Audience FAQ for Second Skin
What is an interactive adventure and how do I do it?
FAQ Categories
The Show
Ticketing
How to Prepare
The Venue
Access
Fringe
Contact Us
The Show
Photo by Dan Norman
What is Second Skin? It’s an eerie interactive adventure in which you, the audience member, are the protagonist. You move around the Seven Corners neighborhood as you try your hand at the role of a medium's assistant.
Wait, it's just me? Yes. Second Skin is designed to be experienced by one audience member at a time. When you purchase a ticket, you will reserve a specific start time for your experience. This start time is reserved for you alone. However, if you want to bring a friend, check out the Buddy System option described below.
How long is the show? Approximately 60 minutes. This depends on the choices you make and your walking speed. We allow an additional 10 minutes for transit and checkout, so plan to take up to 70 minutes.
So it’s being performed outside? Yes! Most of Second Skin takes place outdoors. Since we perform rain or shine, you'll want to dress for the weather. You should plan to be outside for about 60 minutes, but there's no way to be certain where the adventure will take you.
Am I going to be running around and jumping and stuff? The performance route is around one mile, and allows a fairly leisurely pace. No jumping required. And we don't suggest that you run. That only makes the spirits want to chase you.
How scary is this thing? There is some intense subject matter and some adult situations. If you're interested in hearing about specific trigger warnings, you can find a list here, or e-mail us at info@playableartworks.org. It's not like a haunted house, with people jumping out at you. But when you think about it, isn't life pretty scary to begin with?
Suuure, I guess, from a certain point of view.
Anyway, when you say interactive, what exactly do you mean? The show is delivered through an interactive phone app. You'll be directed to answer questions and make decisions by pushing buttons within the app. There are different tracks within the piece, so audience members will have different experiences. Finally, you'll have a decision to make that will determine the outcome of the show.
What kind of decision? You'll see.
Okay, that's ominous.
Ticketing
How do I get a ticket? To guarantee a spot, you must make a reservation through the Fringe website. You will also need at ticket which can be purchased when you arrive (cash preferred). If you are using a Fringe comp or multi-pass, it will be honored at the door. Once you make a reservation, you will need to sign up for a start time via this link. You need both a Fringe reservation and a Second Skin start time to reserve your spot. We strongly advise you to sign up for a start time immediately after making your reservation, because a) signing up early gives you the most flexibility and b) you can only sign up for a start time until midnight of the night before the show. After that, you’ll need to visit the venue to choose a start time.
Be sure to sign up for a start time for the same day that you made a reservation! If you sign up for a start time on a different day, we won’t be able to accommodate you, because all the slots are needed for people who made reservations for that day. If the day of your reservation arrives and you realize you haven’t signed up for a start time, stop by the venue (Marriott Courtyard Downtown near Seven Corners, 1500 S. Washington Ave) to sign up.
Are tickets available at the door? A portion of each day’s tickets are reserved for walk-ups. However, the available walk-up start times will vary each day depending on what times have been selected by reservation holders. To get a walk-up ticket, come to the Marriott Courtyard Downtown (1500 Washington Ave, at Seven Corners), follow the Fringe signs, and purchase a ticket (cash preferred). Patrons who arrive when the box office opens will have the best chance of getting tickets. The Box Office will be staffed at our location from 5pm for weekday shows and 12:30pm for weekend shows. It’s likely that you may need to come back later in the day for your assigned start time. Sometimes, though, there may be an open slot right away.
So how many tickets are available? Due to the intimate nature of this show, there are less than 200 tickets available for the entire run of the festival. Be sure to get your ticket early. See the information below for more info on how to reserve your spot.
I'm scared to go alone! Well, that’s OK. We won't judge you. If you have concerns about exploring the West Bank on your own, we invite you to utilize the Buddy System. This will allow you and one friend to experience the show together. Note that one person will be driving the experience, and the other will be listening in, kind of like another ghost following you around. Or, one ghost. There’s not another ghost following you, probably. We'll provide you with a headphone splitter so you can both listen to the same phone. To do this, make one reservation and select one start time, then plan to purchase a ticket for your buddy at the door when you arrive (cash preferred). Walk-in ticket buyers can also use the Buddy System. E-mail info@playableartworks.org with questions.
What start times are available? Fringe is only 11 days long, so you’ve got to pack in as many shows as possible, right? You can look at the daily available start times before you decide which performance date you want to make a reservation for. Remember, you aren’t able to select a start time until you first purchase a reservation for that same date. Generally, start times are available between 5:30pm and 10pm on weekdays, between 1pm and 10pm on Saturdays, and between 1pm and 6pm on Sundays.
What about artist passes? Normally, Fringe Artist Passes can get you a ticket if you’re present 5 minutes before curtain and seats are available. That’s how it works with us, too. If you’d like to use a Fringe Artist Pass, stop by the venue during our box office hours and see if there are open start times. If no one has claimed a start time with 5 minutes to go, you may be in luck!
Why is cash preferred at the door? It helps us cut down on fees and have more money that goes to the artists. We like to pay our artists so they can keep making work. More work is good!
I’m confused. Could you please summarize this “how to get a ticket” stuff?
Advance Ticketing
1. Make a reservation for Second Skin through the Fringe website.
2. Sign up for a start time on the correct day.
3. Make sure you’ve purchased a ticket to go with your reservation: you can do this in person (cash preferred) on the day of the show; multi-passes are also honored.
