Grand Paradise, Sweet & Lucky and Ghost Light at Lincoln Center Theater — Zach has spent over two decades at the forefront of site-specific, immersive and experiential performance with Third Rail Projects, one of the most internationally recognized companies in the field.
His work has been honored with a Chita Rivera Award and two BESSIE Awards, with collaborations garnering a Drama Desk nomination, a Peabody Award and an Emmy Award.
At MII 2026 Zach is leading:
“Designing Embodied Immersive Gatherings” 💥
Practical tools and perspectives for creating experiences that place the audience at the very heart of the storytelling. Designed for everyone — whether you are creating a performance, a branded event, a conference or a product launch. This workshop will offer something meaningful for you and for those you are gathering.
📍This work shop will be held at @arshtcenter a MII2026 partner.
Link in bio👆to register
MII2026 is supported by @perezfamilyfoundation@miamidadearts@downtownmia@greatermiamicvb
Study for GESTURES for Rising Waters
Inverno (Winter), Dormancy GESTURE
1. Wrap yourself inside a resurrection.
2. Flood.
As I was putting this together, I realized that I had not performed my own work in over 8 years! Daunting realization, but also somehow appropriate. My research in Venice, within the acquapelago of the lagoon led me along the paths of the Barene (salt marshes) that form the natural barrier and flood control for the islands and supports its habitats for a diversity of bird, plant, fish and other sea life which sustains the population. These, the canals of Venice, and the concept of #geniusloci were my prompts.
Time for some thanks: I am beyond grateful for the many weeks of creative process in Italy, courtesy of the @emilyharveyfoundation residency shared with fellow artists @pete_wyer_composer@gelseybell (who improvised the gorgeous vocals here) @mechilds@d_media_p_mom_a and @turquoiseroof — I’m grateful also to @morganoharaartist for inviting us all into her space at @cavanadeimiracoli to share our work and process.
First comment below contains more info on the project. Thank you for viewing and reading…
And stay tuned for more! 😘— Tom
#GesturesForRisingWaters #EcoPerformance #ArtForPlanet
P.S. I did not choreograph the passing of the boats and gondolas but could not have timed them any better if I had.
Jennine Willett joins MII 2026 📣
Co-Artistic Director of @thirdrailprojectsnyc
Jennine is one of the creative forces behind Then She Fell and some of the most celebrated immersive work of the last two decades. Her practice centers on story as a catalyst for connection and at MII 2026 she’s bringing that directly into the room with you.
Here’s what she’s bringing to Miami:
🎤 KEYNOTE — “Story as Immersive Infrastructure”
How essential narratives that foster empathy and human-centered perspectives can serve as powerful infrastructure across a wide range of experiences.
🛠️ WORKSHOP — “Inside the Narrative: Building Immersive Performance from Lived Experience”
In collaboration with @davidbfeiner , Co-Executive Director of Albany Park Theater Project — her creative partner on the critically acclaimed “Port of Entry”
Together they’ll guide participants from ethnographic story-gathering to designing multi-sensory, spatial, participatory worlds — using tools and methodologies developed directly through their work on Port of Entry.
And this workshop? It’s never been offered publicly before.
In Jennine and David’s own words:
“We’ve collaborated for 12 years now - but we’ve never offered a public workshop together before. In Miami, we’re excited to share a glimpse into our collaboration on Port of Entry and the ways that APTP and TRP each bring their own methods and practices that complement one another so well — joining our strengths to generate something truly distinctive.”
June 4–7, 2026 · Downtown Miami · Limited seats.
🔗 Link in bio to register.
Jennine and Zach will both be presenting at this year's Miami Immersive Intensive.
Produced by Juggerknot Theatre Company and Live Arts Miami, the Miami Immersive Intensive brings together performers, producers, directors, writers, and creative instigators to explore what’s next in immersive and site-specific storytelling.
Over four days in the heart of Downtown Miami, participants train with the artists and companies reshaping the rules of immersive experiences.
New for 2026, the program culminates with the Miami Immersive Summit, a full day of keynotes, panels, and conversations with artists, producers, and innovators leading the global conversation in immersive experience. Presented in partnership with The Immersive Experience Institute.
See Link in Bio for more information.
Dormancy GESTURE
Wrap yourself inside
a resurrection.
#artistresidency #venice #GesturesForRisingWaters
Performance by @tompearsonnyc at @cavanadeimiracoli in Venice
One of the first prompts I wrote (during Carnevale) for my new manu/script “GESTURES for Rising Waters” from the early part of my residency with @emilyharveyfoundation which now feels like forever ago…
Carnevale GESTURE
1. Mask
2. Unmask
#fluxus #Venice #GesturesForRisingWaters
We will discuss considerations around crafting individual scenes within the context of longer-form performance experiences and how to create cohesion in works that feature non-sequential or multi-linear action.
#immersiveart #ImmersiveExperience #scripting #ImmersiveTheatre #immersivedesign #playwriting #immersiveexperience #immersive #ImmersiveTheater #scriptwriting #immersivetheater #immersiveperformance #immersivetheatre
"My experience in Zach Morris’ course was illuminating, mind-bending, and creatively stimulating. He is an approachable, respectful, and talented educator in addition to being a world-renowned artist. Zach’s curriculum was meticulously constructed with entry points for all levels of expertise... A must for any creative."
#immersiveart #ImmersiveExperience #scripting #ImmersiveTheatre #immersivedesign #playwriting #immersiveexperience #immersive #ImmersiveTheater #scriptwriting #immersivetheater #immersiveperformance #immersivetheatre
Navigating the intersection of memory and ecology. 🇮🇹
As a current resident at the @emilyharveyfoundation in Venice, Tom Pearson ( @tompearsonnyc — co-director @thirdrailprojectsnyc ) is drafting “GESTURES for Rising Waters,”—a score book of Fluxus-inspired scenarios designed to address climate chaos through multimedia audience activations.
A study in environmental vulnerability and the hydraulics of memory, the work will eventually invite participatory engagement, intervention, and co-creation opportunities in an iterative series of engagements. TBD.
You can follow Tom’s journey and the development of the work here and at @tompearsonnyc —
#Fluxus #SiteSpecific #PerformanceArt #ClimateArt #ArtistResidency
Writing for Immersive Theater and Experiential Performance
Zoom Workshops w/ Zach Morris
Thursdays 7:00-10:00 pm (EST)
March 26, April 2, 9, 16
Over the four weeks, we’ll investigate practical tools and techniques for the creation of monologue/story-telling scenes and scenarios where a performer is in dialogue with audience members. We will also discuss considerations around crafting individual scenes within the context of longer-form performance experiences and how to create cohesion in works that feature non-sequential or multi-linear action.
