{"id":2905,"date":"2026-06-16T10:53:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/?p=2905"},"modified":"2026-06-16T12:10:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:10:02","slug":"presence-is-not-optional-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/?p=2905","title":{"rendered":"Presence Is Not Optional Anymore"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80px\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-themepunch-revslider revslider\" data-modal=\"false\" data-slidertitle=\"R_Post menu\" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"rs-p-wp-fix\"><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<sr7-module data-alias=\"r_menu-s-11\" data-id=\"301\" id=\"menu\" class=\"rs-ov-hidden\" data-version=\"6.7.57\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-adjuster><\/sr7-adjuster>\n\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-content>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-slide id=\"menu-781\" data-key=\"781\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"menu-781-2\" class=\"sr7-layer\"><i class=\"fa-arrow-up\"><\/i><\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"menu-781-9\" class=\"sr7-layer\"><i class=\"fa-assistive-listening-systems\"><\/i>podcast<\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-txt id=\"menu-781-10\" class=\"sr7-layer\">MENU<\/sr7-txt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"menu-781-11\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/?p=2459\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOOK NOW!<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"menu-781-12\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DONATE<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"menu-781-16\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/#education\" target=\"_self\">EDUCATION<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"menu-781-17\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/#WORKS\" target=\"_self\">WORKS<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"menu-781-19\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/#news\" target=\"_self\">NEWS<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"menu-781-21\" class=\"sr7-layer\" href=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\" target=\"_self\">HOME<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<sr7-slide id=\"menu-782\" data-key=\"782\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-slide>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-content>\n\t\t\t\t\t<image_lists style=\"display:none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/the-shop-landing-img-2.jpg\" data-libid=\"2796\" title=\"the shop landing img 2\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly92aW5pY2l1c3NhbGxlcy5jby51ay93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNi8wNS90aGUtc2hvcC1sYW5kaW5nLWltZy0yLmpwZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Logo-Murmur.png\" data-libid=\"2494\" data-lib=\"medialibrary\" title=\"Logo Murmur\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly92aW5pY2l1c3NhbGxlcy5jby51ay93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNi8wMS9Mb2dvLU11cm11ci5wbmc=\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-src=\"\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Vini-open3.jpg\" data-libid=\"2731\" title=\"Vini open3\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-dbsrc=\"Ly92aW5pY2l1c3NhbGxlcy5jby51ay93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNi8wNC9WaW5pLW9wZW4zLmpwZw==\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/image_lists>\n\t\t\t\t<\/sr7-module>\n\t\t\t\t<script>\n\t\t\t\t\twindow.SR7 ??={};SR7.PMH ??={}; SR7.PMH[\"menu\"] = {cn:100,state:false,fn: function() { if (window._tpt!==undefined && window._tpt.prepareModuleHeight !== undefined) {  _tpt.prepareModuleHeight({id:\"menu\",el:[200,200,200,160,160],type:'hero',shdw:'0',gh:[200,200,200,160,160],gw:[1240,1240,1024,778,480],vpt:['-200px&#039;,&#039;-200px&#039;,&#039;-200px&#039;,&#039;-200px&#039;,&#039;-200px'],size:{fullWidth:true, fullHeight:false},mh:'0',onh:0,onw:0,bg:{color:'{\"orig\":\"transparent\",\"type\":\"solid\",\"string\":\"transparent\"}'},plType:'-1',plColor:'#333333'});   SR7.PMH[\"menu\"].state=true;} else if(SR7.PMH[\"menu\"].cn-->0)\tsetTimeout( SR7.PMH[\"menu\"].fn,19);}};SR7.PMH[\"menu\" ].fn();\n\t\t\t\t<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:105px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b4b5b99cce95ca61bb0ddafb45028301\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><strong>Presence Is Not Optional Anymore<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-425cd3bdc81ec27c7a8c10aa99ef41f2\" style=\"font-size:30px;line-height:1.4\"><strong>Examining Immersive Theatre Through Space, the Other, and Presence. What is at stake when you invite someone to a space of tension?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f4a59f2f654a509b9e136397127c782d\" style=\"font-size:16px\">We live in a time of constant distraction. We scroll, skim, consume, and move on. But then another pin, another quick video grabs our attention and pulls us elsewhere. Once again. How can we remain present when we have trained ourselves to seek stimulation elsewhere, to scroll, skim, and move on? We have become accustomed to experiencing life through these patterns of consumption, shaping how we learn, pay attention, connect to each other and make meaning.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3953feb157a27885d2d3c6fc317fde6d\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Theatre, however, asks us to stay. It asks us to remain in a room, with other people, sharing the same moment.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0aced53029842d124da613c47850b1ff\" style=\"font-size:16px\">What interests me about immersive practice is that it goes a step further. It does not simply ask us to stay. It invites us to inhabit a world.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13720eb5ccb50d12568edcc35aa26a9d\" style=\"font-size:14px\"><em>\u201cWhat I love the most about Vinicius\u2019 workshops is that from the very first moment you step in you are immersed in another world, a world in which your mind is set free to explore both the dark and the bright corners and go to places where it\u2019s never gone before!\u201d<\/em> (<strong>Miruna Mogo<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58c2469d338a7bed7cdcc7b5bc085b1c\" style=\"font-size:16px\">I believe immersive practices have the potential to create a kind of &#8220;call to action&#8221; button, not one that propels us elsewhere, but one that invites us to land. To land inside a narrative, inside an environment, inside a relationship with the people and things around us.