4. Show up at the venue at the start time you reserved.
5. Enjoy the show!Walk-up Ticketing
1. Visit the Second Skin venue (earlier in the day has a better chance of getting tickets)
2. Purchase a ticket (cash preferred) and reserve a start time at the box office.
3. Return at your assigned start time.
4. Enjoy the show!
Photo by Dan Norman
How to prepare
I made a reservation and signed up for a start time! What now? You should receive two more emails: one from the fictional Beyond Solutions with information about your “job interview,” and one from us the day before the show with a code to download the show. You’re already reading this FAQ to find out what else you need, so good job! You’re already ahead of the game.
Do I have to use a smartphone app? The show is delivered via app, so yes indeed, you will need to use the app. If you don’t have your own phone, see below. You’ll get instructions on how to download the app before you arrive at the theater if you prefer, but the Courtyard Marriott does have free wifi in case you need to download the app when you arrive. Make sure your phone is charged!
Do I need my own phone? If you have a smart phone that can download apps from the App Store or Google Play Store, you'll probably want to use your own phone. Be sure to bring headphones, too.
I don't have a phone like that, though! Never fear. We have a phone you can use. If you're unfamiliar with smart phones, we suggest you come a few minutes early to get a quick tutorial of how to use it.
You said something about headphones? If you're using your own phone and you have headphones you like, you're welcome to use those. However, we do have over-ear, wired headphones you can use. Keep in mind they will need to be plugged into your device using a standard audio jack, so if you have a Pixel 2, an iPhone 7, etc., consider bringing an adaptor. Over-ear headphones will give you the best listening experience, though, so we recommend those.
Do I need to do anything with my phone? We recommend that you install the Playable Artworks app (via the Play Store or App Store) and download the Second Skin tour before you arrive, so that you can make sure everything is in good working order.
Where’s the coupon code I need to download the tour? Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll need to a code to download the tour. We’ll email that to you the day before the show. If you reserved your ticket late in the day, it’s possible you won’t get it until the morning of the show.
I heard there’s more to the show than what happens on site. What’s up with that? After you purchase a ticket, you’ll get access to materials that you can explore at will. You can learn more about the world of the play and pick up clues that may change your experience of the performance.
There’s homework?! Do I have to do it? Not at all! You will still be able to enjoy the show if you don’t look at any of the other available material.
What should I bring? Definitely bring your cell phone, and be sure it's charged. (If you don't have a cell phone, it's not the end of the world, see above.) A pair of headphones is also useful, if you've got 'em (over-ear headphones are best!). You'll want to dress for the weather, which might mean bringing an umbrella. Wear comfy shoes, because you won't be doing much sitting during the performance. Other than that, come as you are.
Anything I shouldn’t bring? We don’t have a bag check, so we recommend that you travel light. Hauling too much stuff might get tedious.
My email from Fringe said I should arrive 30 minutes early to get my “show token.” Do I need to do that? No! If you show up early, you’re welcome to hang out in the main floor lobby of the Marriott. Maybe shoot for 10 minutes early. We won’t have tokens, since you don’t have to stand in line or jockey for a good seat. You will have the best seat in the house!
Venue
Where is the venue? The Marriott Courtyard Downtown is in the Seven Corners neighborhood at (1500 S. Washington Ave, Minneapolis), next door to Town Hall Brewery. They’re also a sponsor of our show, so thanks Marriott! Come in the front door, turn right, and follow the Fringe signs upstairs to check in for your start time or to buy tickets. Accessibility note: staff are able to provide service on the ground floor for patrons who are unable to navigate stairs. If possible, please email info@playableartworks.org when you purchase a ticket so that we can arrange this as well as the alternate, accessible route for the performance.
How do I get there?/Where do I park? Parking near Seven Corners is a pain; we all know it! If possible, biking and public transit are great options. There is a bike rack and a Nice Ride station steps away from our venue. If you’re coming by bus, take the 252, 118, 22, 7 or 3 towards downtown Minneapolis and get off at Cedar Ave and Washington. If you’ve coming by train, use the Green Line West Bank Station and take the stairs up to Cedar Ave. Walk north on Cedar Ave around the curve and Marriott will be on your right.
If you do drive, there is limited metered street parking in the neighborhood on Washington Ave., S. 15th Ave, and Cedar Ave. Some surface lots are available on S. 3rd Street, though one is cash only. There is a covered parking lot adjacent to the Marriott Courtyard Downtown, though check the signs to see if event pricing is in effect (for example, during downtown sporting events), as the price goes up significantly.
Access
Is the performance physically accessible? The main route of the show includes one flight of stairs. There is a step-free, wheelchair-accessible track available, however, the elevator can only be accessed during certain hours, so please be sure to select a start time before 6:00pm on Wednesdays or Thursdays, or contact us for other options. To make sure we're ready for you, if you would like to use a stair-free performance track, please e-mail us at info@playableartworks.org when you purchase your tickets, or at least 24 hours before your performance.
What can you tell me about triggers? There is some intense subject matter and some adult situations. If you're interested in hearing about specific trigger warnings, you can find a list here, or e-mail us at info@playableartworks.org.
There’s another accessibility issue you haven’t considered. That is likely! We’re far from perfect. If there’s something we can do to make this show more accessible to you, please contact us: info@playableartworks.org
The Fringe
What else can you tell me about the Minnesota Fringe Festival? It's eleven days of adventurous art made by scrappy artists from near and far. Learn more about the 26-year-old festival here, and see the other shows in the festival line-up here.
Where can I get tickets? Right here!
Contact Us
If you have other questions or concerns, please get in touch!
Email: info@playableartworks.org
Back to the main Second Skin page
Photo by Dan Norman
Photo by Dan Norman