“The queen of the props, is the Mortality Machine herself.”
-Asya Gorovits, Theasy.com
The Mortality Machine, in the open position, before show previews.
The Mortality Machine, partially open, with view into the hidden room behind.
Mortality Machine
The Mortality Machine, a Sinking Ship Production, was an immersive theater experience that blended aspects of LARP, escape rooms and dance. For this production we were tasked with building the centerpiece prop of the show, the mortality machine.
Functionally, the bed of the machine was designed to allow a patron to lay on it; once on the bed, other patrons would interact with the machine itself (physical computing designed by Weston Harper). Should they solve the puzzles presented by the machine, the patron on the bed would be pulled through the wall into the secret room hidden behind the false back of the machine.
Design challenges included:
Structure could not be affixed to the venue
It needed a false back to hide the hidden room,
Be able to be reset quickly,
Most importantly it needed to work every time.
It needed to be free standing
The bed needed to quickly slide between rooms
Be able to support a patron’s weight when fully extended (full extension was 7ft free-floating)
Praise For Mortality Machine
“The Mortality Machine was something different. It was strange, profound, and heartfelt.” -David Spira, Room Escape Artist
”This show… BLEW MY MIND.” - Meytav Bayin, TDF.org
“The concept is terrific, and it’s meticulously executed. … The Morality Machine is brilliant” -Steve Capra, New York Critic