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2180186a6172583256df03585eb2ec88\" style=\"font-size:16px\">If that is the case, then what makes that possible? What is it that allows a person to stop looking elsewhere and begin responding to where they are? Is it the performer? The narrative? The atmosphere? Or is it the space itself?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bfd025beb395698eee2e34ff62845377\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Perhaps presence does not emerge from a single element, but from the meeting of space, bodies, objects, atmosphere, narrative, and encounter.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-bd0aba32 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wp-container-content-231d8afb is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ee1c9ac2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-container-content-0733e5d0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"883\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-883x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-883x1024.jpg 883w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-259x300.jpg 259w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-129x150.jpg 129w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-662x768.jpg 662w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-1325x1536.jpg 1325w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1-350x406.jpg 350w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/photo-1.jpg 1512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 883px) 100vw, 883px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ebc71d8e wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-81e049ec30b0556ebe23ba87b7a7ed6d\"><strong>The Shop Floor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">photo by Murmur<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group wp-container-content-231d8afb is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-692d0fb7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ebc71d8e wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-f96796aa\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-97f1d0d1114027ebc8e94d9360efd875\"><strong>The Stock Room<\/strong> <\/p><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\" style=\"font-size:14px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1078\" src=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2915\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Colab-run-2-edited-350x197.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:41px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6d8c9b1e22d9e9faeca6fb49c419789d\" style=\"font-size:14px\"><em>\u201cI think what stood out the most to me about the workshop was the opening of the latent potential within the simple relationship between body and space. I found that there was complexity in simplicity. And that we as immersive audience goers\/humans crave that complex simplicity. The power of a look or a stare.\u201d <\/em><strong><em>(Ronnie Griffin)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49edad8e0043bda7c8f5ae6696650fbf\" style=\"font-size:16px\">This is what I want to investigate through this residency. Not simply presence itself, but how immersive experiences can create the conditions for presence to emerge. How can we create environments that ask something different of us? Environments that invite us to remain, to attend, and to inhabit a shared world together?<\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e3a05d5e351691063c63162542a2e6eb\" style=\"font-size:16px\">This is where my current residency begins. The Poetic of Space is not just investigating presence. It is investigating how space, bodies, atmosphere, narrative, and encounter might produce presence.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f798895b8439f23bf95fd8dba35a19af\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Perhaps the question is not how we capture attention, but how we create spaces where attention can <em>settle<\/em>.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-1024x606.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2933\" style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-150x89.jpg 150w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-768x454.jpg 768w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-1536x909.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-2048x1211.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/RonnieMillie-2b-350x207.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">photo by @optimist.collective with Millie Richards  and Ron<em>nie Griffin<\/em> <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-content-justification-center\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:calc( 0.5 * var(--wp--style--root--padding-right, var(--wp--custom--gap--horizontal)));padding-right:var(--wp--style--root--padding-right, var(--wp--custom--gap--horizontal));padding-bottom:calc( 0.5 * var(--wp--style--root--padding-right, var(--wp--custom--gap--horizontal)));padding-left:var(--wp--style--root--padding-left, var(--wp--custom--gap--horizontal))\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b073b61b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e37ce0ffe1890a59d6e8f92cb11a996b\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><strong>The Residency as Research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a7c31ef8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"height:4px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3a5a8a93c767434dfd8f0b931baed360\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>This residency is conceived as a space for artistic inquiry rather than production. The focus is on exploration, experimentation and reflection. Using five stories connected to <em>The Shop for Mortals and All Fools<\/em> as a point of departure, the residency investigates how environments can shape behaviour, perception and presence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5cdf873d1bf5fd124cd0d4432a8364ec\" style=\"font-size:16px\">At its heart lies what I call the <strong>No Plan Plan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9ce1cfbbf9410530e68bb8f141f111f7\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Rather than beginning with a fixed understanding of what immersive theatre should be, the process starts from a position of uncertainty. The intention is not to prove a theory but to discover what emerges when bodies, stories and environments are placed in dialogue with one another.