The Epic Journey Behind Fallout 76's Wasteland Theatre: Exclusive Interview with the Director

The Wasteland Theatre Company is a drama troupe that stages live play productions within the popular game Fallout 76. Established in 2021, the group showcases a diverse selection of classic plays, predominantly from the works of William Shakespeare, as well as other playwrights like Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll. With the assistance of community streamers, the company presents their plays live on Twitch using custom-built theaters in the Fallout 76 landscape.

In an interview with Northern Harvest, the artistic director and Founder of The Wasteland Theatre Company, Game Rant gained insight into the formation and current operations of the company. Harvest shared details about the company's performances within the Fallout 76 world, play selection process, key technical elements for successful shows, and the growth of the company from its modest beginnings. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

The Wasteland Theatre Company is a community theater group that specializes in live performances of classical theater within the virtual world of Fallout 76. Our mission is to revive the performing arts within the post-nuclear apocalyptic and retro-futuristic universe of the game. Comprised of both seasoned and novice actors and crew members, our passionate team is dedicated to adapting and delivering theater performances within this beloved video game.

Q: What inspired the Wasteland Theatre Company’s development, specifically the concept of mixing theatre with video games?

The Wasteland Theatre Company selects plays to perform, including adaptations of works by Shakespeare, Dickens, and Carroll. How does the company decide which plays to include in their repertoire?

We opt for classic productions, aged over a century, primarily because these are plays that would have been familiar to the inhabitants of the Fallout universe, which diverged from our current timeline sometime in the 1950s. The likes of The Phantom of the Opera or The Rocky Horror Picture Show would not have existed in the Fallout timeline. Moreover, our choice of productions is sufficiently old to have entered the public domain, enabling us to perform them without any copyright restrictions. Our selection of more recent performances also considers the themes of the plays. For instance, in our rendition of Romeo & Juliet, we replaced the Montagues and Capulets with the in-game factions of Raiders and Settlers.

Additionally, the game itself may inspire our choice of play, be it a specific article of clothing or an item. For instance, our upcoming production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus was partly motivated by the conflict between two NPCs, Knight Shin and Paladin Rahmani, in the Brotherhood of Steel storyline within the game.

Q: Can you analyze how the adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, titled "Alice in the Wasteland," aligns with the Fallout 76 world based on its recent performance?

We chose to use the Gerstenberg adaptation as our foundation, as it blended elements from both stories. We deliberately avoided replicating the widely recognized Disney version. While we remained faithful to the original Dickens text for most of the script, we incorporated Fallout-inspired changes to the characters and storyline. The exceptional dedication and talent of our actors truly brought our story to life, immersing themselves fully in their eccentric, enchanting, and unpredictable roles.

How has the Fallout 76 gaming community and the wider audience responded to the performances of the Wasteland Theatre Company?

The Fallout 76 community is known for its welcoming and supportive nature, and they have warmly embraced our performances. The majority of players have praised our endeavors as we strive to take risks and experiment. Despite initial skepticism from some critics who doubted the existence of theater in a post-apocalyptic world, their criticism has only fueled our determination to defy expectations and expand our artistic boundaries. Our performances remain authentic, natural, and easily accessible, honoring the unique atmosphere of the Wasteland.

A: How do you handle the technical aspects of staging and streaming a live performance? Are there any specific challenges you encounter?

We utilize player-created stages made up of in-game elements for our performances. Each stage is custom-built to enhance the actors and the narrative they are portraying. Since player-controlled characters lack facial expressions and have limited mobility, our Director Jonathan Thomas, drawing from his real-world stage management experience, employs stage lighting and blocking techniques to highlight the speakers. Additionally, we incorporate in-game movements such as emotes to further captivate our audience's attention. Unlike traditional theatre, we also have to tackle the hazards of performing in the post-nuclear apocalyptic Wasteland.

We have experienced disruptions during our dress rehearsals due to griefers, encountering Super Mutants, irradiated giant scorpions, and even a friendly mutated beaver. To ensure safety, we have designated a security guard to handle any non-player threats during our performances. We kindly request that our cast, crew, and audience refrain from using their own weapons during the show. It's important to note that our theater operates within the Wasteland.

Q: Can you provide information about the members of the Wasteland Theatre Company, including actors and crew? Are they exclusively sourced from the Fallout 76 gaming community, or are there individuals from outside the game involved as well?

Content:

All the members of our actors and crew team are sourced from the Fallout 76 community. Becoming a part of the show requires owning and playing Fallout 76 (although you can still watch us on stream if you don't play it). Our team consists of individuals with a diverse range of experience levels. Some possess degrees in theatre, while others are teachers, voice actors, or simply enthusiastic about trying their hand at Shakespeare in a digital performance space. We welcome people from all backgrounds and experience levels, as our goal is to create a safe, accessible, and enjoyable environment for anyone to explore the performing arts. Perhaps our participants may even be inspired to venture into their own communities and engage in acting or simply appreciate a real-world show.

Q: Have any renowned streamers or notable figures from the Fallout 76 community been involved as actors or crew members in the Wasteland Theatre Company?

The Wasteland Theatre Company is motivated to continue producing live performances within Fallout 76 due to the support and encouragement received from renowned role players Lucy and Ray Middelthon, who streamed our plays on Twitch. Our cast includes actors from diverse roleplay groups such as the Free States Militia and New Responders. Regardless of their fame, we are thrilled to have talented individuals join our troupe as we aim to celebrate the arts, enjoy ourselves, and pioneer in our endeavors.

Are there any upcoming productions planned by the Wasteland Theatre Company?

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As we enter the initial stages of practice for our upcoming presentation of Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece Coriolanus, set in the nascent Roman Republic, we are thrilled to announce our unique adaptation. This rendition is expertly placed in the post-nuclear aftermath of Appalachia, embodying an intriguing fusion of classical drama and the Fallout 76 setting. Expect a grand spectacle featuring a multitude of intense action sequences, explosions, and, of course, the quintessential Shakespearean insults, all carefully tailored to retain the essence and integrity of the original play.

Shakespeare’s plays prioritize storytelling, with language and rhythm being crucial. We do not modernize performances, but may adjust the setting to fit our Fallout universe. Text is carefully edited to ensure shows run for under an hour. Our adaptation process maintains the plot but may remove irrelevant sections to engage the audience. Due to limited server capacity, we employ role-doubling and character merging. In Coriolanus, we combine Volumnia, Virgilia, and young Martius, while striving to preserve Shakespeare's intended message. Each performance teaches us something new, highlighting what works and what doesn't, but we embrace every moment of it.

How does the Wasteland Theatre Company interact with the broader Fallout 76 community outside of their performances?

We understand that we are a part of a larger community. Our actors and crew are actively involved in various other community groups, and we all strive to support each other. The Fallout community is teeming with incredibly talented individuals who organize events such as live dance parties, competitions, role play, machinima, podcasts, and more. Our theatre company serves as a gathering place where these passionate people come together to collaborate on a Shakespearean production, setting aside their already busy lives and other community commitments.

Have there been any distinct challenges or obstacles encountered by the Wasteland Theatre Company throughout its journey thus far?

The primary hurdle lies in the coordination of rehearsals due to the diverse life schedules and geographical locations of our team members. Some individuals have parental responsibilities, others work during evenings, while some are committed to their own gaming communities. Consequently, this becomes our most significant challenge. Jonathan Thomas, our stage manager and play director, assumes the demanding role of transforming written scripts into captivating performances. He excels in problem-solving and finding innovative ways to overcome the limitations of the medium, ensuring our audience comprehends and appreciates our work.

Q: Are there any collaborations or partnerships that the Wasteland Theatre Company has established with other gaming communities or organizations?

Looking ahead, what is the long-term vision for the Wasteland Theatre Company?

We will continuously enhance our skills, bring in fresh talents, and enjoy the process of refining our craft through every show. There are countless captivating Shakespeare plays that we have yet to explore, and we hope to continue performing in-game and via live streaming for as long as possible. Who knows, perhaps our work can even inspire players in future MMORPGs to form their own Shakespeare troupes. It would be fantastic to showcase a live performance at upcoming video game conferences or participate in panel discussions about our experience of bringing live theatre into a video game. Ultimately, we aspire to leave a lasting legacy not only in the gaming world but also in the realm of Shakespeare. Above all, this journey has reignited a passion for theatre among most of us and has rekindled our love for Shakespeare's timeless works. These experiences make it all worthwhile.

Fallout 76 is currently available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.