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132e7e85a6359ce2926e491bf32f8129\" style=\"font-size:16px\">It creates room for accidents, contradictions and unexpected encounters. It allows ideas to emerge through inhabiting, responding and doing rather than through explanation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5b153301d15659c1a7bbe52d82a250e7\" style=\"font-size:14px\"><em>\u201cVinicius created an amazing environment that enabled me to feel safe to play, explore, and to trust what was evolving both within myself and amongst the others in the group as we journeyed together.\u201d (<\/em><strong><em>Emma Kirrage<\/em><\/strong><em>)<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2941\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Emma-Kirrage-JL1_0186-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">photo by @JamesLawson.photo with Emma Kirrage<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8a40167336709f49cd60dad53af99364\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><strong>The <strong>Presence as Practice<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f6bbc4b204dfb7642adc1e0c1d47f81\" style=\"font-size:16px\">The residency investigates immersive experience through one central relationship: <strong>the relationship between bodies and space.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e3e57db740122b4a31f418a3ab4f7fe9\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><strong>In immersive work, space is never neutral. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1ee425b890c5a665aec7e28657b5dc2b\" style=\"font-size:16px\">It carries memory, atmosphere, invitation and resistance. A room can suggest a narrative before a single word is spoken. A corridor can generate anticipation. A doorway can create tension. The performer enters into dialogue with that space, allowing the space to change them.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-9c466b01f3e8961be6c29fdcc3694722\"><em>\u201cIt gave me new insight into how to explore the relationship between space and body, rethinking the performer\u2019s identity&#8230;\u201d (<\/em><strong><em>Edylan Xinyu<\/em><\/strong><em>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-393babc6fdb55c975098b4bcfab00a23\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Meaning emerges through the encounter between body, space and the other. Choices, attention and movement reshape what unfolds.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3dfa0a671539778fe4cc533a700d2afe\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong><em>In this context, presence is not just a performance skill. <\/em><\/strong>It emerges through the relationship between body, space and the other. <strong><em>Is it the material of the work itself?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JL1_1022-350x233.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">photo by @JamesLawson.photo with Kate Webster<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1ae8d2a7e87dc47de5f1af21f6834955\" style=\"font-size:40px;line-height:1.4\"><strong>An Invitation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f6c1e21f1fa62dc84dd65d838f02d728\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Across the residency, participants will create a series of snapshots, encounters and interactions inspired by stories connected to <em>The Shop for Mortals and All Fools<\/em>. These fragments will become testing grounds.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5e742dda7c67ab288f2bf6561488ef27\" style=\"font-size:16px\">This residency is ultimately an invitation. An invitation to investigate how space shapes behaviour. How environments influence attention. How audiences shape performance. How stories emerge through encounter.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dc4969495e34373392201fc33d708169\" style=\"font-size:16px\">An invitation for actors, designers, writers and artists of all disciplines to rethink their practice through a simple question: what kinds of spaces invite us to remain?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d8be9dc7dde940d52d370f34e57917a4\">Perhaps the most urgent question facing immersive theatre today is not how we create more spectacle, more technology or more participation. How do we create situations in which people are truly present with one another?<\/p><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b57a30c6ca4c24917f3d4132e98a3dc7\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Immersive theatre is not simply about placing audiences inside a story. It is about creating the conditions for presence to emerge, critically, and passionate.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ca553c748b64e27bbaae88bc0194a471\" style=\"font-size:16px\">I believe those conditions begin with an awareness of where we are. A dialogue with the space. A willingness to allow the space to affect us and change us. A pull that lies on the performer. A catalyst between space and the other. Something dangerous. Here and now.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-295e7cc2428775062bf1c741cec815f4\"><em>\u201cIt was nice to exist as nothing more than myself in that space and be held by you and the other workshop folks!\u201d (<\/em><strong><em>Ronnie Griffin<\/em><\/strong><em>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4a5744111af82ee6accd41c9b1484946\" style=\"font-size:16px\">And if immersive performance can offer anything unique in our current moment, it may be this: A reminder that presence is not optional anymore.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:calc( 0.25 * var(--wp--style--root--padding-right, var(--wp--custom--gap--horizontal)))\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80px\"><\/div><\/div><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Presence Is Not Optional Anymore Examining Immersive Theatre Through Space, the Other, and Presence. What is at stake when you invite someone to a space of tension? We live in a time of constant distraction. We scroll, skim, consume, and move on. But then another pin, another quick video grabs our attention and pulls us &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/?p=2905\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Presence Is Not Optional Anymore<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2940,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"..\/public\/views\/revslider-page-template.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/June_covers_01.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2905"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2946,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2905\/revisions\/2946"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viniciussalles.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}